Graphic Designers and Stock Photos

To use an image for commercial purposes, more often than not, the recipient of the image (the customer) is required to hold rights to that image otherwise they run risk of breaking copyright law.

Stock photography can be obtained for free, however sale of the images in their original state or combined with additional image (as in the case of a banner) is strictly prohibited.

I'm sure many people who purchase such graphics - banner, headers, sales pages and the like actually don't realize that they are sometimes breaking laws.

Those designers who conduct business in a legal professional manner however might be met with complete and utter shock when they request that the client purchases images to obtain legal rights.

"Can't you just use a photo from your library?" is a common one.

Now, designers can hold a library, but the clincher is, they cannot pass on rights of purchased stock images nor can they sell free stock images - in most cases.

In a lot of circumstances, the customer would pay more for use of the photograph alone than they would the entire asking price of the graphic.

In a nutshell, a professional designer / agency will either request that the customer purchases rights to the image or they will simply design organically without use of stock images.

With the popularity of reverse image searching emerging the chances of being caught out from unlawful use of copyright images is increasing rapidly.


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A sample from a popular free stock photo site:


You may not use the Image

• For pornographic, unlawful or other immoral purposes, for spreading hate or discrimination, or to defame or victimise other people, sociteties, cultures.
• To endorse products and services if it depicts a person.
• In a way that can give a bad name to SXC or the person(s) depicted on the Image.
• As part of a trademark, service mark or logo.
• SELLING AND REDISTRIBUTION OF THE IMAGE (INDIVIDUALLY OR ALONG WITH OTHER IMAGES) IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN! DO NOT SHARE THE IMAGE WITH OTHERS!

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Have your used any with success? I ask this because I have used maybe 3 or 4 for header designs on this site and each one were not good at all.

They produce a portfolio with great looking banners, headers etc but from my experience once they create for you its nothing like what they have in their portfolio they are so basic its something even I could do myself and I could also get much better from fiverr.

Now I am just talking about the people I have used on here, there are probably some very good true graphic designers on here I have just not found them yet and I am guessing the price would be more than what you mention.

I agree with the above posts...simply charge the acquired amount for the stock image and hand over the authority and ownership to the client. This means you can charge both for the graphic design work and the stock-imagery itself.

Hope this helps,

- All Round Banners.

I personally download the images from sxc.hu for the reference to make it vector in illustrator. If you want good quality image cutouts then go to planetrenders

Good luck

you can go to istockphoto.com , fotolia.com, dreamstime, sxc and tons of others. how they can maintain it is simple.. purchase photo there.. make a banner ad and you're done.. they spend 1-3 bucks on photo so it's pro. 7 bucks or plus profit.. usually this companies are from countries with low standards so they can make it affordable..