72 dpi or 300 dpi?

This is a very frequently asked question (FAQ) ask by readers who interested in submitting their works to Royalty Free Stock site. "Should i save my file in 72 dpi or 300 dpi?"....

Let me start to explain with this few terms we often see:-
dpi = dots per-inch (pixel/inch) (pic 01)
MP = million pixels

pic 01

For those who're working in agency or publishing company will know, for better printing quality, they'll set their picture in 300 dpi. For web designer, they will set their picture in 72 dpi (preview quality).

Here's the minimum file requirement for:-
Shutterstock 4.0MP (new photographer)
Dreamstime 3.0MP
Fotolia at least 1600 x 2400 pixels (3.8MP)
123rf.com at least 4MP (2200 x 1700 pixels)
istockphoto at least 1200 x 1600 pixels (1.9MP)
stockexpert at least 800 x 600 pixels
(off cause the bigger, the better :)

To make our job easier, we produce a picture with 4MP (or bigger) will satisfied all the Royalty Free Stock site.

How big is a file with 4MP (million pixels)?
As long as your file's width(W) x height(H) more than 4,000,000 (4 million). Example, 2400 x 1800 = 4,320,000 (4.3MP). So, if you set your file at 300 dpi, it become 8 inch x 6 inch(pic 02). If you set it at 72 dpi, it will be 33.333 inch x 25 inch(pic 03). But the end, BOTH the files are SAME (4.3MP).

pic 02

pic 03

How i submit Vector illustration

I start to submit vector illustration after many months. Here's a recap of me submitting vector illustration to all the 5 RF stock site.

Preparations

1. After finish checking and conform no more open path/open shape (read related post), converted ALL stroke path to outline, save it to EPS (ai8 version).
2. Save one more svg format for fotolia.
3. Export the same file (as big as you can, for Dreamstime) to a JPEG format for preview purpose.
4. From this JPEG file, save it into 3 sizes; 400x500(for Shutterstock), 1600x1600(for 123RF) and 1900x2800(for istockphoto).

Submit to Shutterstock

1. Upload 2 files for each vector illustration, 1 EPS file and 1 JPEG file (400x500).
2. Both the file MUST be SAME name, except for the extension. (eg. giraffe.eps and giraffe.jpg)

Submit to 123RF.com

1. After log-in, click on "Upload" link on top.
2. Choose upload "Illustrations (EPS). Each file must not exceed 5MB.
3. Attach a RGB JPEG preview of your image at 1600 x 1600 pixels or larger.

Submit to Dreamstime.com

1. Submit the original size JPEG format file first.
2. As soon as they are accepted or right from the first submission you can also upload an additional format (ai or eps format)

Submit to fotolia

1. Upload the svg format but make sure not larger than 1.2MB.

Submit to istockphoto

1. Upload the EPS file and the JPEG preview(1900x2800), your preview can be larger if you wish.
2. Upload one more EXTRA file, you skatch (lo-res JPEG will do) at step-4, to prove you are the original creator.

Related post:
Open Shapes in Illustrator

File Requirements

Dreamstime.com

Stock photos:- Only JPG files, RGB, at least 3 Megapixels, saved at the maximum quality will be accepted.

Vector illustrations:- Vector files should be saved in raster format, JPG at a high resolution, saved at highest quality and submitted in this format. As soon as they are accepted or right from the first submission you can also upload an additional format (ai, cdr or eps extensions accepted)

123rf.com

Stock photos:- Images should be at least 4 Million pixels (2200 x 1700). Anything lesser will be automatically rejected. JPEG format only with minimal 80% quality compression.

Vector illustrations:- Vector image file in EPS format. Each file must not exceed 5MB. Attach a RGB JPEG preview of your image at 1600 x 1600 pixels or larger.

Shutterstock

Stock photos:- You may upload photos in either JPEG or TIF format. The minimum size of uploaded images is 4.0MP. For example: a photo which is 2400x1800 adds up to a total of 4.32 million pixels.

Vector illustrations:- upload two files for each vector illustration you want to submit. One file is the vector in EPS format (.eps extension) The second file is a JPEG preview of that vector. The preview should be approximately 400x500 pixels. Each file should be named the same - except for the extension. (e.g. vector_example.jpg, vector_example.eps). Please keep your vector files under 5 megabytes and be sure to save them for compatibility with Illustrator 8. Also please note that Illustrations go only in the Illustration category.

fotolia.com

Stock photos:- Image must be in JPEG format. Resolution must be greater than or equal to 2400 x 1600 (4 Million pixels) & file must be less than 20 Megabytes.

Vector illustrations:- Vectors illustration in SVG format is accepted.

iStockphoto.com

Stock photos:- iStock accepts RGB, JPG files only. All files must be 1600 x 1200 pixels or larger.

Vector illustrations:- When uploading Vector files, one (max) 270x270 preview/thumbnail JPG is required. The source file for Vector/Illustration files must be a zipped EPS or AI file.