In this digital age, selling vector designs has become a profitable opportunity for designers. While Shutterstock is one of the most well-known platforms for selling vector art, there are several Shutterstock alternatives that offer excellent marketplaces for reaching a broader audience.
What is Microstock?
Microstock platforms refer to a type of stock photography or vector art sold in large quantities at affordable prices. Designers and photographers upload their creative work to these platforms, allowing others to license vector art for various projects.
What is Shutterstock?
Shutterstock is one of the most popular microstock platforms, known for its vast collection of images, videos, and vector art. It allows creatives to sell their work to millions of buyers, providing a lucrative way for designers to monetize their artwork. However, the competition is fierce, and some creators may look for alternative platforms that better suit their needs or offer higher royalties.
5 Alternatives to Shutterstock for Selling Vectors
Vectorency. Vectorency is a rising platform designed specifically for selling vector and svg cut files/crafters. As a marketplace focused on SVG files and cut designs, it allows creatives to sell their vector art to customers using cutting machines like Cricut or Silhouette. Vectorency's user-friendly approach and focus on the crafting community make it an excellent alternative to larger platforms. With features like secure copyright management and easy selling tools, it’s becoming a go-to platform for designers looking to target the craft and DIY markets.
Adobe Stock. Adobe Stock is tightly integrated with Adobe Creative Cloud, making it a preferred choice for designers who already use Adobe’s suite of tools. This platform allows artists to sell vector designs, photos, and videos. While Adobe Stock offers competitive commission rates and a massive audience, one of its standout features is the seamless integration into apps like Illustrator and Photoshop, making the submission process quick and intuitive for Adobe users.
Freepik. Freepik offers a vast marketplace for vector art, illustrations, and stock photography. Creators can sell their vector files to a wide audience, including graphic designers, marketers, and students. Freepik's subscription model ensures that artists can earn consistently from downloads, but there’s a tradeoff with lower royalties compared to other platforms. However, the exposure to millions of users makes it a worthwhile alternative for some creators.
123RF. 123RF is another major player in the microstock industry, allowing creatives to sell vectors, photos, and other design assets. It boasts millions of users and is well-known for its user-friendly submission process. One of the benefits of 123RF is its transparent royalty structure, which allows artists to earn up to 60% on each sale, depending on their contribution level.
Creative Market. Creative Market focuses on high-quality, unique vector designs and digital assets like fonts, templates, and mockups. Creatives can set their own prices and retain a 60% royalty on each sale, which is higher than many microstock platforms. Creative Market is popular for its community-driven approach and the fact that it empowers artists to have more control over their earnings and branding.
Examples of Best Categories Vector Designs to Sell on Shutterstock
Minimalist Designs: Vectors with clean lines and simple colors, such as icons or logos, are highly sought after.
Character Illustrations: Unique and appealing cartoon characters or human illustrations always have a market.
Pattern Graphics: Repetitive pattern designs that can be used for backgrounds or textiles.
Infographics: Vectors that present data or information visually, such as diagrams or charts.
Nature Elements: Illustrations of flora and fauna, like flowers, trees, or animals, that provide a natural look.
By exploring these alternative platforms, designers can diversify their income sources and reach broader audiences. If you’re looking to target a more niche market or find a platform with better royalties, these Shutterstock alternatives are worth considering.
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