What is the best vector image size for selling in microstock? [UPDATED]

30. March 2010, 06:42 Selling graphics

Few months ago I wrote an article about preparing vector illustration for sale in microstock and there I wrote, that 16 Megapixels should be the ideal size for the JPG preview. But now I made a small research and found, that 16 Megapixels is not enough!. Now – after the closing of StockXpert microstock agency site – the situation is a bit different and 15 Megapixels is enough

Why you should create so big JPG previews?

On most sites, you will get bigger charge for bigger formats. Don't forget, that not everybody wants or needs illustration in vector EPS format and also some microstock agencies don't accept this format at all (or the upload is too complicated) – that's the reason, why you have to prepare and upload the big JPG version too.

What are the size categories on microstock agencies?

Here is the table of top microstock agencies with information about the biggest formats (sure, that you can upload even bigger format, but there is no reason for it):

Some agencies like Shutterstock or iStockphoto don't sell vector illustrations in JPG format – that's why they are not mentioned in the table.

If you ignore Fotolia with the extraordinary size category 30 Megapixels, you will find out, that the best size for illustrations is around 17 Megapixels (A2 / XXL from Stockxpert) – this is about 3500 × 4800 pixels, or 4200 × 4200 pixels for square format.

Update after closing of StockXpert

If you ignore Fotolia with the extraordinary size category 30 Megapixels, you will find out, that the best size for illustrations is 15 Megapixels – this is about 3000 × 5000 pixels, or 3900 × 3900 pixels for square format.

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