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.
Shutterstock
- EPS + JPG with same filename
- EPS format 8 or 10
- Maximum filesize 15MB
- JPG preview should be 700 – 900px (but they accept also bigger, max. 25 MPx)
Fotolia
- EPS + JPG packed in one ZIP file
- EPS format 8 or 10, AI
- Maximum filesize 2MB (this is what they have written on the site, but they accept bigger without any problem – up to 15 MB)
Dreamstime
- JPG, EPS you have to upload manually as additional format
- EPS format 8 or 10, AI, CDR
- JPG preview should be bigger
- There is no limit for file size
iStockphoto
- You have to upload all manually
- EPS format 8
- JPG preview must have dimensions at least 1900×2800 px
- Illustrations couldn’t contain open paths an texts
123RF
- EPS + JPG with same filename
- EPS format 8 or 10
BigStockPhoto
- Formats: AI, EPS 8 or 10, PDF, PNG or PSD
- You don’t need to upload JPG preview, they will generate it automatically – if you upload it, you will have 2 versions (bitmap and vector) in your portfolio
- Bigstock can read IPTC information from the EPS, not from the JPG
Graphic Leftovers
- EPS + JPG with same filename
- EPS format 8 or 10
- JPG preview should be as big as possible, minimum is 3MPx
- Illustration shouldn’t contain ‚Sample text‘ (they can accept it only on a solid background)
Can Stock Photo
- EPS + JPG packed in one ZIP file
- EPS format 8 or 10
- Can Stock Photo use the JPG just for IPTC information. The final JPG versions will generate automatically from the EPS file.
Crestock
- Format EPS or AI packed in ZIP file, JPG preview should have the same name as ZIP
- Or you can upload EPS and JPG with same filename
- JPG preview size should be min 350×350px, but you should again upload as big as possible (if you upload bigger JPG, then it can be sold as a raster version), maximal size is 18 MPx
Depositphotos
- EPS+ JPG packed in one ZIP file
- EPS format 8 or 10, AI
- minimum JPG preview size is 3.4 MPx (2400 х 1600 px)
Stockfresh
- EPS + JPG with same filename
- EPS format 8 or 10
- JPG preview as big as possible
Overview table
| Microstock Agency | Formats | EPS 10 |
|---|---|---|
 Shutterstock |
EPS + JPG | YES |
 Fotolia |
ZIP (EPS + JPG) | YES |
 Dreamstime |
JPG, manually EPS | YES |
 iStockphoto |
manually EPS + JPG | NO |
 123RF |
EPS + JPG | YES |
 BigStock |
EPS | YES |
 Graphic Leftovers |
EPS + JPG | YES |
 Can Stock Photo |
ZIP (EPS + JPG) | YES |
 Crestock |
EPS + JPG | YES |
 Depositphotos |
ZIP (EPS + JPG) | YES |
 Stockfresh |
EPS + JPG | YES |
My recomendations
I’m creating the JPG preview of the size around 15 Mpx (some explanations is here: What is the best vector image size for selling in microstock?) it is a little big, but it can be used and sold as a raster / bitmap illustration on the sites, that don’t support vectors, or for users, that don’t know how to vork with vectors and preffer big JPGs.
Very usable list about sites. Istock now accepts EPS10, so that should be a relief(depends on how much one likes iStock) for many..
What is the best document size to work with, the size that can fit all microstock agencies ,without finetuning sizes for each other???
Thank you
David,
maybe you are looking for this article: What is the best vector image size for selling in microstock?
Thank you for the reply and tips!! Really appreciate that! And merry christmas!!!
I forgot to ask one question??? Create the 15 megapixel jpeg preview in 300 dpi or 72 dpi resolution???
David,
when you are creating the JPG preview, you don’t need to specify the resolution, just the width or height – more info is in this article: How to prepare vector illustration for microstock sale
Orson,
Do I need to make my image exactly 4000×4000???? Most of my images are around
4000×2000~3600++.
Which Zip program should I use to zip my files?? Can you recommend the Zip program that works fine on Fotolia, canstock and depositphotos and similar sites??
I am using Stuff it for mac and expresszip in PC usually in my job routines.
In this case, I am not sure which Zip program to use because it may work for this but not others.
Thank you again for yr help.
Hi David,
no, you don’t need to use exactly 4000×4000.
4000×2000 = 8 Mpx, 4000×3600 = 14.4 Mpx
It is quite enough.
I don’t work on mac, so I can’t recommend you any. The result must be just .zip file. So try, what you have and you will see.
Once again, Thank you for the info!!! Wishing u a Merry Christmas!
Great list, thanks! One little update is missing, iStock changed their file type to AI10 EPS, you can see the announcement here: http://www.istockphoto.com/…messages.php?…
some of the sites I visited require IPTC metadata along with the images sent to them. I applied the info in Adobe Illustrator and clicked „ok“ and then saved the work but the data was blank when I opened the file to check it. Is this a common problem? Do you have any solutions? thanks.
i thing EPS format 8 dont support IPTC metadata
You have to save the IPTC data in the JPG file, not in the EPS.
The IPTC metadata must be in the JPG file, not in the EPS or AI! I don’t know, how it works in Illustrator – probably you have to add those information first and then export the JPG. I use standalone freeware utility for adding IPTC to JPG files – PhotoStock the free version is good enough for it.
Let me copy my cheat sheet :D
123rf: jpg + eps (from the site only, ftp doesn’t work for vectors)
BigStock: eps only
CS: jpg + zipped eps
FT: zip (jpg + eps) they don’t need svg anymore. I upload jpg also in a zipp cos then itpc loads up on the site
DT: jpg attach eps. When you have a pending jpg file go to edit page and upload eps from there (I think it says upload additional formats).
IS: jpg + eps (additional zip possible)
MP: jpg (they dont accept vectors)
SS: jpg + eps
StockXpert: jpg + zipped eps (well you don’t need this one anymore)