Here’s a quick and simple step-by-step guide to how to upload your vector illustrations to iStock using the ESP upload system.

Step 1: Prepare your files for upload

  • Save your vector files as Adobe Illustrator 10 compatible EPS files
  • Save an RGB JPEG preview of your file, at least 1900 x 2800px
  • Make sure your EPS and your JPEG preview have the same name (ie ‘illustration.eps’ and ‘illustration.jpg’)
  • Have all of your reference photos/sketches, and any Model and/or Property Releases ready to go (if required)

Step 2: Go to esp.gettyimages.com and log into your iStock contributor account

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Step 3: In the ‘My Content’ box, click on the ‘Upload & review content‘ link

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Step 4: Create a new Submission batch for your files

  • In the Overview tab, choose your file type from the drop-down menu (‘iStock Creative Illustration‘)
  • Give your Submission batch a name. This name is only for your own reference, it is not shown to clients
  • Click on the green + New Submission button

06-UploadPageStep 5: Add files to your Submission

  • Click and drag your files onto the central gray box with the ‘+‘ symbol to begin uploading
  • Alternately, you can click the ‘+‘ to browse your computer for your files, or link to your DropBox account
  • You can upload up to 100 illustrations per Submission batch

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Step 6: Add your file Titles, Descriptions and Date Created

  • Click on the file(s) you would like to edit
  • You can edit one file at a time, or multiple files at once
  • Selected files will have a black outline
  • Under the Text Descriptions tab on the right, you can enter your file’s Title, Description, and Date Created

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Step 7: Add your Keywords

  • Once you’ve added a Title to your file you can click on the blue button under Keywords
  • This brings up a pop-up that suggests keywords for you, based on the title of your file
  • Check off the boxes for any relevant terms an click Apply
  • You can also use the text field to type in your keywords

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Step 8: Upload your reference images and Model/Property Releases (if required)

  • If your file requires reference imagery or any Releases, click on the Upload new release link under the Releases tab on the right

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  • Click on the blue ‘Browse’ button to upload your reference or Release

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  • Choose the type of release using the drop-down Release Type menu
  • If you’re uploading a reference image, choose Property Release as your Release Type
  • When finished, close the Releases tab to return to your Submission

IMPORTANT: Make sure you click the checkbox in the Releases tab in order to attach your reference/Release to each illustration in your submission (bottom right):

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Step 9: Save and submit your illustrations

  • Once you’ve added your metadata and attached your reference/Releases, click on the green Save button on the top right
  • Once you’ve saved your files, click on the blue Submit on the top left to send them in for inspection

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For more detailed instructions on how to upload files using ESP, check out the Getting Started Guide, which features tutorial videos, content licensing basics, contributor tools, and more.