In this day and age, most people know that using a tablet for creating digital drawings allows for more creativity and faster results. If you are new to this type of technology you may be wondering if you need to use a drawing tablet for Adobe Illustrator or if you can continue to work traditionally with the mouse.

It is not necessary to use a drawing tablet when creating designs in Adobe Illustrator; however, using a drawing tablet greatly improves the quality and speed at which designs are produced. Once the proper techniques are learned, most designers say they will never go back to using a mouse again.

To learn more about using a drawing tablet for Adobe Illustrator and other helpful information continue reading.

You Don’t Need a Drawing Tablet For Illustrator

As briefly mentioned above, it is not necessary to use a digital drawing tablet to create technical designs or beautiful works of art in the Illustrator program, but it sure does make things a lot easier and more refined looking in the end.

Anything done with a drawing tablet can be done with the mouse in Illustrator, however, there is a significant difference in the amount of time it takes to get the job done.

Adobe’s Illustrator has been around since 1987 which means that technology has changed a lot since then, but what hasn’t changed is Illustrators’ ability to help designers create professional eye-catching work. Now with drawing tablets becoming more popular, completed work looks even better.

Since the drawing tablet has become part of our normal lives it is becoming increasingly clear that using a tablet versus a traditional mouse is the better way, continue reading for reasons why.

Reasons Why to Use a Drawing Tablet

There is nothing wrong with using your mouse to create drawings and designs in Adobe Illustrator. People have been doing it successfully since the late 1980s.

A designer can use a mouse to create anything in Illustrator but the drawing tablet has seriously improved the way we design and the quality of our work.

Having said that, if you really want to improve the quality of the work you produce and reduce the time spent on projects, adding a drawing tablet to the mix will significantly improve your designs and productivity.

Digital Drawing Tablets Serve Multi-Purposes

Another bonus to using a drawing tablet for your designs in Illustrator is that most tablets are compatible with a broad range of programs so you can use it for other purposes other than creating awesome designs.

Technical Drawing Made Easier and More Efficient

When time and accuracy are of the essence using a digital drawing is the way to go. You can ditch the sketch pad and go straight to the tablet to get your ideas and plans roughly drawn and then go back to do your final additions and edits later.

Drawing tablets can mimic the feel of paper so you don’t feel like you are making such a large transition from paper to digital designing. This is especially great for those who work in architecture, interior design, or other forms of technical design.

More Room to Write and Draw

Another benefit to using a digital drawing tablet is that you have a larger surface to write or draw on so you don’t feel limited and cramped in your space. It allows you to move more naturally as you draw.

The standard screen size for most drawing tablets is a little over thirteen inches but some brands offer larger tablets that can be as large as twenty-four inches for even more drawing room.

Using a Stylus Is More Natural than Bulky Old Mouse

One of the biggest arguments for why you should use a drawing tablet rather than a traditional mouse is the simple fact that it is more like using an actual pen or pencil.

Benefits of using a stylus pen are:

• That they reduce the oily fingerprints that get all over the screen or surface of the tablet
• Most stylus pens are weather resistant and have a good battery life
• Offer more precise drawings with faster editing time

Using a drawing tablet allows you to move more naturally and create flowing designs that can be edited on the spot if necessary. Drawing tablets offer pressure sensitivity settings to help you achieve the thickness of lines you desire simply by increasing or reducing the amount of pressure you apply with the stylus.

Best Thing Since Sliced Bread For Artists and Animators

If you are an artist you don’t want to feel constricted by the parameters a particular device has set. That is one reason why so many people love using drawing tablets.

A drawing tablet gives you the ability to create as naturally and in some cases better than if you were using traditional methods such as pencil, paint brushes, or a mouse. 

For those who work in animation, a digital drawing tablet is a great tool as it can allow the designer to create storyboards, background designs, character drawings, and more with much less effort than in the past.

More Budget Friendly than Buying a New Touchscreen Device

Keeping our technical devices up to date can get expensive, so if buying an entire digital tablet such as an iPad is not in your budget, a drawing tablet is the best way to go.

They are less expensive, generally have good battery life, and can be conveniently connected to any computer or smart device.

So if you aren’t ready to ditch your traditional PC, investing in a drawing tablet is a good choice. Plus they can be used on multiple devices.

Drawing Tablet Trumps Using Traditional Mouse In Illustrator

After reading this article you should know that great work can be produced with a mouse in Illustrator, but using a drawing tablet will ramp up your production and improve the quality of the work that you submit. After some practice, you too will see how much a drawing tablet can improve the quality of your work and save a lot of time.

If you are familiar with Placeit, you may be familiar with some of the things they have to offer. However, when you use Placeit for your image or logo, you may find that the artwork is watermarked. This watermark is created automatically and can be annoying if you can’t figure out how to remove it. This leaves many to ask the question: Does Placeit always have a watermark?

The short answer is no, Placeit puts a watermark on artwork that has not been paid for. You can remove the watermark from Placeit by purchasing the single artwork download, or signing up for a paid subscription.

Reading this article will help you figure out which method of removing these watermarks is best for you.

Does Placeit Have a Watermark?

As you may know, Placeit is an online platform that allows users to create logos, images, videos, and more. There are copyright safety concerns that take place when using Placeit that may include watermarks.

Watermarks are typically on the majority of any image or logo found online. These not only provide custom branding, but also ensure they are not being stolen and used as someone else’s design when you are the creator.

Placeit watermarks all of it’s artwork templates until the user has logged into their paid subscription account, or purchased a single download template.

Placeit has Free Templates

If you are someone who is looking for a free template to use for your logo or design, then you’ll want to consider Placeit’s Free Templates.

Placeit offers 100% free templates to customize and download. These templates are the exception to the rule, whereas the free templates on Placeit do not have a watermark when downloaded. All you need to do is create a free account. This lets you save, download, edit and use these free templates how you intend to.

Removing a Watermark from Placeit

Since Placeit is a paid platform that requires a subscription, the easy way to remove the watermark from a Placeit template is by purchasing a subscription. Once purchased, any assets that you create will not have a watermark. There are 2 purchase options:

Unlimited Subscription – $19.95 per month or $99.95 per year – Includes unlimited access to all of Placeit’s templates

Single Purchases – You only pay for what asset you need – This is mainly for those one-time use scenarios

Pro Tip: In most cases, it’s cheaper to buy a single month of Unlimited than to buy a single purchase download. Using a coupon code can bring the monthly cost down to only $12.70 for a full month of Unlimited.

Conclusion

Because Placeit is a paid subscription platform, Placeit watermarks are inevitable unless you purchase each asset individually or purchase a subscription.

However, for only $12.70 you can get a full month of Unlimited Placeit downloads and get as many watermark-free templates as your heart desires.

Sometimes when you open a word document, you might see a giant sign over the text. It could be a phrase like CONFIDENTIAL or DO NOT COPY. This is called a Watermark, and in some cases, you might want to remove them from your document.

To remove Watermarks, first, select Watermark from the Design tab in Word. The option to delete the watermark will then appear. Your Word document’s watermark will be removed by simply selecting this option. If however you are trying to remove someone else’s watermark, you will not be able to do so in Word.

In this article, we will explore what watermarks are, why they are important, and how you can remove them from your Document. Read on to find out how.

Why Can’t I Remove Watermarks In Word?

A watermark is a pattern or wording that is placed over the background of an image or piece of text in order to indicate who owns the copyright to it, or to provide specific information. By making it obvious and giving it a large presence in the work, a watermark can assist in preventing misuse of important documents.

Many professionals use watermarks to show that their documents belong to them. They want to utilize their materials on their websites, social media pages, and other platforms, but they also want to include a disclaimer that says you shouldn’t duplicate or distribute them freely

Watermarks can be found in images, and even Word document files. If you can’t remove these watermarks, this is likely why:

• The Document is Read Only: Sometimes, important documents cant be edited if the user is not the creator of the document. To resolve this, you need to click the “enable editing” option and you can remove your watermark.
• You are Using an Older Version of Word: In recent Word documents, the option to remove Watermarks in under the Design tab, but in older versions it is under the Page Layout Section
• The Watermark Was Saved: When you remove a watermark, sometimes it might come back when you reopen the document. This is likely because the document wasn’t saved correctly. View your documents save history under File, Info, and then Version History to check if Word was saved when your Watermark was removed.

These watermarks might be used in a formal situation to identify confidential documents, allowing users to keep their information private while still distributing it to those who require it. In conclusion, watermarks are a terrific way to claim ownership of documents and prevent copying, but they are also simple to remove when this is no longer necessary.

How Do I Remove a Watermark in a Word Document

To remove a watermark from a word document, you should follow these steps. First open the Design tab and select Watermark. Then you will see an option to remove Watermark. Simply click this option, and the watermark will be gone from your word document. You can also add a custom watermark from the same menu.

If that doesn’t work, then try this. Click the insert tab and then click Header. You will see an option to edit your header and then you can remove your watermark with the delete button. For older versions of Word, you can find this option in the page layout section instead of the design section.

Can I Add Watermarks in Word?

There are several ways to add watermarks in Microsoft Word. You can click the design tab and select the watermark option here. There will be a few options such as Confidential, Do Not Copy, Draft, Sample, and more.

You can even add your own image to use as a watermark with the Custom Image option. Select it and you will have the option to either use a picture from your PC or a text watermark in which you can adjust the wording, font, size and more. This is very convenient because you can also search an image directly from Bing to use as your watermark without having to leave the menu.

Ensure your watermark doesn’t obscure important pieces of the document. Keep any images or crucial text or a logo at the bottom where they are and add your watermark above them. Pick a font that won’t draw attention away from the image. When used for photos, some fonts may not look as good as when used over other text.

Can an Entire Document be Watermarked?

Sometimes it can be a hassle for bigger documents to add watermarks one at a time. Thankfully Word has an option to apply watermarks on all pages at once. To use this feature go back to the watermark button and select Custom watermark. You can select from either a picture or text watermark and hit OK and this will automatically apply that watermark to the entire document.

To adjust the positioning of a watermark all you have to do is Right Click on your current area and select Insert at Current Document Position. This will add a watermark in the space where you just clicked. This can be useful in adjusting your water marks placement so that they don’t cover up or distract from important text.

Be sure to check every page of the document afterwards to make sure that the watermarks are placed correctly and do not cover up or detract from the information and text itself. You have to make sure both the text on the page and the text on the watermark itself are legible.

Concluding Thoughts

By adding a watermark, you can convey the message that you own the document and wish for it to not be shared or duplicated.

Watermarking can be beneficial for a variety of reasons, and most of the time, they are there for a reason. However, this isn’t always the case, and there may be instances when you need to get rid of them for valid reasons.

Removing Watermarks from the entire document will be a quick and convenient process. This is why you should always watermark your information, and how to remove them from Word documents.

Etsy is one of the biggest platforms online where people can sell items of all varieties, but most notably handmade items! Now, advertising your items comes with the risk of people stealing and using your photos, so you may be wondering if using watermarked photos is allowed on Etsy.

Yes, Etsy sellers are allowed to use watermarked photos, there is nothing against it in the terms of service. However, for advertising reasons, it is recommended that you don’t use them.

If you are curious as to the specifics of why you shouldn’t use watermarked photos on Etsy, keep reading! I’ve discovered a lot of very helpful information, especially for those of you who rely on Etsy sales as a main form of income.

Can You Watermark Photos on Etsy

Yes, you can use watermarks on any photos that you own and Etsy wants more income and site traffic for itself so it would be counter-productive for them to ban people from trying to protect their images from dubious people that want to steal photos and make sham listings elsewhere to scam unsuspecting people out of their hard-earned money.

Now, just because you can, does it mean you should? There are pros and cons to both of these options that you really should consider. If you are a hobby seller, you may care less about the effects a watermark will have on the traffic you get to your listings.

Deciding what is best for you and your business may seem a little difficult or nerve-wracking, but this article should be a good way for you to get the basics of a pro/con list going. Don’t worry if you are feeling overwhelmed, having your own business can be difficult.

Why You Should Watermark Etsy Photos

There are some positives to using a watermark on your Etsy photos. Keep in mind, there are cons as well and you’ll need to figure out the best way to handle this issue.

Protection

The most obvious reason is to protect your work. It’s not even just about people using your photos on merch or something else, there is a very real issue of people using others’ photos to make fake listings and scamming people out of their money.

Watermarks will make it less likely for them to use your photos because the info on the watermark and what they have wouldn’t match up. It’s not a guarantee they wouldn’t still try, but it should make them at least think twice about using the photos you post.

Advertising

The other good thing is if someone shares the photo on social media, people will be directed back towards your store so they can look at what you have to offer. This is especially true if the image is posted to a place like Pinterest, where a lot of stolen photos end up, but the watermark would divert the traffic to you instead of whatever questionable site the poster is trying to get it to redirect to.

So, it’s basically a form of free advertising that many people have taken advantage of. This should increase sales if people are pushing traffic to your website. A lot of these scammers won’t even bother editing the watermarks of the photo.

Most people are savvy enough to see the scammer’s fake listings do not match the watermark and will also hopefully report the fake listings. If someone does purchase one of these sham sales, they’ll bring the issue up with Etsy to get their money back and hopefully see that you aren’t the one scamming people.

Why You Shouldn’t Watermark Etsy Photos

Now, there are several reasons why you should think about not using watermarks on your Etsy listings, in fact, a lot of the reasons why you shouldn’t have to deal with Etsy advertising your products.

Advertisement

Etsy themselves recommend you don’t use the watermarks because it can affect some of the eligibility for your shop in their advertising.

The big one is that you make your listing ineligible for the e-mail they send out called “Etsy Finds”. They send out e-mails with some cool items for sale from various shops listed on their website. A watermark will guarantee that they don’t choose any of your listings with watermarks on the photos.

This can also make it so you don’t get put on featured listings or other advertising they do within their website. It also hurts your ability to get offsite advertising such as Google Shopping. These ineligibilities may negatively affect your bottom line and how many people actually see your postings.

What can I do to Protect my Listings

Etsy has some solid advice on how to protect your images from thieves. Some of the big tips they offer are to use brand-specific things in your listings so people can identify you and your shop from any fake listings.

The big one is using your logo in your product images. Not as an overlay, but in the actual photo, you are taking! This is a big one because it means your listing will still be eligible for all the advertising in-house and offsite.

Not only that, but you will be building your brand all on its own and you can use that to your advantage. Many big sellers have recognizable logos or fonts they use and this can really boost your recognition and generate more fans for your shop.

Conclusion

It should be semi-clear now what the positives and negatives are for deciding what option is best for you. It’s really a game of simply finding what works and maximizing the traffic that you can get to your shop.

Regardless of what you choose, there is always the risk of scammers stealing your images and trying to profit from your hard work. The internet is full of a lot of questionable people and those who want to make money off of your hard work, so just be mindful that neither option protects you completely.

If you are posting pictures that you’ve taken on Facebook or any other social media website, you may be wondering if you are allowed to post your own watermarked pictures there.

If you own the photo you are posting to Facebook, you can watermark it. However, there are some caveats on Facebook’s right to use your photos.

Now, you may be curious as to what some of these caveats may be and if there is anything that can be done about it. Below, I will cover everything you need to know about watermarking photos on Facebook and the rights you have to them!

Why You Should Watermark Photos on Facebook

Yes, you can watermark any photo that you are the creator or copyright owner of. There is nothing against you putting those photos on the social media giant.

It is recommended that you put watermarks on your pictures because this keeps them safe. They will prevent thieves from taking and using your images without permission or even profiting off of them.

Make sure your watermarks are big and not easy for someone to photoshop them off of there. Image thieves are crafty and will go to lengths to pass off your hard work as their own. The internet is full of bad people that want to profit off of other people and the work they have done, so it’s better to be safe than sorry!

Can Facebook Use My Photos?

So, you may think that because you own the photo Facebook wouldn’t be allowed to take your photo and do anything with it. This is not the case though. When you post them to really any social media, you are basically giving them a royalty-free license to use your images!

Posting photos gives them the right to use them however they see fit and they can even gain profits from your pictures. They are basically able to use anything that is posted on their website because of the user agreement when you sign up.

This obviously doesn’t sit well with a lot of people, but that is the risk you sign up for when you are using these websites. It’s a little scummy but many photographers get their income from advertising their works on social media because it’s advertising.

Not only that, but they can grant others the right to use these photos. If you are posting them to Facebook, be aware of these issues and know that the copyright laws are on their websites because you don’t want to be caught off guard.

There is more information on this subject here. It’s a good resource for seeing how much power these websites have over the personal content that is posted on their platforms. These may not be the newest updated terms and services, but this particular issue is still the same.

Does a Watermark Prevent Facebook From Using Your Photos?

No, the watermark doesn’t protect them from using your work. It can act as a deterrent though. If the image you are uploading is watermarked, that is the version you are giving them a license to use, they can’t demand a watermark-free version.

So, if you are going to upload pictures and you don’t want them to use them, the best thing to do is to put a big watermark all over it. Make sure to include a link to any off-site portfolio and your name or the name of your business.

How to Protect Your Photos On Social Media

The best way to protect your photos from photo thieves and social media websites is to simply watermark them.

If you are worried about the aesthetic of the photos, there are slightly transparent watermarks you can put over the image that don’t negatively affect how it looks. It’s not the most ideal situation but if having your work stolen is a genuine concern, it may be the only option you have.

It may also be helpful to let people know that they can purchase your photos to use commercially or non-commercially. That way you can at least make money on something that is likely to get stolen. The purchaser would receive the watermark-free version.

There is no surefire way to keep the most determined people from using your photos, but making it difficult can prevent a lot of theft. Anything that gets uploaded online is at risk of being used without permission or used in an inappropriate way.

What to Do If Your Watermarked Photos Are Stolen

There are a few things you can do if you see your photos are stolen, with or without the watermark.

Email

You can send an email to support if it’s on social media. If you see them on a website, you can email them to remove the copyrighted photo. This may or may not work, because a lot of these places will not listen.

Contact the DMCA

You can send a DMCA takedown notice to the website owner and the company they are hosting. This usually gets more done than a simple email because people fear the consequences of copyright infringement. However, if it doesn’t work, the next step would be an attorney and if they aren’t making money off of it, it may not even be worth the hassle and money.

If they are in a foreign country it can be even more difficult to get your stolen pictures removed. Remember, none of this applies if the image was posted to Facebook or other social media websites, since uploading them gives them automatic usage.

Conclusion

As you can see, the world of copyright and watermarks can be a difficult thing to navigate. The looming power that social media giants have is concerning for artists and everyday people alike. Always read the user agreements before posting your images somewhere and be aware of what can happen.

For those that may take your pictures and post them on sketchy websites, or sell merchandise with your photos, you can always do DMCA notices or hire the help of a copyright attorney.

Illustrators can make quite a bit of money as book cover artists, but those just starting out may not know what to charge. Most illustrators do a one-time payment for each project. So how much do illustrators make per book?

The amount an illustrator can make from one book varies depending on what type of book cover it is and how complex the requirements are. The amount could be anywhere from $30 upwards to over $1000.

The amount varies depending on if the book cover is premade or specifically designed for a book. An illustrator can make royalties instead of a one-time payment. It really all depends on the illustrator and what they ask for.

How Much Do Illustrators Make Per Book?

This number varies depending on the demand of the illustrator and what type of project it is for a book. A pre-made book cover will be much less than a specially designed one because there is less time and effort put into it.

Here are the many types of projects that an illustrator can take on regarding a book. This includes the following:

• Pre-made book covers
• Children’s books
• Special Designed Book Cover Requests
• Selling Via Royalties

Each of these has a different income for an illustrator. Anywhere from a one-time payment to a steady income during a book’s run.

Pre-Made Book Covers

Pre-made book covers are often cheaper for authors to buy, so an illustrator may not make as much on them as on other types of projects. This is because illustrator has artistic license to create whatever they want.

For simpler book covers, an illustrator may charge $25, while more complex covers can be up to a few hundred or even $500. Now, this amount may change if edits are requested to the cover, and extra payments can be requested. This is at the discretion of the illustrator.

Children’s Books

An illustrator who takes on a children’s book will receive more than a one-time payment. They usually will receive about 10% of royalties during the run of that book (normally one run). This is because they create illustrations for the entire book, not just the cover.

Special Designed Book Cover Requests

Specially designed book covers will bring in much more income than pre-made ones. Some illustrators can even charge more than a thousand dollars depending on their demand of them and the complexity of the cover.

Selling Via Royalties

Illustrators can sell their work through royalties. They may earn up to 10% royalties for book covers on ebooks. An illustrator can request a higher rate because there are no costs to printing the book.

For hardback and paperback novels, royalties will be less because of printing costs. The royalty amount could be as little as 1% and only ranges up to 5%. 

As for an illustrator for comic books, mangas, and other illustrated books, this all depends on how much time and effort they put into the project. If they write and illustrate the book, they would receive most of the royalties, but if it is between a writer and an illustrator, there may be a split.

Each case is different regarding royalties because no project is the same. Figuring out the royalty percentage may change depending on the illustrator, the publisher, if the brand is popular, and so on. 

How Much Do They Make In A Year

There is a wide gap between an illustrator’s minimum amount in a year and the maximum. It could be anywhere as low as $16,000 or as high as $100,000 a year, but the average book cover illustrator can make about $50,000.

So How Much Should An Illustrator Charge?

An illustrator has to make a decision on how much they should charge. If they are just starting out, they may not charge as much, but if they are in high demand, they can charge more. 

It is good to see what others are charging in the area you want to sell your book cover and go from there. The average charge for a book cover is a few hundred dollars, but this number can go up depending on the client and their demands.

Outro

Illustrators can make quite a lump sum off of a single book, or they may not make as much as you think. Either way, the amount varies drastically, case by case. Sometimes it is more, and sometimes it’s less. It all depends.

If you’re a seller on eBay, you need to take photos of your items. And if you just took the perfect picture, the last thing you want is for someone to steal it. The obvious choice to deter stolen images is to watermark them. This will lead you to wonder, “Can I watermark my photos on eBay?”

Unfortunately, eBay strictly prohibits the use of watermarks for photos on their website. While some users risk it and add watermarked photos to the end of their listing, most sellers will state it’s not worth it. Using watermarked images on eBay can result in canceled or demoted listings, lowered seller ratings, restrictions, and suspension.

Are you curious about Ebay’s stance on watermarks? Then keep reading. This article details whether or not you can watermark photos on eBay, why you should avoid uploading watermarked photos, and why eBay has such a strict policy regarding these types of images.

Can You Watermark Your Photos for eBay?

Unfortunately, Ebay’s picture policy guidelines state the following: “Watermarks of any type, including those used for ownership attributions,” are not allowed. This policy was implemented on March 1st, 2018, and has remained a policy since.

That said, you might want to think twice before uploading an image that contains a watermark.

What Happens if You Upload a Watermarked Image to eBay?

If you think it’s OK to be nonchalant about Ebay’s picture policy guidelines regarding watermarked images, think again. While you might be able to slip a watermarked image into the roundup of photographs, it’s not worth the risk. 

Some of the things that can occur from uploading a watermarked image on eBay include:

• Administratively ending listings
• Administratively canceling listings
• Hiding all listings
• Demoting all listings from eBay search results
• Lowering of seller ratings
• Buying restrictions
• Selling restrictions
• Account suspensions

The worst part is that accounts will not be refunded or paid should they be administratively removed due to misconduct. With that in mind, if you want your seller rating to remain high and make a profit, it’s recommended to avoid uploading watermarked images.

Why Doesn’t eBay Allow Watermarked Images?

At this point, you’re likely wondering why eBay is so remarkably strict when it comes to watermarked images. There are actually a few main reasons why eBay does not allow watermarks on photos.

1. eBay Promotes Product Using Google Shopping Engine

When you search for any product on Google, you can select the “shopping” tab at the top of the browser. Then, you will be met with many products that match your search, making it a cinch to find exactly what you need.

This is a very handy feature from Google, but the results don’t happen by choice. They’re generated using the “Google Shopping Engine,” which eBay utilizes to promote products on their website.

The Google Shopping Engine requires clear photos in order to promote the item. If your images have watermarks, they can’t be used to promote the products.

2. eBay Uses Product Photos for Online Advertisements

eBay also uses product photos for advertising online. Much like the Google Shopping Engine, only clear and “normal” photos can be used. If your image contains a watermark, it can’t be used for online advertisements, which is not beneficial for eBay.

3. Watermarks Can Make the Image Unclear

While the above two reasons are more valuable to eBay rather than the eBay seller, this reason is geared solely toward the seller.

Watermarked images can sometimes make the image more difficult to see, especially if it’s large or covers specific details of the product being sold. In a situation such as this, a buyer is less likely to purchase as they are unaware of what the product really looks like.

So, ditching the watermark and letting your product “do the talking” is also beneficial to you and can generate more sales.

4. Watermarks Aren’t Usually Necessary

Watermarks can do more harm than good, even when it comes to the seller. As mentioned above, they can add chaos to a photo, which deters buyers. And, honestly, they aren’t necessary for most sellers unless you’re trying to create a “brand” with multiple items.

eBay’s Old Watermark Guidelines

The latest watermark guidelines, which state that watermarks cannot be used on images under any circumstances, weren’t always the rule for eBay sellers. Before, sellers could add watermarks to their images as long as:

• They were less than 5% of the total image area
• Had an opacity of 50% or less
• Were placed outside of the primary visual
• Contained your eBay user ID and copyright symbol, and
• Did not contain any other links or texts

The critical thing to remember is that these guidelines no longer exist. As of March 1st, 2018, eBay sellers are not allowed to apply any watermarks to their images – even if they follow the old guidelines listed above.

However, if you have images on eBay that were placed before the March 2018 updated policies, they do not have to be removed.

How to Protect Photos on eBay

Since watermarks are not allowed on eBay, many sellers are concerned that their images will be stolen – something that can and does happen. If your pictures have been stolen, there are a few things you can do:

• Contact the seller or eBay customer service: Sometimes, the best way to stop something is to go directly to the source. Contact the seller and kindly ask them to stop using your photos. If that doesn’t work, take it up with the eBay customer service team.

• Change the images: This only works if the thief is using your image on your server rather than copying it and using it on their server. Change the image to something not allowed by eBay, such as asking people to purchase the item on another site. Then, report the account, and it will be removed.

Watermarks Are Not Allowed on eBay and are Not Worth the Risk

Watermarks are no longer allowed on eBay as of March 1st, 2018. Any watermarked images uploaded prior to this date will not be removed. However, uploading new images with watermarks can result in many adverse effects, such as listings being demoted or removed and account suspensions.

Video games can be found in about every home around the world. Whether the game can be found on your phone or a console they are very popular. There is no surprise that the makers of video games are in high demand. This may make you wonder what it takes to create a video game and if a graphic designer can create a game on their own.

Graphic Designers can make video games, but they are only a small part of the production of a game. There are quite a few jobs required to complete a function video game. A graphic designer works on the visual aspect compared to the coding element of a video game.

If a person only has the ability of graphic design, they will not be able to create a video game fully on their own as more in-depth skills are required. Read on to find out not only what graphic designers do when creating a video game but what it takes to become one.

Is Graphic Design Used in Video Game Development?

A graphic designer is needed when creating a video game in many cases as they will be the ones behind the visual aspect of the video game. While designing a video game many graphic designers want to create a game that draws in as many people as possible.

Video games need a graphic designer to create a nice user-friendly layout. If a graphic designer is not used the video game creators could pass over issues that may not be appealing to see. The job requirements will depend on the creator’s need for the video game.

Different Types of Video Game Designs

A graphic designer or video game designer will be the one to create visual content for video games. There are many types of design and programming skills needed to create content from the characters to the world they will explore. The four main types of video games that can be created are:

• Console
• Mobile
• Computer
• Multiplayer Online

These types of games are all created quite differently as the visual aspects as well as the users will be quite different. Games that are played on a computer will have a much different interface than an app on a phone. There are skills that a designer will need to have to work on every type of game.

How Is Graphic Design Used in Video Games?

Graphic design is used in video games by creating a readable and easy-to-use video game. Every detail of a video game from the font size to the shade of the trees comes together to create a theme for the game. A graphic designer will be able to create a visually appealing video game that goes with what the creator envisions. This includes:

• Convert Designs
• Overlays
• Shadows
• Text size, color, and font
• User Interface

A graphic designer can also help with creating logos or designs to promote the video game. They are the face behind whether a video game is promoted well or tanks. Sales rely on getting the name of the video game out there for the world to see.

How Do You Become a Video Game Designer?

To become a graphic designer for video games, you will need to have the proper skills required. Some jobs will require a bachelor’s degree and years of experience while others may take in someone as an intern.

To give you the best chance of getting picked for the job, you should build a portfolio. Within the portfolio, you could have several things such as:

• All reviews for your work
• Links to your work or different levels of your work
• Screenshots of different parts of the games you have created
• Videos of the gameplay you have created

Graphic and game designers can build their portfolios with every new job they take on to create a well-rounded portfolio to get the most response from potential clients. If you are having trouble getting into the design world you can try the many boot camps out there to better your skills and therefore your portfolio.

Bootcamps For Design for Beginners

There are many boot camps for any task you may want to become a professional at, it’s no different in the graphic design world. During boot camps, you will be given a wide range of knowledge quickly. In most boot camps, you will learn the fundamentals of programming.

You can typically choose a preferred type of boot camp depending on what skills you are wanting to learn. These different types of boot camps could be for mobile graphic designs or computers etc.

Graphic Design vs Video Game Design

Graphic designers can either be the same as video game designers or in two very different positions. It is up to the creator of the video game and the experience level when this will be determined.

While a graphic designer and a video game designer may seem the same, they have a few differences. Some of the differences between a graphic designer and a video game designer include:

• Graphic designers are there to simply create what they are told to create.
• Video game designers have much more say when it comes to how the game will work and appear when played.

Both can be interchangeable job titles if a graphic designer has the skill set to do everything needed from them. A graphic designer could technically be a video game designer too, it all boils down to the job title and requirements of the job. If there are two workers, however, they will collaborate to create a user-friendly video game.

Creating Video Games as A Graphic Designer

While a graphic designer will not be the only one working on the video game, they can potentially have a lot of say depending on the job requirements. Every position and creator of a video game will have a set game plan in how they want to approach the game as well as the requirements of the graphic designer.

Graphic design is a growing field that is needed in the online world. Graphic design comes in many forms, such as gaming, books, art, and advertisements. Graphic design helps to simplify big things into clear steps that are easy to read and follow. 

You do not need a marketing degree to have a successful job in graphic design. Having a marketing degree could open up doors to more opportunities and the ability to market yourself, however, it is not a requirement. You do not need to get a marketing degree if you just want to be a graphic designer.

It can feel like marketing and graphic design go hand in hand, but they are not. Keep reading to know how they are similar, and their differences, and understand why graphic design is a profitable and successful stand-alone degree.

What Do Graphic Designers Do?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Graphic designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers.”

Lots of different kinds of companies need work and expertise that only graphic designers have. It’s not easy to make things look beautiful, professional, and appealing to customers. Here is a list of things companies can hire graphic designers to do.

Company Logos and Branding

When you see certain logos, colors, or fonts, you immediately think of the brand or store they belong to. These things are iconic and special to all corporations and small businesses. Graphic designers have the knowledge and skills the companies need to create something unique and appealing.

Website Templates

With the e-commerce business booming, people need to have templates to create their personal websites. Those are not easy to make. Graphic designers have the background to know how to create engaging templates that encourage customers to shop.

Product Packaging

Product packaging is the designs, fonts, and pictures that are included in the products and foods that we buy every day. This is important because product packaging can compel you to purchase the product.

Books/Publishing

Books, newspapers, and magazines need graphic designers to design covers, organize and edit photos, and placement of these things. Advertisements that we see in stores are made by graphic designers.

Graphic designers will always be needed by companies and small businesses alike, so it can be a competitive and profitable field of study if you choose this path. There is a lot of growth and job opportunities if you play your cards right.

Do You Need a Degree to Be a Graphic Designer?

Many colleges and universities offer courses, programs, and even degrees to pursue graphic design. Many artists are able to launch their careers on their own.

Getting into a graphic design program or getting a degree can be helpful for the following reasons.

Creating a Polished Portfolio

This is a basic standard for any graphic designer. You can make one without having a college degree, however being in a program can provide you with resources, guidance, and professional feedback.

Access to Industrial Software and Resources

There are some things that you can’t find on your own. Colleges and universities can provide industrial-grade tools, supplies, and educators to be confident in your ability to work with the real deal.

Networking

You will be working with peers and classmates that not only have the same interests as you, but they can provide real feedback and help you more than you know. Meeting the right people gives you better networking opportunities and you will learn what major companies need from you.

There are graphic designers that are self-taught and happy with their results. It’s not impossible to be one of these graphic designers. You need to think about your skill level, perseverance, and discipline to learn on your own if you chose to go at this alone.

How Are Marketing and Graphic Design Related?

Graphic design and marketing are related in a few ways. For example, you need a good graphic designer to make the materials you need to advertise your products. Both of these things work together.

Marketing teams and graphic designers work closely together to communicate messages and feelings to their audience. This is done by:

• Colors
• Shapes
• Drawings
• Icons
• Fonts
• Pictures

The graphic designers bring in the eye-catching art, and the marketing team catches the attention of their audiences with words and information. Two jobs that work hand in hand!

Can Graphic Designers Be Self-Employed?

The world of freelance jobs expands more and more each day. Freelance workers do not have a set contract with a company. They market themselves and find their own clients from all over the world.

Graphic design is no stranger to the freelance world, with many people looking to self-employ or hire standalone graphic artists. There are many websites that provide a starting point for publishing your portfolio to clients who need your expertise.

If you are interested in becoming a graphic design freelancer, you should check out Placeit.net. You can get inspired by the different templates, or even use Placeit as your design software because everything created on their site is fully commercially usable.

Conclusion

You do not need a marketing degree to become a graphic designer. Marketing and graphic design are two separate fields, but they work together to achieve a common goal. They need each other because they are both ways of conveying a message to others. It could be for a product, or it could be to convey an educational or informative message. 

There are many colleges that provide a bachelor’s degree or a smaller program that caters to those who want to learn about graphic design. Getting a degree could help a graphic designer learn valuable skills that are needed in the professional world. Whether you go to school or are self-taught, graphic designers are creative and necessary skills to the workforce.

Congratulations on completing your book! Since the hard graft of finding the perfect words is completed, now all that’s left for you to do is find the illustrations. You want the very best quality images. The best bet is to look for royalty-free images, but are you allowed to use them for your book?

Royalty-free images have different terms of usage depending on the license you have purchased. Always check the license requirements before using royalty-free images. Below are the different royalty-free licenses one can purchase:

License	Regulations
Editorial Use Only	Allows for image use in online and offline publications but has limited copies of print runs
Commercial Use	Allows for commercial image use within specific limits stipulated by the host platform
Extended License	Allows for commercial image use, and the image can be resold and the licensor extensive distribution right within reason but the original cannot be sold

So now that we know that we can use royalty-free images for your book, depending on the type of license you have, keep reading to find out where to find royalty-free pictures and what their requirements are in terms of usage.

Where Can You Get Royalty-Free Images?

If you haven’t gone further than googling royalty-free pictures and pressed the “images” icon, you’re missing out on a world of opportunities for incredible royalty-free images.

There are many different websites that you can access to get some high-quality, royalty-free images; much better than what you’ll find just on google images. Here are some excellent websites where you can source your royalty-free images.

Envato

This website has an incredible range of high-quality images to choose from. The price for their royalty-free license is one of the most affordable on the market, so it’s a great contender for finding images for your book. With over 11 million different images to search through, they blew my mind with their options.

Shutterstock

If there’s an image on Google with a watermark, it’s usually Shutterstock. Shutterstock is one of the biggest and most popular websites that you can get royalty-free images from. With over 415 million images on their site, you now know why they are so popular.

iStockphoto

This photo gallery is owned by Getty images and boasts a huge range of different royalty-free images that you can use for your book. It really isn’t complicated to use, all you have to do is go onto the website and use the search tool to find your ideal royalty-free image.

Pexels

This website is owned by the ingenious creative company Canva, and it was quite a brilliant buy. Why? Because of the amount of amazing quality footage that Pexels has. You can create amazing art with access to some of the finest stock images online all wrapped into one neat subscription.

However, if you only want royalty-free images you can still just go to the Pexels website where there are still tons of amazing images to choose from.

Pixabay

Another awesome company that is also owned by Canva is Pixabay. You can find tons of royalty-free images on this site to make your book the must-have item for everyone. Pixabay boasts over 2.7 million images on its site. Yes, it’s not as many as Shutterstock but it’s an excellent competitor in the royalty-free stock game.

Google Advanced Image Search

Of course, you can use our beloved Google search engine to find loads of different images. The only difference is this time you will be using the advanced option. The difference between using the default and Advanced search, is that you will be able to filter the results according to the license you’re looking for.

Can You Use Royalty-Free Images for Your Book Cover?

You can use royalty-free images for your book cover, but because your book cover is ultimately the biggest aspect of catching a potential reader’s eye, this can be quite a sensitive area in how you source the image for your cover.

You always need to make sure that you have the correct license details to be able to use certain images for covers. Because covers draw attention, as opposed to the other images in a book, the owner of that image might have specific terms about how and when you can use that picture.

So the moral of the story is; always check the license details or you might find yourself with a heavy fee or even worse, a bad reputation.

Are Royalty-Free and Creative Commons the Same?

Royalty-free and Creative Commons are similar, and you can find most of them on the same websites, but they are not the same thing.

Creative Commons

Creative Commons is a non-profit organization with varying rules from loose to strict when it comes to licensing. The loosest license you’ll find is called the Attribution license. This will allow you to use or alter the image for your book for free; as long as you give credit to the creator for the original work.

Royalty-Free

Royalty-free has three main licenses and requires you to pay once for the specific license to meet your needs and be able to use the images you choose forever. The biggest difference between royalty-free and creative commons is that royalty-free is that you will have to pay for royalty-free images.

Final Thoughts

So yes, you can use royalty-free images in your book to bring the pages to life, or as accurately as you can through the royalty-free images, you can find. So go ahead and use the pictures to your heart’s content, but always check the terms of the license you have purchased.