Selling logos

Don't you hate it when some of your best ideas have been discarded by clients? It's time to bring those ideas back to life. Sell your logos through us to reach new customers and clients from around the world. We'll handle the promotion, marketing, and e-commerce. You handle the design.

Steps to sell your designs and make money

1. Register on StockLogos.com
2. Read this page in detail and follow the instructions closely
3. Download the template (see attachment on the top of the page)
4. Upload your logo and fill out the necessary fields
5. Wait for our confirmation email that your logo is published
6. Upload more designs
7. You will be notified when your logo is sold
8. In most cases you have to customize the logo for client's company name, client or site admin will contact you with such requests
9. Send the final files to client directly
10. You have to add your payment instructions into your account
11. You will be payed automatically

How to prepare your files for upload

Designers are required to use a template file in order to provide a consistent experience for our clients. You can download the template file (top of the page). This includes a template file with margins and two samples files to show you how your files should look like when ready. You need to prepare an vector EPS file and a high-res (2,000x2,000px) bitmap PNG file. Optionally you can also upload additional 3 images to show your logo in different versions. For contest logos you have to prepare the files the same way but you do not have to upload the EPS file only the PNG file.

Rules when preparing your logo design:

1. The design must be original and created by you
2. You can not use any ready-made design elements, whether you paid for them or not, regardless of the type of license. Design elements that you can not use include (but are not limited to) stock vector designs, clip-art illustrations, illustrations included in dingbat/ornament typefaces, illustrations included as samples or symbols in vector graphics software, illustrations created by you following exact steps on an online tutorial, Wikimedia Commons graphics (or other graphics with a Creative Commons license) and Public Domain illustrations. Bear in mind that StockLogos clients may need to trademark the logo after purchase
3. Do not include personal signatures, watermarks, copyright notices (™, ©, ®), recognizable faces or properties, copyrighted/trademarked/patented products, copyrighted maps/globes, registered or unregistered trademarks or trade names, fonts you don't have the rights to use, other artists' work
4. Do not include an existing identifiable product, imitate the design or style of an existing product or packaging
5. If you include a model or property you must be able to produce a signed model or property release on request
6. If you trace images you must own copyright to the images
7. Use tineye.com and google images to make sure there are no similar existing designs
8. Logo should work at small sizes
9. Use high contrast
10. Focus on symbols and less on typography as the text will be changed to match client's company name
11. Use simple typography that is easy to change, use widely available typefaces
12. Use a fictitious company name that describes the logo or it's possible use, for example "blue whale". Do not use a generic title like "Company name".
13. Avoid logo cliches. We reserve the right to reject logos that are too common and may cause problems for our clients.

Rules when preparing your EPS file:

1. Use the stocklogos-template.eps file
2. Logo should not have background
3. All fonts should be converted to curves
4. Remove embedded images and any other elements that are not vector
5. Remove all unnecessary elements that are not part of the logo
6. Use the CMYK color space (RGB colors can not always be reproduced in printing)
7. Resize the logo to make sure the design fits within the margins and fills out the page as much as possible
8. Center the logo within the page
9. Optionally you can add additional logo versions outside of the page, such as black and white, negative, extreme vertical and horizontal versions
10. Save it as EPS (up to CS5) and make sure select Preview Format as None to reduce file size
11. Check the file size. It should normally be less than 1MB. If the file size is too big you can zip it up.

Rules when preparing the PNG file:

1. Export the png file right from the EPS file in Illustrator using the File/Export command
2. Select Format: PNG
3. Select the checkbox: Use Artboards
4. On the next screen select Resolution: 72 ppi
5. Select Background: Transparent
6. Check the exported PNG image to make sure the dimensions are 2,000x2,000px

Rules when preparing the 3 additional images:

1. Must feature the same logo in different colors, layouts or its usage
2. Must be square
3. Minimum dimensions are 400x400px

While our reviewers make every attempt to evaluate logos for these items, the responsibility is ultimately yours. Please keep a record of all works and source references in case of a dispute. If these rules are not followed we will reject and/or delete the logo. For multiple violation of our rules the designer will be banned from the site and his logos will be deleted from the marketplace.

What kind of logos to design

The logos should be generic enough to be applicable to various businesses, but unique enough to become trademarks. It's best to have an iconic symbol and very simple typography that is easy to change. Most of our clients own small and medium sized businesses, so think about all the different types of businesses you find in a mall, commercial area or in the yellow pages.

Logo upload fields

Besides the files you need to fill out several fields when uploading a logo. Please make sure to spend time on filling out the required info as it greatly influences the chance of selling a logo.

Logo name should match the title in the logo files and ideally it should be a generic name that describes the logo and the industry it is intended for. Examples: "Fat Cat" or "Blue Fork". Do not use the name of an existing company in the title as it can be considered a trademark violation. Do not include the word "logo" in the title.

Price can vary depending on how unique and well designed the logo is. You can set a price anywhere from $99 to $2,000. Average suggested price is around $300. You get approximately 75%-PayPal fee (3-5%) of the sale price so you need to multiply the amount you desire by 1.43. For example if you want to receive $100 for a logo you need to price it at $143. Effective from Aug 1, 2012 for the first 2 store logo store sales your share is 55%-PayPal fee (3-5%).

Allowing bidding option on your logo lets clients suggest a lower price for your logo. You will receive an email from StockLogos when client posts a bid and you will have the option to accept or reject the price. We don't have counter bidding option. Make sure you are logged into StockLogos when accepting or rejecting a bid so the system knows it is you.

Designer available for further work option lets client know that the designer is open for further design projects. It's strongly recommended to keep this on as clients frequently need the designer to perform further work creating the full identity for their companies. Such work is done outside of StockLogos directly between client and designer and is charged separately from the logo sale price.

By default all logos include customization as part of the services included in the sale price. Please be aware that if requested changes are not performed on client's request by the designers we may have to return the sale price to client and the designer will not be paid.

Logo Category allows the designer to categorize the logo to an area that best matches the potential use of the logo. If the logo applies to many categories select the best matching one only.

Logo Tags allows the designer to enter up to 10 keywords that match the logo. You can only pick from existing keywords. Start typing a word and pick the one you like from the options that are offered. Separate keywords with a comma. If your logo includes a dominant letter enter it a single letter such as L.

Description field is the place where you should describe what the logo is all about. Describe the colors, the shapes, the symbols, the meaning and ideas behind the logo. Do not include any personal messages, like "hope you like it". Do not repeat offered services that are already listed by selecting the checkboxes, like "changes are included".

Possible uses allows you to suggest possible uses for the logo. Try to imagine what sort of companies can use this logo and list them here.

Contest is a drop down selection field that is only visible if you're uploading a contest logo. Please make sure to select the correct contest. Do not upload non-relevant logos to contests.

Please do not abuse any of these fields to gain any unfair advantage in search or other listings. Such behavior will be considered as violation of our rules.

Designing for contests

On the contests page click the titles to see the full description of the job. Note that some contests are Private meaning you have to be logged in to see the details.

Contest logos are specifically designed for a contest posted by a client. These logos must answer the requirements listed by client in the contest. Pay attention to the Open/Closed status of the contests and the available remaining time on them. You are not allowed to upload or change a contest logo after the contest is closed.

If client rates your contest logo, you will get an email notification. The options are "Off brief" meaning the logo didn't answer client's requirements, "Not liked" meaning the logo didn't meet the client's expectations, "Liked" meaning that the client liked your option. "Liked" doesn't mean it's the winning logo.

You will receive a "Winner" notification separately if the client has chosen your logo. Only winning logos are payed the listed amount. You will also receive instructions how to upload the vector files for client for the winning logo. You will be payed once the files have been handed over to client.

In most cases the contests are open, so designers will be able to see each other's work and the feedback given by client. This however doesn't give the designers a permission to copy each other's concepts. If the contest requirements request for a certain specific theme than the similarity will be unavoidable, but obvious copying will not be allowed and the designs will be deleted and the designer may face a ban for repeated offence.

Some contests however are "Blind" meaning that designers can't see each other's designs while the contest is still open.

Contest logos will not remain on the site for sale after the contest winner is chosen and the contest is closed. If you didn't win the contest, after the contest is closed you can modify the contest logo for general use and upload to the store.

Please note that the contest logo upload for is different from the store logo upload form. Upload your contest logo here.

Payment

We can currently pay designers in three different ways: PayPal, AlertPay and Check. We're going to add more payment methods, such as Western Union and Wire Transfer.

To add your payment info click My account on the top right, then Edit, then Personal Information. Select payment method and fill out the PayPal or AlertPay email address or the physical address if you want to be payed by Check.

You only have to add your payment information into your StockLogos account when you sell a logo. Until then open a PayPal account if you can as it's the fastest and most convenient way of payment. For check payment you need $200 in credit.

The first store logo payment usually takes up to 5 weeks after logo purchase date. After the first one all logos are payed within 7 days of logo purchase.

For the first 2 sold logos you get 55% (effective Aug 1, 2012) and after that 75% of the sale price. We also deduct a PayPal fee from your share, which is about 3-5%.

For auditing purposes all US vendors (designers) must complete the attached form W9. The IRS will be notified of all U.S. vendors who are paid $600.00 or more during the year. Attached is the Form W9 which must be completed, signed and dated. Payment will not be made unless the form is completed and returned to contact@stocklogos.com.

Your profile

Your profile only shows your own approved logos and the designs you bookmarked on the site. Any other information you enter in your profile is private. It is not allowed to reveal your private information anywhere on the site. Designers and clients are meant to be anonymous only known by their usernames.

Working with clients

When client buys your logo in most cases you will be contacted for customization. You can and should communicate with the client directly. Usually the clients need further work on the identity and you can work with client directly for an extra fee outside of StockLogos. One of the main objectives of StockLogos is to connect designers and clients for a mutually fruitful business relationship. You're not allowed to sell your logos posted on StockLogos to clients who found your logo on StockLogos outside of StockLogos.

Selling your logos on your own

If you happen to sell one of your designs on your own to your own clientele you have the responsibility to immediately remove the same logo from StockLogos. You're liable for any event when the same design is sold to two different clients.

What rights are you selling

Each logo is only available to be purchased once. When a client purchases a logo, he is buying all rights to that logo from you. This means he has exclusive and complete control over the logo's publication, distribution, and reproduction without any time limit. This is necessary for the client to make the logo unique to his organization. It also provides him with the flexibility to use it in whatever way is best for his organization. You can still display your sold logo in your portfolio for the sole purpose of promoting your services. If the client requests to remove it from your portfolio he has the right to do so and you have to comply.

Important rules to follow

It's not allowed to break any of the rules detailed above regarding uploaded logo work.

You're not allowed to promote your website, email address or other contact information anywhere on the site such as in your username, logo descriptions, not in comment or in forum topics. It's ok to use your business or real name as your username as long as it's not a website or email address format.

It's not allowed to offend anybody on the site by personal attacks. It's ok to criticize each other's work in a professional and helpful manner.

On contests please do not post a link to your logo or ask for feedback in comments. The comments are strictly for asking questions from contest holder in order to clarify the contest requirements.

We reserve the right to delete any users, logos, contests, forum topics or comments on the site if they do not comply with our rules and hurt the business in any way.

If a user breaks the rules he gets a strike one warning in email. After the third strike the user will be banned for life from the site.

Thanks for being a good member of the community and following our rules.

Help

If you need any help with understanding the above information or following the above instructions please feel free to email us or chat us up on when it's available. We'll be glad to help to make sure you can maximise your potential on StockLogos.

May the creativity be with you!