Are you a graphic artist looking for work? Try drawing / taking photos for microstocks - seasonal work, a second income or full-time work

I run into classified ads in which graphic artists are looking for work all the time on the internet. I would like to recommend to them one source of income thanks to which they will be independent, free, can work from the warmth of home and if it goes well for them they will also be well provided for financially. It is drawing for microstocks.

Microstock file formats for uploading vector illustrations

Every Microstock agency use a bit different upload system – specially for vector images. On some sites you need JPG preview with EPS file with same filename, on others you need to have it packed in a ZIP file, somewhere you need big JPG preview and some sites needs just EPS. Here is a simple overview of all bigger microstock sites with their file format requirements for vector illustrations.

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

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

How to reduce EPS file size

Sometimes it happens to everyone – you create a really cool vector illustration and want it to submit and sell on microstock, but you found, that the exported EPS file is too big. What can you do, to make the EPS file smaller? Here you will find several tips and tricks for reducing the EPS file size.

How to prepare vector illustration for microstock sale

On most microstock sites accepts vector illustrations in EPS format (in version Illustrator 8) with generated JPG preview of the illustration. Some of them wants it in ZIP, some need just small preview and others big. In this article I will show you the best and easiest way, how to prepare the illustration in desired EPS format and how to generate JPG preview.

How to set illustration's color mode to RGB

Sometimes Shutterstock rejects some of my illustration with this message:

Color Profiles – Your image contains both RGB and CMYK color profiles. Please resubmit your vector with only 1 color profile.

The problem is that I used (during the drawing of this illustration) some CMYK color – maybe I took if from some swatch, or I used part of some other illustration, which was in CMYK mode. It is quite easy to convert illustration back to one – RGB – color mode.

Best sites with Adobe Illustrator tutorials, tips and tricks

I have several sites about creating vector illustrations in my RSS reader. Here is the list of the best sites, that I'm visiting regularly.

Best microstock sites

This list is sorted according to contributors - the most valuable sites first:

Shutterstock Shutterstock
Fotolia Fotolia
Dreamstime Dreamstime
iStockphoto iStockphoto
Bigstock BigStock
123rf 123RF
Crestock Crestock
Graphic Leftovers Graphic Leftovers
Depositphotos Depositphotos

Read more info about those agencies.

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Big microstock sites review with comparison of the prices, portfolio and subscription programs

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