It can be stressful uploading designs and wondering if the "trademark police" will show up and bust you. Here are five websites that I use regularly to get free, easy-to-use HIGH QUALITY images. Enjoy!
Great content as always. The most important thing is to add your own touch, never use the images as they're, always modify them to create something unique and special.
Thank you so much! I get so much from your content that I just made a resolution to always comment when I find it helpful, to give a small bit back too.
Great information! I did know about the Library of Congress and Pixabay, but not the others! Wow, this opens a whole new world! Thank you so much for the information, I greatly appreciate it! New subscriber. 😉👍
I haven't started my POD yet but will be doing it this year. I also created a website and RU-vid channel earlier this year so lots of good things coming. I only knew about a few of your suggestions so thank you for that.
Super useful! I would love to see what software you use and how you use it (if you happen to be thinking of content ideas) it could be of a bad idea that you wouldn't use.
Thanks for this. I came here from your "sequel" video, and I appreciate this one just as much. In particular, I hadn't been aware of the different copyright rules that apply to government entities. One thing I will note: I read the fine print on the NASA site. It's important to recognize that the NASA logo itself is absolutely copyright protected. What's more, sometimes NASA will use third-party images (they're labeled as such), and those images are subject to that third-party's licensing, so make sure you pick an image that is actually NASA's. Lastly, photos of identifiable current/past NASA employees should be handled with care, as using them may infringe upon their privacy - it's best a) not to use these or b) to attempt to contact the individual(s) in the image to get their permission to use their photos. Other than that, things seem pretty straightforward.
I have used space images myself and read that NASA photos are OK to use.. so long as there are no astronauts in the photos. The NASA logo, however, may NOT be used as it is restricted under some sort of Federal Regulation.
Hi zen iam from India now you Explained 5 website it's good to info I have one doubt can I use this photos for t-shirts design why because they are any copy right claim that my doubt after while using it's free can I used for on my designs
Thanks for your channel and all the good info you provide. There was a video of yours that I now can't find where you mentioned that the Boris Karloff "Frankenstein" image was public domain. I recently used it in a Merch design and ........ rejected. I'm appealing it with screenshots, etc., but I thought I'd let you know that Amazon, at least, seems to think it's a no-no. Sighh. I'm bummed because I really liked what I did with it.
Yes it is beyond frustrating (especially when we are legitimately using public domain stuff). Alot of it is open to interpretation by the 3rd party site. I have Frankenstein stuff up on other sites like Redbubble - maybe you would have luck over there. That stinks!
@@zenwatercooler I just hope I didn't jeopardize my account. I'm still relatively new--Tier 100--and it's not like Merch spells a lot of things out for you! Maybe I'll post it to my Redbubble as you suggested. Thanks.
Always inspired by your content and info. Question…I constantly see the Comic Book “Crying Girl” image on different designs. Ive looked but cant figure out if that image is copy righted. Do you know or come across that image ?
Yes there are a few crying girls: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crying_Girl (The Lichtenstein stuff is copyrighted, I would avoid that) There are a few available at Creative Fabrica that are good for commercial use: www.creativefabrica.com/product/pop-art-crying-girls/ref/810893/ And you can also search at comicbookplus.com/ (everything there is public domain) Example: comicbookplus.com/?dlid=28872
Regarding pixabay (and similar sites like pexels/unsplash), whilst I know they say the images are free, i’m always a bit nervous as you don’t know who actually uploaded the image... for example, I could steal some images from an amazing photographers website and then just upload them to pixabay without them knowing... I have certainly seen some images on pixabay that I am certain shouldn’t be used by others... is there a way to be 1000% sure :p
Yes I really like text art-the difficult part is checking the trademarks on phrases (that is typically where people can get into strikes against them). I personally like longer text (more words) as the chances of it ever becoming trademarked is pretty low.
About NASA images, it also depends on who and what company too the photo. Not always NASA themselves that take the picture and then the rights to the image belongs to the photographer or the company that took the picture or wanted the photo taken. So be careful that is why they say don't use it for selling.
hey , i have a question... i've seen a lot of sellers (especially on redbubble) that they put celebrity photos on t-shirts, mugs and other stuff...so where do they get those photos and not get copyrighted? and the pictures weren't even theirs .. cuz I've seen them multiple times. Can you please recommend a website to get celebrity, anime and other cartoon images for free without copyright.
Hey there - they are uploading illegal photos that are trademarked. This is a big problem with Redbubble (and other POD sites). I would recommend staying with public domain as any copyrighted images run the risk of getting an account banned (eventually).
If I make a drawing of Superman myself, would that be ok to use it on my POD products? Sorry about the dumb question. I am worried about the entire Superman genre being copyrighted.
Hey there - no it is not a dumb question. It would be illegal to use any picture that would confuse the average consumer into thinking it was Superman (regardless of who drew it). DC Comics owns the trademark of Superman.
Yes the images in this video are public domain - meaning you can do whatever you want with them - remix, add to it, change lettering, combine - basically create some art!
@@zenwatercooler I have a store on zazzle that I put captions on stuff like shirts, mugs, caps, keychains, and a bunch of other stuff. I hate using others' images but I can't draw worth shit. I just posted a shirt on zazzle and it went through without a review.
As I understood it, it's the Nasa logo and material made by others (marked with copyright) that's off limits without permission. So unmarked photos should be ok.
Yes it can get complicated - the actual NASA logo is trademarked but any photo taken by the U.S. government is public domain. I agree with you - pictures of astronauts and space are great 👍
I think NASA has an account on Pixabay. Even if you get images of public figures and such from the public domain, I'd still be careful on what tags, titles, and descriptions you use.
Well... NASA is a U.S. government agency, so yes it's public domain. But NASA itself says no: www.nasa.gov/multimedia/guidelines/index.html. (At least not without their explicit permission.) There's 70,000+ designs on Redbubble under "NASA" so I would say it's possible to use it, but like anything, NASA COULD complain about it.
Any logo from ANY business is normally off limits. NASA specifically says on their website that their logo is protected under some sort of Federal Regulation. I would imagine that is becaues they don't need thousands of people running around with a T-shirt bearing the NASA logo. Some unethical types would surely find some way to use this as a way to scam someone.
