Summary: In this article, learn more about using Graphic Assets in published books, ebooks, or music albums.
For more information about Graphic uses, check out the other articles in this series:
Graphic Use Cases • Graphics - Use in Apps • Graphics - Use in Branding • Graphics - Use in End Products for Sale • Graphics - Use in On-Demand Services • Graphics - Use in Package Design • Graphics - Use in Published Works • Graphics - Web Use
For more information about Graphic uses, check out the other articles in this series:
Graphic Use Cases • Graphics - Use in Apps • Graphics - Use in Branding • Graphics - Use in End Products for Sale • Graphics - Use in On-Demand Services • Graphics - Use in Package Design • Graphics - Use in Published Works • Graphics - Web Use
To learn more about our Licenses, click a topic below:
- Can I use a graphic on a book, ebook, or album cover?
- Can I use a graphic as the only element in a book (or ebook) or album cover?
Use in Published Works FAQ
Can I use a graphic on a book, ebook, or album cover?
Yes, you may use a licensed graphic to create a book, ebook, or album cover. Each cover design would count as 1 End Product, and the following is permitted by our licenses:
- Personal License: You may use the purchased photo/graphic in an unlimited number of personal projects (such as the cover of a book you display on your coffee table or give as a gift to friends.)
- Commercial License: You may create up to 5,000 lifetime book covers for physical books/ebooks for book(s) that will sell a total of 5,000 copies
- Extended Commercial License: You may create up to 250,000 lifetime book covers for physical books/ebooks for book(s) that will sell a total of 250,000 copies.
Please keep in mind that if you create a book cover for commercial use, it must be significantly different than the original purchased asset, require time, effort, and skill to produce, and not derive its primary value from the photo/graphic itself. Any resale/sublicense of the photo/graphic in source file form or otherwise competitive with the Licensed Asset is prohibited.
Can I use a graphic as the only element in a book (or ebook) or album cover?
- Commercial License: This is not permitted. 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, with a Commercial License you are not permitted to purchase a graphic and use solely that unchanged graphic as a cover of an album or book.
- Extended Commercial License: Yes, this is permitted. You may use a licensed graphic as-is on a new book or album cover for commercial use.