Click on a Use Case or FAQ to learn more about using Photos under the legacy Creative Market Licenses:
- Can I use a photo on a t-shirt/mug/tote bag?
- Can I embed a photo in an eBook?
- Can I create an art print using a photo and a font, then sell it?
- Can I use a photo in a magazine or newspaper article?
- Can I use a photo in a label or packaging?
- Can I use a photo in advertising (such as a billboard or my website)?
- If I use only part of a photo to make a design, what license will I need?
- Can I create a digital template and use the photo as a placeholder?
- Can I use a photo as-is in a blog post?
- Can I embed a photo in a WordPress theme and sell the theme?
- Can I use a photo as inspiration for a piece of artwork?
- Can I use a photo in a logo and/or branding?
- How many photos from one seller may I use in one product or project?
- Can I add a photo in a photo pack for sale?
- Can I purchase a photo for all of my designers to use on a company server?
- Can I use a photo as part of a book or album cover design?
- Can I use a photo as the only element in a book or album cover?
Remember, if you are creating an End Product, the End Product must be significantly different than the original Item and require time, effort, and skill to produce. End Products must not be used or sold in a way that is directly competitive with the original Item you purchased. End Products must not redistribute the original Item to any third parties in a manner that allows for the extraction of the original Item.
Can I use a photo on a t-shirt/mug/tote bag?
Yes, for example, you can include a photo in a greater t-shirt design, as long as the end result of that design is significantly different than the photo you originally purchased. You may employ various methods and skills to create a significantly different design, including adding textures, adding unique hand lettering or illustrations, using Lightroom presets, adding graphics, using various Photoshop add-ons, etc. However, you are not permitted to purchase a photo and put that photo on a t-shirt unchanged.
Can I embed a photo in an eBook?
Yes, this is an acceptable use of a purchased photo Item as long as the original photo cannot be extracted from the eBook.
Can I create an art print using a photo and a font, then sell it?
Yes, you can include that photo and the font in a greater art print design, as long as the end result of that design is significantly different than the photo and font that you originally purchased. You may employ various methods and skills to create a significantly different design, including adding textures, using Lightroom presets, adding unique hand lettering or illustrations, adding graphics or patterns, using various Photoshop add-ons, adding text, addition additional photos, etc.
However, you are not permitted to purchase one font and one photo and use solely those unchanged Items in a wall art design. This does not make your design significantly different when compared to the original Items and/or require time, effort, and skill to produce.
Can I use a photo in a magazine or newspaper article?
Yes, this is an acceptable use of a purchased photo as long as the original photo cannot be extracted from the magazine or newspaper article.
Can I use a photo in a label or packaging?
Yes, for example, you can include the photo in a greater packaging or label design, as long as the end result of that design is significantly different than the photo you originally purchased. You may employ various methods and skills to create a significantly different design, including adding textures, using Lightroom presets, adding unique hand lettering or illustrations, adding graphics or patterns, using various Photoshop add-ons, adding text, etc.
However, you are not permitted to purchase a photo and use solely that unchanged photo to create a label or packaging.
Can I use a photo in advertising (such as a billboard or my website)?
Yes, you can include the photo in a greater advertisement design, as long as the end result of that design is significantly different than the photo you originally purchased. You should employ various methods and skills to create a significantly different design, including adding textures, using Lightroom presets, adding unique hand lettering or illustrations, adding graphics or patterns, using various Photoshop add-ons, adding text, etc.
However, you are not permitted to purchase a photo and use solely that unchanged photo to create an advertisement.
If I use only part of a photo to make a design, what license will I need?
If you intend to sell more than 500 units of your End Product to more than a single person or client, you'll need to purchase an Extended License. If you do not intend to sell your End Product to more than a single person or client, or if you intend to sell less than 500 units to multiple people or clients, you can purchase a Standard License.
Can I create a digital template and use the photo as a placeholder?
You may use purchased photos as placeholders in mockups and preview images of your templates, but you are not allowed to include these photos in the final sold product. This is because you may not redistribute an Item that you purchase on Creative Market.
Can I use a photo as-is in a blog post?
Yes, you may use a photo as-is in a blog post. However, please note that you must take necessary measures to prevent your viewers from being able to download the photo in its original form.
Can I embed a photo in a WordPress theme and sell the theme?
You may use purchased photos as placeholders in mockups and preview images of your theme, but you are not allowed to include these photos in the final sold product. This is because you may not redistribute an Item that you purchase on Creative Market.
Can I use a photo as inspiration for a piece of artwork?
In general, yes, you may do this, as long as you are not reproducing the photo unchanged in a new medium. For example, using a photo of a car as a reference on how to draw an engine and metallic surfaces would be okay. However, using that photo to paint the exact car/image would not be allowed.
Can I use a photo in a logo and/or branding?
Yes, this is permitted so long as the item you create is an End Product. End Products must be significantly different than the original Item and require time, effort, and skill to produce. End Products must not be used or sold in a way that is directly competitive with the original Item you purchased. End Products must not redistribute the original Item to any third parties in a manner that allows for the extraction of the original Item. However, keep in mind that you may not register as a trademark the Item or the end product incorporating the Item — not even logos. If you use the Item to create a logo for yourself or a client, keep in mind that third parties can use the Item too, even in another logo.
How many photos from one seller may I use in one product or project?
There is no limit to the number of photos that you can purchase from one shop owner and use in a single product or project.
Can I add a photo in a photo pack for sale?
No, you may not resell an Item that you purchase on Creative Market as this is considered redistribution.
Can I purchase a photo for all of my designers to use on a company server?
No, you may not redistribute an Item that you purchase on Creative Market. Additionally, each Item that you purchase on Creative Market may be used in one Project. If many designers at your company would like to use the same photo, they will each have to purchase a separate license for the photo.
Can I use a photo as part of a book or album cover design?
Yes, you can include a photo in a greater album design, as long as the end result of that design is significantly different than the photo you originally purchased. You may employ various methods and skills to create a significantly different design, including adding textures, adding unique hand lettering or illustrations, using Lightroom presets, adding graphics, using various Photoshop add-ons, etc. However, you are not permitted to purchase a photo and use solely that unchanged photo as a cover of an album or book.
Can I use a photo as the only element in a book or album cover?
No. Album and book cover designs are treated and viewed as standalone designs in many cases. For example, on digital distribution sites, the cover is often the only element shown (for example, sites like iTunes, Amazon, etc.). Additionally, cover designs are often used on their own on subsequent products for sale such as t-shirts, posters, etc. For this reason, you are not permitted to purchase a photo and use solely that unchanged photo as a cover of an album or book.