CartoonStock review
A focused cartoon archive with per-asset licensing and high-resolution JPEG downloads.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
CartoonStock is a web-based cartoon repository and licensing service for publishers, advertising and design agencies, businesses, educators and private individuals. Its collection includes contemporary and historic cartoons for presentations, publishing, merchandise, marketing, advertising and personal use. The service is particularly suited to buyers who need cartoon-specific licensing rather than a broad stock illustration library. Customers select a license for the intended use, pay online and download a high-resolution JPEG. CartoonStock was founded in 1997 and is operated by CartoonStock Ltd.
Licensing is the central part of the service. Published options cover commercial websites, blogs and electronic publications, as well as editorial and non-profit publications. Separate licensing supports classroom and educational use, social media and forums. This category-based approach helps buyers match a cartoon to its planned context, while per-asset downloads keep the transaction focused on individual images. The service also offers cartoon gift merchandise and can arrange commissioned artwork when an existing image is not the right fit.
CartoonStock is a clear choice for users seeking a searchable cartoon archive, high-resolution downloads and licensing for defined commercial, editorial, educational or personal applications. It may be less suitable for buyers looking for a free plan, a subscription-style asset library or platforms beyond the web. Organizations with a specific cartoon brief can also consider the commissioning option, while buyers needing standard stock formats beyond JPEG or a wider illustration focus may prefer a different service.
CartoonStock pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Searchable archive spanning contemporary and historic cartoons
- Licenses cover commercial, editorial, educational and social uses
- High-resolution JPEG downloads are available after online payment
- Where it doesn't
- No free plan is available
- Downloads use a per-asset payment model
- The platform is web-only
CartoonStock fact sheet, pricing and score →
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update