Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteTo use a stock agency’s watermarked preview without the watermark, license that exact asset through the agency and use the unwatermarked file it provides. If you are the photographer, use the original unwatermarked file you control when available; owning the copyright does not automatically settle what you may do with an agency-hosted preview. An editing tool can change pixels, but it cannot grant permission to use the image.
Choose the right route for your situation
| Your situation | Best next step | Check first |
|---|---|---|
| You need a stock agency’s preview for a project | License that exact asset through the agency, then use the unwatermarked file supplied after licensing. | License type, territory, intended use and the agency’s current account workflow. |
| You are the photographer or contributor | Use your original file if you control it. For the agency-hosted copy, check your contributor terms or ask the agency if the status is unclear. | Rights granted to the agency, any exclusivity or other contributor terms, and third-party releases. |
| The image is from another agency | Follow that agency’s current terms and help guidance rather than assuming Adobe or Shutterstock’s process applies. | Agency, region, whether you are acting as buyer or contributor, and your intended use. |
How to get the unwatermarked file from Adobe Stock
Find the asset in Adobe Stock and license it through the asset page or your account. Adobe says that when you license an asset after using its watermarked preview, “the watermark is removed and you receive the asset in its highest available resolution.” Use the licensed file Adobe delivers, not a modified preview. Adobe Stock: Usage and licensing FAQ.
The license gives you permission to use the asset under its terms; it is not necessarily a transfer of ownership. Adobe’s license terms restrict sharing or distributing an asset in a way that lets someone else use it without obtaining their own license. Check the current license and any use-specific restrictions before publishing or sharing the file. Adobe General Terms of Use.
How to get the unwatermarked file from Shutterstock
License the image through Shutterstock and download the licensed version. Shutterstock Help Center says, “You can receive an unwatermarked image by licensing the image.” Shutterstock Help Center: Can I get comp Images or Clips?
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Do not crop, clone, use AI, or otherwise edit the mark off Shutterstock content. Its Terms of Use state: “You may not remove any watermarks or copyright notices contained in the Shutterstock Content.” Shutterstock Terms of Use.
If you are the photographer or contributor
Copyright ownership and permission under an agency agreement are separate questions. Adobe’s contributor agreement says contributors retain ownership except for licenses granted under the agreement. That does not, by itself, determine whether you may remove a watermark from an agency-hosted preview or what the agency’s customer terms require. Adobe Stock contributor guidance.
- Locate the original unwatermarked file you control and use it if its rights and any third-party releases cover your intended use.
- If you need the copy hosted by the agency, review the contributor agreement and the agency’s rules for that asset.
- Ask the agency for clarification when the asset’s status or your permitted workflow is uncertain.
For Shutterstock uploads, contributors represent that they have the necessary rights and that their content does not infringe others’ rights. Check releases and third-party rights where applicable. Shutterstock Contributor Terms of Service.
Why “my image” does not always mean “remove this preview watermark”
You may own the copyright while having granted an agency specific rights to host, market, or license your work. The terms for the agency’s copy and the rights in your original file may therefore differ. Crediting the photographer, paying for a different asset, or possessing a preview does not establish permission to use this particular file without its required license.
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Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Terms also vary by agency and territory. Getty Images’ UK FAQ, for example, says downloaded files come with a license for specified uses, with permissions depending on the license type; that is UK-specific guidance, not a rule for Adobe, Shutterstock, or every other service. Getty Images UK: Frequently Asked Questions.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to check before using the image
- Which agency supplied the preview and which exact asset you need.
- Whether you are acting as a buyer, contributor, or copyright owner, and which account or agreement applies.
- The license type, territory, intended use, and any restrictions on sharing or redistribution.
- For contributor-owned originals, whether your rights and any required third-party releases cover the planned use.
Agency terms and workflows can change. This is practical guidance, not a jurisdiction-specific legal opinion; when a contract or ownership question remains unclear, check the current agreement and contact the agency.
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