CLIP ART: WHERE TO FIND IT

Need To Embellish Your Web Page or Document With Graphics? Here's How You Can Do It!


As most children can tell you, reading a book without pictures can get boring. Well, so can reading a web site, newsletter, or other document. But there is a way around that, without having to be an artist. It's called Clip Art !

Clip Art is another word for pictures, usually produced electronically, which can be inserted in a word document, online web page, or other media. Since most of us aren't artists, we may find ourselves looking for clip art sources to spice up our web site, family or business newsletter, scrapbook, photo album or any other document created on our computer. In this article we'll cover the types of clip art available, where you can find it, and what to watch out for. When you've explored the sources we list, you should have several places where you can find clip art for your own use and add a new dimension to your work. Read on!

Clip Art Basic Information

We'll start off with some basic information about Clip Art. Probably the most important thing you should be aware of is copyright infringement. Clip Art copyright generally falls into three categories: Royalty Free, Rights Managed, and Public Domain. Royalty free and public domain images can generally be used for non-profit purposes, and these are what you'll find in free download sites, for the most part. Care needs to be used when using a public domain image, because if it has been redrawn in any way, it becomes a "rights managed" image and subject to copyright laws. If you violate copyright by using a rights managed image, you are subject to a lawsuit. Fortunately, most Clip Art web sites will only use royalty free clips, so you should be safe. When in doubt, look for information on the web site itself, or don't use their clips. Be especially careful of photograph clip art, since photos generally fall under copyright laws.

Clip Art file formats fall into two categories: Bitmap and Vector graphics. Bitmap are the most commonly used, and easily worked with. These include .gif, .jpeg, .tiff, or .png. Vector graphics are usually superior, just not as common. Microsoft's clip art is a form of vector graphics.

Clip Art Sources

Clip Art is available on CD or DVD; images are royalty-free. These can purchased where ever computer software is sold, or online through sources such as Amazon.com. There are many types of collections available, such as general, holiday, and other specific categories. Depending on the number of images and CD's/DVD's in the collection, your prices can range from $10 on up to about $85. The larger the collection, the more likely you will find everything you'll ever want or need in graphics files.

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Here are some online download sites for free or cheap Clip Art. These sites are all royalty-free:

  • Free Clip Art Library is a free subscription site to unlimited clip art files. You need to sign up and complete a survey before receiving a password to their library, so if this isn't something you're comfortable with, skip this site. Their clip art is royalty-free.
  • Microsoft Office's online site has thousands of free Clip Art files for downloading.
  • Ask.com offers links to thousands of free clip art for downloads. Copyright information must be consulted for each download, since these links are not the express property of Ask.com.
  • Sign up for Dover Publications free newsletter and receive weekly downloads of free clip art.
  • KidsDomain.com has free clip art graphics available, with no need to sign up for a newsletter or take a survey. The graphics are clear and easy to see. They ask that if you are using them on a web site, that your link back to their web site in return.
  • 321 ClipArt.com asks that you link back to their site in order to use the thousands of free clip art files available there.

Remember...

Remember to check for copyright whenever you are using a clip, especially if you will be putting it on your web page. Check the information which should be available at your clip art source, whether it be from a CD, DVD or online, to be sure you can use your selected clips freely without worry of copyright infringement. And it would be a good idea to cite your sources for the clip art if the clip art will appear on a web site.

We can't provide every clip art link or source in this article, so feel free to look for some of your own. Have fun with your new project!

Resource Index

Audio-Video-and-Cameras:
Plasma TV, LCD TV, MP3 Players, TIVO, Satellite TV, Dgitial Cameras, Digital Camcorders, Bose iPod Speakers, Multimedia Projectors, GPS, Blu-ray Disc

Computer and Accessories:
Choosing a Laptop Computer, Computer Memory Upgrade, Copying a Hard Drive, Dual Monitors, Networking Computers, Microsoft Office, PDA's, Cheap Ink/Toner, Color Laser Printers, Multifunction Printers, Scanners, USB Flash Drives, Wireless Printers, Dell computers, Wireless Routers, Wireless G Routers, Wireless N Routers, Laptop Carrying Cases

Computer and Video Games:
Age of Empires III, Battlefield 2

Entertainment:
Online Gambling, Poker, Routlette, Blackjack, Craps and other Online Games, Online Casinos, Movies, Online DVD Rentals, Home Theater Systems , Home Theater Components, HDTV, HDTV Buying Tips, HD Radio, Portable DVD Players, Magazine Subscriptions

Fun-Hobbies:
Tropical Fish, Aquariums, Scrapbooking, Rubber Stamping, Geneology, Geocaching, Soap Making, Candle Making

Legal:
Criminal Defense Attorneys, Tax Attorneys, Lemon Law Protection, Structured Settlements, Investment Fraud, Bankruptcy Attorneys, Personal Injury Attorneys, Family Law

CellPhones-and-Communication
Cell Phones, Cell Phone Carriers, Prepaid Cell Phone Plans, Cell Phone Ringtones, Headsets, VOIP, Cheap Long Distance, iPhone, Blackberry, Bluetooth Technology, SmartPhones

Jobs-Schooling
Online College Degrees, Business Degrees, Home Schooling, Drivers Education, Job Resumes, Online Job Search
Internet:
Cybercrime Prosecution, IE Security, Affordable Web Hosting, Web Hosting, Domain Name Registration, Search Engines, Web Site Design, Internet Mailing Lists, Blogging, Internet Serive Providers, Free Email, Clip Art

Finance and Insurance:
Auto Insurance, Car Insurance Quotes, RV Insurance, General Insurance, Travel Insurance, Business Insurance, Basic Guide to Consolidating Student Loans, Cash Advance Loans, Federal Student Loan Consolidation, Debt Consolidation, Debt Management, Credit Card Debt Consolidation, Free Credit Reports, Home Mortgages, Home Equity Loans, Mortgage Refinancing, Mortgage Rates, Mortgage Companies, Second Mortgages, Mortgage Brokers, Health Insurance, Insurance Quotes, Term life Insurance, Mortgage note buyer, Renter's Insurance, Household Budgeting

Home:
Home improvement, Outdoor Lighting, Kitchen Remodeling, Kitchen Countertops, Espresso Makers, Food Processors, Coffee Makers, Coffee Grinders, Slow Cookers, Popcorn makers, Blenders, Cutting Boards, Refrigerators, Freezers, Washers & Dryers, Bathroom Remodeling, Kitchen & Bathroom Faucets, Bathtubs, House Windows, Closet Organizers, Window Treatments, Hardwood Floors, Carpeting, Home Security, Water Heaters, Water Filters, Carbon Monoxide Detectors, Bamboo Flooring, Portable Air Conditioners, Dehumidifiers, Siding, House Cleaning Services, Home Organization, Vacuum Cleaners, Cannister Vacuum Cleaners, Handcheld Vacuum Cleaners, Upright Vacuum Cleaners, Stick Vacuum Cleaners, Wet-Dry Vacuum Cleaners, Furnaces, Fireplace Inserts, Electric Space Heaters, Pellet Stoves, Wood Stoves, Heat Pumps, Buying a used car



Business-Office-Supplies:
Discount Office Supplies, Home Office, Office Furniture, Copiers, Home Business, Business Cards, Business Brochures, Mailing List Companies, Affiliates, Franchises, Business Telephone Systems, Employment Agencies, Call Centers, Fax Machines
Health and Wellness:
Fioricet for Migraine Relief, Online Pharmacies, Phentermine for dieting, Tramadol for Chronic Pain Relief, Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma Lawyers, Acne Treatment, Contact Lenses, Drug Rehabilitation, Cerebral Palsy, Hair Loss, Hair Loss Products, Human Growth Hormones , Diet Pills, Treadmills, Fragrances, Reducing Cholesterol, Diabetes, Obesity, Arthritis, High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease, Acid reflux, Cialis, Understanding Depression, Unraveling Diet Plans, Erectile dysfunction, Lipitor, Sleep Loss, Viagra, Autism, Asperger Syndrome, Living With Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Seasonal Affective Disorder

Gifts:
Gift Ideas, Corporate Gifts, Gift Cards, Wristwatches, Replica Watches, Sunglasses, Wholesale Jewelry, Jewelry Boxes, Wedding Gifts, Food Gifts, Books, Music, Flowers, Gift Baskets, Candles & Candleholders, Chocolate & Candy

Sports:
Health Clubs, Home Gyms, Treadmills, Golf, Golf Vacations, Golf Schools, Golf Clubs, Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Basketball

Travel:
Railroad Train Travel, Greyhound Bus Travel, Moving Guide, Rental Cars, Luxury Cruises, Maui Vacation, Spain Travel, Panama Cruise, Mexico Travel, Europe Travel, Disneyland Vacation, Disney World Vacation, Airline Tickets, Las Vegas Vacations, Las Vegas Sights, Las Vegas Entertainment, Las Vegas Dining, Lake Tahoe, Reno Vacations, Grand Canyon Vacation, Alaska Vacation, San Juan Island Vacation, Seattle Vacation, San Francisco Vacation, San Diego Vacation, SeaWorld Vacation, Yellowstone Park Vacation, Los Angeles Vacation, Bed & Breakfasts, Las Cruces New Mexico Vacation, Texas Hill Country Vacation, Columbia River Gorge Vacation, Albuquerque Vacation, New Mexico Vacation, Utah Vacation, Denver Vacation, Carlsbad Caverns, Branson, Missouri, Arizona Vacations, Jackson Wyoming, Skiing Wyoming, Skiing Oregon, Skiing Utah, Skiing Colorado, Skiing California, Skiing Washington State, Skiing Idaho

Yard-and-Garden:
Lawn Care, Patio Furniture, Hot Tubs & Spas, Gazebos, Fences, Decks, Barbeque Grills, Greenhouses, Patios, Sprinkler Systems, Landscape Design, Backyard Ponds, Bird Baths, Hedge Trimmers, String Trimmers, Wheelbarrows and Gardencarts, Lawn Mowers, Lawn Mowers, Lawn Care Tools, Lawn Edgers, Leaf Blowers, Now Blowers, Rakes