If you're a designer, photographer, videographer, or illustrator, becoming an Adobe Stock contributor can be a powerful way to monetize your creative work.

Not only can you earn passive income, but your content gets exposure inside Adobe's entire Creative Cloud ecosystem.

You'll be able to reach millions of potential buyers directly in apps like Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and Illustrator.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to start selling on Adobe Stock—from setting up your account to maximizing your earnings.

Why Contribute to Adobe Stock?

• Built-in buyer base: Your work appears directly in Adobe apps, where thousands of creative professionals are actively looking for high-quality assets.
• Competitive royalties: You can earn 33% for images and illustrations, and 35% for videos.
• Annual bonuses: Contributors who hit certain upload and download milestones qualify for free Adobe CC subscriptions.
• Global reach: Your content can be licensed by agencies, marketers, publishers, and creatives worldwide.

Getting Started as an Adobe Stock Contributor

1. Create an Account

Sign up at Adobe Stock using your existing Adobe ID or create a new one.

You must be at least 18 years old, and you should only operate one account unless you get special permission from Adobe.

2. Complete Your Profile

Fill in your contributor display name, bio, and payment info.

You’ll also need to submit tax information to receive payouts properly.

3. Understand the Portal

The Adobe Stock Contributor Dashboard lets you track submissions, earnings, and performance.

It includes stats like your most downloaded assets and insights into what buyers are searching for.

What You Can Upload

Adobe Stock accepts a variety of creative assets, including:

• Photos
• Vector illustrations
• Design templates
• 3D models
• Stock videos
• Generative AI artwork (must follow specific guidelines)

File Requirements:

• JPEGs must be 4MP to 100MP and under 45MB.
• Vectors should be submitted as AI or EPS files with JPEG previews.
• Videos should be well-lit, high-resolution, and relevant to commercial use.

Content Tips:

• No logos, trademarks, or branded elements.
• Avoid filters, watermarks, or stylistic overlays.
• Submit original, high-quality, non-duplicated content.

Legal Guidelines

Before uploading, make sure your assets are legally safe:

• If a person is recognizable, you must include a model release.
• If private property is featured (homes, artwork, cars, etc.), submit a property release.
• Avoid all branded materials, copyrighted artwork, or fictional characters.

PS. For AI-generated work, do not include famous people, brand names, or content inspired by copyrighted styles.

Adobe is increasingly strict about responsible AI submissions.

How to Add Metadata that Sells

Your metadata—title, keywords, and category—will determine whether your content is found in search results. Use this wisely.

• Title: Clear, descriptive, and accurate (avoid gimmicks or clickbait).
• Keywords: Add up to 25 relevant keywords, ordered by importance.
• Category: Choose the most accurate content category to increase visibility.

Tip: Think like a buyer!

What would someone search to find your image or video?

Submission & Review Process

Once uploaded, your content goes through a moderation process to ensure it meets technical and legal requirements.

Most reviews take a few days.

Common Reasons for Rejection:

If you get rejected, don't get discouraged.

Here are some common reasons for rejection (I got rejected before):

• Low image quality (noise, blur, exposure issues)
• Improper metadata or misleading keywords
• Content is too similar to other submissions
• Legal issues (logos, unreleased models, AI misuse)

Stay consistent and learn from rejected files to improve over time.

Earnings and Royalties

Here’s how you make money:

• Photos, vectors, and illustrations: 33% royalty
• Videos: 35% royalty
• Free Collection: If Adobe adds your asset to the free collection, you’ll receive a one-time credit

Minimum royalties vary depending on how the asset is licensed (subscription vs. credit packs), but earnings accumulate and are paid monthly once you reach the payout threshold.

You can also qualify for Creative Cloud bonuses each year if you hit certain upload and download benchmarks.

Best Practices to Succeed on Adobe Stock

Here’s how to stand out from the crowd:

Focus on quality
Only upload your best work. Sharp, clean, and purposeful content always performs better than mass uploads.

Shoot with intention
Consider commercial uses and trends—think business, lifestyle, tech, diversity, etc.

Be consistent
Upload regularly. Even 10–20 assets per week can build a strong portfolio over time.

Diversify your portfolio
Include a mix of photos, videos, illustrations, and AI-generated assets (if allowed).

Stay inspired
Follow seasonal trends, browse the bestsellers, and keep learning what works.

Final Thoughts

Becoming an Adobe Stock contributor is one of the easiest ways for creatives to turn their skills into recurring income.

Whether you’re a designer, photographer, or motion artist, uploading your work to Adobe Stock gives you access to a global marketplace of potential buyers.

Start small. Be consistent. Optimize your submissions.

Over time, your portfolio can become a valuable asset—literally.

PS. Also check out my article about current Adobe Discounts.