Technical and legal requirements for illustration submissions

Before submitting illustrations to Adobe Stock, review these requirements carefully to confirm that all technical, legal, and quality standards are met. Illustrations that do not comply with submission guidelines are refused during moderation, which can affect their availability in the Adobe Stock collection. Following these requirements helps ensure a smooth moderation process and supports timely publication.

Technical requirements

All illustration submissions must meet the technical specifications outlined below to qualify for inclusion in the Adobe Stock collection.

Larger file sizes, up to 45 MB, provide greater flexibility for downstream use, particularly in print workflows. Illustrations should be sized accurately to preserve clarity and fine detail. Files that are too small, excessively compressed, or include borders or frames may be refused. Illustrations must remain sharp, free of visual artifacts, and properly cropped.

Technical restrictions

Illustrations must not contain the following:

• Watermarks
• Timestamps
• Branding

Legal requirements

Adobe Stock requires proper documentation and rights clearance for illustration submissions containing specific elements. Submitted illustrations must meet all our legal and ethical requirements: 

• Provide individual model releases for illustrations based on recognizable people.
• Provide property releases for identifiable locations, artwork, or branded objects.
• Avoid submitting anything that includes copyrighted logos, signage, or trademarked products.
• Be aware of location-based IP, such as murals and architectural landmarks.

Refer to the known restrictions list for specific locations that are not acceptable in submissions to Adobe Stock.