Advanced SearchRoyalties
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iStock pays a base royalty rate of 20% for each file download and up to 40% for Exclusive contributors. Files are licensed two ways:
Pay-as-you-go
You earn your royalty based on the net value of the credits used to download your image.
Subscriptions
We pay your canister royalty based on how much of the subscriber's daily limit was used to download your file.
How much does a non-exclusive contributor make?
| Size | Credits | Royalty |
|---|---|---|
| XSmall | 1 | $0.30 |
| Small | 3 | $0.90 |
| Medium | 6 | $1.80 |
| Large | 10 | $3.00 |
| XLarge | 15 | $4.50 |
| XXLarge | 20 | $6.00 |
| XXXLarge | 25 | $7.50 |
Note: The above examples are based on the gross credit value of $1.52 USD. Royalties above are in USD. Actual royalties are based on net credit value which varies with purchase.
Earnings calculatorHow do I get paid?
iStock pays in U.S. dollars. You can convert your earnings to credits at any time at a 1-1 ratio. When your account balance reaches $100 USD, you can submit a payment request which is payable in one of the following three payment methods:
Cheque
Mailed weekly. Please allow 1 week within the US and 4-6 weeks for all other locations.
PayPal/Moneybookers
Processed on business days. Most payments are processed within 48 hours, although in some instances transactions can take up to five days.
Direct deposit or pre-paid iStockphoto MasterCard® Payoneer
Under Request Earnings, sign up for either direct deposit or our iStockphoto Payoneer card which can be used worldwide and at ATMs or as a regular MasterCard.
Curious about the full royalty structure?
See iStockphoto's royalty schedule.
Exclusive contributors make up to 40%
If you're eligible for Exclusivity, your royalty rate can reach up to 40%. You must have 250 downloads and a minimum 50% approval rating in order to qualify to join the exclusive team. Learn more
Build your reputation
Every time one of your files is downloaded your Canister icon gets a little closer to the next level. Royalties for Exclusive contributors increase with their canister level.
Shoot for higher canister levels
Photographers, illustrators and Flash artists:
Base: 1 - 249 downloads
Bronze: 250 - 2,499 downloads
Silver: 2,500 - 9,999 downloads
Gold: 10,000 - 24,999 downloads
Diamond: 25,000 - 199,999 downloads
Black Diamond: 200,000+ downloads
Videographers:
Base: 1 - 249 downloads
Bronze: 250 - 1,249 downloads
Silver: 1,250 - 4,999 downloads
Gold: 5,000 - 12,499 downloads
Diamond: 12,500 - 99,999 downloads
Black Diamond: 100,000+ downloads
Sound artists:
Base: 1 - 124 downloads
Bronze: 125 - 1,249 downloads
Silver: 1,250 - 4,999 downloads
Gold: 5,000 - 12,499 downloads
Diamond: 12,500 - 99,999 downloads
Black Diamond: 100,000+ downloads