Inexpensive subscription clip art sites?

January 24, 2015 8:44 AM

I have been subscribed to iclipart.com for a few years now, but it's time to renew and I'm checking to see if there's another clip art site that will suit my needs for the same cost or less.

I periodically use clip art as spot illustrations, mostly in the program book for a science fiction convention I staff, and as I get too easily dragged into the tedium of trying to search online for suitable clip art and verifying that they're truly copyright-free (I have ADHD and easily hyperfocus on this task and lose hours to this), I prefer to use inexpensive subscription services.

My current subscription to iclipart.com is $79/year, is up for renewal, and I'd like to see if there's something that's similar or costs less out there before I plunk down the dollars for another year.

I am not looking for pay-per-download sites, as I usually download a bunch of pieces of different shapes and sizes and then drop them into the program book and other projects as I build them and discover the need for filler here and there.

posted by telophase to Computers & Internet (5 answers total)

Response by poster: I just realized I should probably clarify that I need black-and-white clip art! I can convert color pieces to B&W, but I don't want to do that too often, as they usually take some adjustment to keep the B&W versions from looking muddy and that just cuts into the time I need for editing.
posted by telophase at 8:47 AM on January 24, 2015

Just wondering if you have seen Dover Publications royalty-free clip art collections, which include the images on CD? They are good for black and white stuff.
posted by gudrun at 9:46 AM on January 24, 2015

Have you already looked into Open Clipart? Most of their b&w art is vintage, which might be a drawback (or might not be). The community is regulated and copyrighted things are typically taken down, so I feel confident using it. Search/organization could be better, though.
posted by wintersweet at 9:54 AM on January 24, 2015

Came in to suggest Dover-- they also have a download site called DoverPictura.com. While it's not a subscription-based site, you can register and have them keep your purchased library for you. The unique quality of the images is also worth it. But it's still not a subscription service, sorry.
posted by blnkfrnk at 11:02 AM on January 24, 2015

The Noun Project has monochrome icons for everything. Various payment options.
posted by adamrice at 9:30 PM on January 24, 2015