I love finding really cute and nice clip art and graphics, especially if they are FREE! I have learned some things that I thought might benefit someone, although it's possible everyone else already knows this. I use the terms clip art and graphics interchangeably, but some may see a distinct difference. They're all pictures to me.
First and foremost, and information you should have read over and over again, DO NOT HOTLINK! This means don't borrow someone else's URL for a graphic. Each website only offers so much bandwidth and if you go around using up bandwidth that isn't yours, you are stealing what someone else is paying for.
If you like a graphic download it to your computer, usually by right-clicking on it and then selecting Save As. Once you've saved it to your computer, go to your favorite photo hosting website and upload the graphic. Now you can use it on any website you want to, provided you are following the Terms of Use from the website you got the graphic from.
When saving clip art to your computer make a separate file for each website you get your clip art from. I name the folder the name of the website. There are several reasons for this:
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When someone asks you where you got that cute graphic you can tell them. Even though the graphics may have been public domain and I don't have to link back to the website I found it at, someone is always bound to ask where I found it. I have a ton of graphics that I like and would like to find a similar graphic but now I can't remember where I got it.
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If a graphic is linkware, meaning you have to link back to the website you found it at, having the folder named with the URL tells me exactly what URL I am going to link to. Don't forget to download the website logo offered. These logos give credit to the artist and most Terms of Use require that it be on every page you use their graphics. Don't rely on that logo to tell you exactly what to link to. Most say just the name of the website and don't include whether it was a .com or .net.
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Having the link also helps me to find that websites Terms of Use. While they are basically all the same, they can vary. Some allow you to use the graphic in e-mails or personal craft projects, others only allow you to use it on a personal website and not a commercial website. Still others want you to send them a link to the website you used their graphics on; they're curious and like to see how their work is being used. Before using the graphic I can find out if I am using it according to that websites Terms of Use.
There are thousands upon thousands of clip art and graphics websites. Several of them offer free graphics that they have no business offering. Such as Disney graphics. Most of these are owned by Disney and you have to buy the license to use them. Just because you didn't hotlink a graphic, it doesn't mean you have free use of it.
Feel free to share your tips!
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Apr. 10, 2007
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tips
Apr. 10, 2007
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Untitled Comment
Apr. 10, 2007
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Untitled Comment
I am sorry that I haven't been by for a visit in forever. Life has gotten busier as the children have gotten older and I don't get to blog as much as I used to, much less visit blogs. I have a new blog site now because I am trying to teach myself html in my spare time with hopes of having a business website and I figured it made the most sense to have everything in the same place. Come visit if you get a chance:) www.melissaomarkham.com