Help and FAQ

• How do I purchase images from Bigstock?
• What is the difference between pay as you go and credit packs?
• How do I get a receipt?
• Can I get a refund?
• Is saving my credit card safe?
• Can I re-download the same image without getting charged again?
• Will I get my photo credits immediately after I purchase them?
• How long do credits last?
• Why does my credit card show a charge even though the charge didn't go through?
• Why am I seeing a credit card error?
• What can I do with the images I download under Bigstock’s standard usage agreement?
• What if I want to use an image on a poster, postcard, T-shirt or some other product not covered by the standard usage agreement?
• Can I use these photos in web site templates?
• I’m having trouble downloading an image file, or I can’t find a file I think I downloaded. What should I do?
• Will the image I download have a watermark on it?
• Which image formats do you offer?
• How big are Bigstock images? Can I resize them?
• Some Bigstock vector illustrations contain type. Do these illustrations come with fonts?
• Can other customers download the same photos after I do?

How do I purchase images from Bigstock?

In order to purchase images, you must first sign up for a free account. You can then initiate a purchase directly from any image detail page.

What is the difference between pay as you go and credit packs?

Pay as you go allows you to buy an individual image without having to first purchase a credit pack. If you plan to purchase multiple images or an Extended License, you can save with credit packs. For details, please visit our credits page.

How do I get a receipt?

You can print a receipt from your Purchase History page, which you can find under My Account.

Can I get a refund?

Purchases are not refundable. Please see our Terms of Service for details. If you encounter a quality problem with an image download, please Contact Us.

Is saving my credit card safe?

We store your credit card using the best industry-standard security measures. You may also remove saved credit cards at any time on the Payments Methods page.

Can I re-download the same image without getting charged again?

You will not be charged for re-downloading an image within 180 days of your first download attempt.

Will I get my photo credits immediately after I purchase them?

You will get your credits right away if you pay with a credit card. If you use an eCheck-funded PayPal transfer, it may take 3 to 4 days for the payment to clear before you receive your credits.

How long do credits last?

You have one year from the date of purchase to spend your credits.

Why does my credit card show a charge even though the charge didn't go through?

Some credit card companies display an attempted charge for a short time, then remove it a few days later. If you think Bigstock has charged your credit card by mistake, please Contact Us.

Why am I seeing a credit card error?

Please double check your billing address and zip code, and be sure your account has sufficient funds. If you’re still getting an error, please Contact Us.

What can I do with the images I download under Bigstock’s standard usage agreement?

Bigstock images are provided under a royalty-free license, which lets you use them almost any way you please.

A few important exceptions:

• You cannot resell the images.
• Under a standard license, you cannot use the images on a product where the image is a dominant feature, such as posters and postcards.
• You cannot use the images as part of a logo or trademark.
• When using images that depict people, you cannot use them in a way that defames the models.
• Some Bigstock images, such as those depicting celebrities or news events, are restricted for editorial use only. Learn more.

For a complete explanation, please read our Image Usage Agreement carefully and see our Usage Examples.

What if I want to use an image on a poster, postcard, T-shirt or some other product not covered by the standard usage agreement?

We can help. Please read about Extended Licensing.

Can I use these photos in web site templates?

Yes, however you must purchase an extended license to use an image in a website template. For a complete explanation, please read our Image Usage Agreement carefully and see our Usage Examples.

I’m having trouble downloading an image file, or I can’t find a file I think I downloaded. What should I do?

Please visit our How To Download page for common troubleshooting tips, then try your download again. You will not be charged for re-downloading an image within 180 days of your first download attempt. If you’re still having trouble, please Contact Us.

Will the image I download have a watermark on it?

No. The watermarks you see when browsing Bigstock will not appear on any image you download.

Which image formats do you offer?

• JPG (For photographs)
• AI (Adobe Illustrator format, used for vector illustrations)
• EPS (Encapsulated PostScript format, used for vector illustrations)
• PDF (Portable Document Format, usually used for vector illustrations)
• PNG (A bitmap format usually used for illustrations)
• PSD (For Adobe Photoshop users)

How big are Bigstock images? Can I resize them?

Depending upon the image and how it was created, we offer Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large and Vector sizes. Each image page will tell you what's available, the dimensions and for what purposes each image is suited. Our Small images are up to 1000px on the longest side, Medium images are up to 2400px, Large images are up to 3800px, and Extra Large images are the largest size available.

All Bigstock images can be resized using common image editing programs such as Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator (for vector illustrations). When in doubt, the largest size will offer you the most flexibility.

Some Bigstock vector illustrations contain type. Do these illustrations come with fonts?

No. The type you see has been outlined as part of the illustration, and the fonts are not included.

Can other customers download the same photos after I do?

Yes. The photos remain in our library and can be downloaded later by any Bigstock customer.

• Default search
• Searching for a phrase
• Boolean Searches (AND, OR, NOT)
• Image ID numbers
• Advanced search fields

Default search

If you search for two or more words, Bigstock will return images that match all of those keywords. A search for white house will return all photos with the keywords white and house.

Searching for a phrase

Use quotation marks to search for a phrase. A search for "white house" returns only photos with that phrase as a keyword.

Boolean Searches (AND, OR, NOT)

Bigstock understands the common search operators AND, OR and NOT. A plus sign (+) has the same function as AND and a minus sign (-) has the same function as NOT. Each of these operators only affects the term that immediately follows it. So dog NOT cat AND house will return images that match dog and house.

Image ID numbers

Entering an image ID number, such as 736781, will return that image. Enter multiple image numbers separated by commas (such as 481082, 736781) to return all of those images.

Advanced search fields

The advanced search feature allows you to narrow your search by specifying additional criteria such as file type, media type, orientation or category. These filters will be applied to any keyword results returned as part of a search.

• I want to submit images to Bigstock. Where do I start?
• How much will I earn as a Bigstock contributor? When do I get paid?
• What are your specifications for image uploads?
• Will Bigstock own the copyrights to my images?
• What happens after I submit images? When will they show up in the collection?
• How do I upload images?
• How can I raise my approval percentage and maximize my sales?
• Does it help if I include clipping paths?
• Can I edit the titles and keywords of my images after they have been approved?
• How many images can I submit at once?
• Can I incorporate other images or elements into artwork I submit?
• Can I remove one of my submitted images from your collection?
• Can I exchange my commissions for download credits?
• Why can’t I see the images I just uploaded to the FTP area?
• Why do I see the images I just uploaded in the FTP area instead of my Uploaded Photos Queue?
• I am having trouble uploading. What should I do?
• Do photos containing identifiable people and locations require releases?
• I submitted an image but forgot to upload a model release. Can I add a release later?
• When do I need a property release?
• Can I submit editorial images, such as news photos?
• Can I submit vector illustrations?
• My Adobe Illustrator or Adobe Photoshop files aren’t displaying properly. What should I do?
• If I’m uploading a vector illustration, do I need to upload JPG files too?
• Can I promote Bigstock on my own web site?
• What are the terms of an Extended License?
• Does Extended Licensing mean I'm losing my copyrights?
• Does Extended Licensing mean my images won't be available to standard customers?
• How long will it take my Extended Licensing choices to take effect?
• If I opt into Extended Licensing, then opt out later, what happens to my images that have already sold under an Extended License?
• How will I know if my photo was purchased under an Extended License?
• Can you tell me where my image is being used, or how much the customer is charging for a product that uses my images?
• Can a customer resell my photos?

I want to submit images to Bigstock. Where do I start?

Great! Please begin at our Contributor Tutorial.

How much will I earn as a Bigstock contributor? When do I get paid?

For Pay As You Go purchases we pay contributors 30% of the US dollar price. For purchases made using credits we pay $0.50 USD for each credit spent. This also applies to Extended Licenses. You can request a payout when your earnings reach $30. Here is a detailed breakdown of how much you will earn with each type of purchase (all values in USD):

	Pay as You Go	Credits
Small	$0.90	$0.50
Medium	$1.50	$1.00
Large	$2.70	$2.00
X-Large	$3.90	$3.00
Vector	$3.90	$3.00
Extended License	$29.70	$25.00

What are your specifications for image uploads?

• All photographs must be uploaded as JPG files.
• Illustrations may be uploaded as AI, EPS, PDF, PNG or PSD files. Sorry, we cannot accept images from older graphics programs.
• Photographs must be at least 800 pixels across on the longest side, but we prefer images that are at least 2500 pixels across.
• You may not submit any artwork or photographs you did not create yourself.

Will Bigstock own the copyrights to my images?

No. You never lose the copyrights to the images you upload to Bigstock. Please see our Terms of Service for details.

What happens after I submit images? When will they show up in the collection?

Submitted images go into our Approval Queue for review. It may take a few days for our review team to accept or reject your images. You can check the status of your uploads in the My Account area. Images waiting to be reviewed are labeled “Pending.” Please be aware that after your images have been approved, it may take up to 48 hours for them to be visible on the site.

How do I upload images?

We offer FTP and web-based uploading. Instructions are on our main upload page.

How can I raise my approval percentage and maximize my sales?

• Submit images that are crisp, colorful, well lit and well composed. Avoid excessive photo manipulation.
• Submit images of subjects in high demand. Read our list of Photos We Need Most.
• Submit often and be patient. It can take several months to build a successful portfolio.
• Pay attention to keywording. Providing accurate, thorough keyword lists will help the right customers find your images. Do not enter irrelevant keywords.
• Monitor your sales and strive to improve the quality of your portfolio.

Does it help if I include clipping paths?

Yes. Clipping Paths are especially useful in photos with a subject isolated over a solid color. Learn more about Clipping Paths.

Can I edit the titles and keywords of my images after they have been approved?

Yes. Go to the Uploads area of your account and click “Approval Status“ You will see your images and an “Edit” link next to each. Take care to make only relevant edits. Each edit is logged and reviewed, and we may suspend the editing abilities of contributors who make irrelevant edits .

How many images can I submit at once?

Contributors whose images are consistently approved will have few or no limits on how many images they can submit. However, to keep our approval process moving smoothly, we impose limits on new contributors and those with lower approval percentages.

• New users with fewer than 15 approved images: Maximum of 15 images in the Approval Queue.
• Users with an approval rate of 50% or less: Maximum of 10 images in the Approval Queue.
• Users with an approval rate of 50% to 70%: Maximum of 20 images in the Approval Queue.
• Users with an approval rate of 70% to 85%: Maximum of 40 images in the Approval Queue.
• Users with an approval rate of 85% to 92%: Maximum of 50 images in the Approval Queue.
• Users with an approval rate higher than 92%: No limit.

Images you upload and delete before submitting them to the Approval Queue do not affect your approval rate. However, we may place upload restrictions on users who frequently submit and then delete their images.

Can I incorporate other images or elements into artwork I submit?

Including elements created by other artists is usually not acceptable. Exceptions include Photoshop brushes and cases where you have a license to use the elements you added.

Can I remove one of my submitted images from your collection?

We cannot prevent anyone who has already downloaded your image from using it. However, we usually accommodate requests to remove images from our collection. Please Contact Us with your request. To prevent abuse of our approval process, we will not remove an image that was approved less than 90 days ago.

Can I exchange my commissions for download credits?

Yes, as long as you have earned enough in commissions to qualify for a payout. Please use our Contact Us form to make your request, and be sure to tell us if you want your entire commission as credits, or just part of it.

Why can’t I see the images I just uploaded to the FTP area?

We automatically move your photos soon after you upload them. Please look for them in the Approval Status area of your account.

Why do I see the images I just uploaded in the FTP area instead of my Uploaded Photos Queue?

This may be because our system is busy. Please be patient. If your photos have not moved after an hour, please Contact Us.

I am having trouble uploading. What should I do?

• Be sure your images are in one of our standard formats and have the correct file extension (JPG, AI, EPS, PDF, PNG or PSD).
• Do not upload files larger than 25 megabytes.
• Avoid unusual characters in your file names such as * or @. If you are using our FTP system, only upload files, not directories.
• If your file names are a series of consecutive numbers, try renaming them.

If you’re still having trouble, please Contact Us.

Do photos containing identifiable people and locations require releases?

Yes. Please download our standard Adult Model Release or Minor Model Release and Property Release. You should upload these releases using the Release Manager before you upload your images. Then, in the Edit and Submit area of Uploads, you can assign releases to your images. If a photo depicts three people, it should have three model releases. If several of your photos contain the same model, the model only needs to sign one release, but the release should be assigned to each image of that model.

I submitted an image but forget to upload a model release. Can I add a release later?

Yes. Your image will be declined and will appear in your Approval Status area, where you can attach the model release and resubmit it.

When do I need a property release?

If a photo is taken on private property, such as the inside of a home or a business, you should have the owner sign a property release.

Can I submit editorial images, such as news photos?

Yes. Please read about Editorial Usage.

Can I submit vector illustrations?

Yes. You can submit illustrations in AI, PDF, EPS, PNG and PSD format. Please preserve the editing capabilities in these files, since customers expect the ability to modify the files.

My Adobe Illustrator or Adobe Photoshop files aren’t displaying properly. What should I do?

• Be sure you are saving your file in a current format. We support most current file formats but cannot support some older versions, such as older Xara native EPS files.
• When saving files in Adobe Illustrator, be sure to check the “Create PDF compatible file” option.
• If you see excess white space around your artwork, try reducing the document workspace/artboard, or enlarging the artwork.
• If your illustration incorporates fonts, you must render your font layers (in Photoshop) or outline your fonts (in Illustrator).

For other problems, please Contact Us.

If I’m uploading a vector illustration, do I need to upload JPG files too?

No. We create JPG versions of your illustration automatically.

Can I promote Bigstock on my own web site?

Yes! You can earn a 35% commission on sales you refer to Bigstock.

• For small web sites: Sign up for our Standard Affiliates Program.
• For more advanced implementations, learn about the Bigstock API.

While we encourage you to tell others about Bigstock, we do not tolerate spamming.

What are the terms of an Extended License?

Be sure to review our Image Usage Agreement and Extended Licensing Usage Agreement, which explain how your images may be licensed. You can change this setting as often as you like. You can also change Extended Licensing terms for individual images.

Does Extended Licensing mean I'm losing my copyrights?

No. You always retain your copyright to images you submit to Bigstock. Bigstock will never enter into any Extended License agreements that we believe adversely affect our contributors.

Does Extended Licensing mean my images won't be available to standard customers?

No. Your photos always remain available to customers who don't need an extended license.

How long will it take my Extended Licensing choices to take effect?

Your changes will take 12 hours to 2 business days to take effect.

If I opt into Extended Licensing, then opt out later, what happens to my images that have already sold under an Extended License?

As with photos purchased under our standard license, once a customer has downloaded one of your images, we cannot withdraw that image from usage by that customer. Extended Licensing changes are not retroactive and only apply to future sales.

How will I know if my photo was purchased under an Extended License?

When a customer downloads one of your images under an Extended License, your Image Earnings Log will show a download labeled "Licensed Image" with a higher-than-normal commission.

Can you tell me where my image is being used, or how much the customer is charging for a product that uses my images?

We're sorry, but we cannot supply this information because of the complexities involved. Each deal is unique, each use is unique, and we cannot track and report the details of each purchase.

Can a customer resell my photos?

A customer can resell a product featuring your image, but our terms prohibit them from reselling the image in a way that competes with you in the photo licensing marketplace. You will always retain your image copyright.

• I forgot my password.
• Can I close my account?
• I’m having trouble logging in or logging out.

I forgot my password.

Please visit the Login Help page to retrieve your password.

Can I close my account?

Yes. Please Contact Us with your request. If you are a contributor, please note that in accordance with our upload agreement, you cannot close your account unless your images have been online for at least 90 days.  If you close your account, we will remove your images from Bigstock within 24 to 48 hours. If you close an account with less than $30 in commission earnings, you will forfeit your earnings. Please see our Terms of Service for details.

I’m having trouble logging in or logging out.

First, follow this link to log out. Then try logging in again at the top of the page. If the trouble persists, you may need to delete your browser cookies. (Consult your web browser’s help menu if you aren’t sure how.) If you continue to experience problems, please Contact Us.

• API
• Clipping Paths
• Comping Image
• DPI
• Editorial Use Images
• MP
• Mbytes
• Royalty-free
• Extended Licensing
• Vector illustrations

API

Application Programming Interface. The Bigstock API is a set of programming tools that lets web developers integrate Bigstock into their own sites. Learn more.

Clipping Paths

Outlines that are saved as part of an image file, readable by many graphics programs. Clipping paths are frequently used to isolate objects in photographs, especially pictures of a subject on a solid color. Learn more about Clipping Paths.

Comping Image

A low-resolution, watermarked image you may download for free. You may only use comping images in draft layouts. They are intended to help you decide if an image is right before you download it.

DPI

Dots Per Inch. DPI describes the resolution at which an image is printed. Most printed projects require resolutions of 150 to 300 DPI, while 72 DPI is typical for computer screens. You can change an image’s DPI using Adobe Photoshop and other image editing programs. DPI is distinct from an image’s pixel size, which describes the size of the image file.

Editorial Use Images

News photos and other pictures of recognizable people and places without model or property releases. These images are suitable to illustrate news articles, but are not cleared for commercial use. Learn more about Editorial Use Images.

Lightboxes

A collection of images that you create and manage. Lightboxes are perfect for keeping track of images you're considering for a project. Lightboxes can be public or private and you can share a lightbox with friends. To get started visit the Lightboxes.

MP

Short for megapixels, a measure of an image’s size in millions of pixels.

Mbytes

Short for megabytes, the data size of the file.

Royalty-free

A phrase used to describe images offered with a broad set of usage rights at a standard price. Bigstock customers do not have to pay a royalty for every copy of the product they’re creating. Please see our Image Usage Agreement for details.

Extended Licensing

Terms for image needs outside of our standard Image Usage Agreement. To learn more about extended licensing, see our pages for buyers and contributors.

Vector illustrations

Images constructed from lines and shapes. Unlike bitmap images (such as photographs), vector files can generally be scaled up in size without suffering any quality loss.