Understanding the Unsplash License for Web Designers
The Unsplash License is one of the most generous free image licenses available for web designers. You can use their photos commercially without attribution, but there are some restrictions worth knowing about before you start downloading.
TL;DR:
- All Unsplash photos are free for commercial and personal use
- No attribution required (though it's nice to give credit)
- You can't resell photos as standalone files or products
- You can't redistribute images in templates or digital products
- Perfect for website backgrounds, hero images, and general web design work
What the Unsplash License Actually Covers
The Unsplash License gives you broad permission to use any photo from their library in your web design projects. You can use them on client websites, in marketing materials, on social media, or anywhere else you need quality imagery.
The license covers both personal and commercial use, which means you can use these images for paying client work without any additional fees or permissions needed.
What You Can Do
You have quite a bit of freedom with Unsplash photos. You can crop them, apply filters, add text overlays, or modify them however your design needs. They work well for website backgrounds, hero sections, blog post images, and general design elements.
The photos integrate seamlessly into web design workflows since there's no watermark to remove and no attribution box cluttering up your design.
What You Can't Do
The main restrictions centre around reselling and redistribution. You can't sell Unsplash photos as standalone items or bundle them into products like stock photo collections.
You also can't redistribute the images in ways that give others access to the original files. This means you can't include them in website templates, design assets, or any other products where people could extract and reuse the images independently.
The bit that trips up some designers is using Unsplash images in client templates or theme packages. If you're selling a WordPress theme or Squarespace template, you'll need to source images elsewhere since buyers would have access to redistribute those files.
Attribution Rules
Here's where Unsplash differs from many other free image sources. Attribution isn't required under their license terms. You don't need to add photographer credits or links back to Unsplash.
That said, giving credit when you can is good practice. It helps photographers build their portfolios and might open doors for future collaborations. If you've got space for a quick photo credit, it's worth including.
Using Unsplash Images in Client Work
Most web design projects work perfectly with Unsplash images. You can use them in client websites, marketing campaigns, and presentations without any licensing concerns.
Just make sure your clients understand they don't have exclusive rights to these images. Other websites might use the same photos, which occasionally creates awkward situations if competitors end up with identical hero images.
For clients who need exclusive imagery, you'll want to look at paid stock options or custom photography instead.
FAQs
Can I modify Unsplash photos for my designs?
Yes, you can crop, resize, apply filters, add text, or make any other modifications needed for your project.
What happens if I use an Unsplash photo and later find out there's a copyright issue?
Unsplash handles the licensing relationship with photographers, so they're responsible for ensuring proper permissions. However, it's worth checking their license page occasionally as terms can evolve.
Can I use Unsplash images in logos or branding work?
Technically yes, but it's not recommended. Since these images aren't exclusive, other companies could use the same image, which defeats the purpose of unique branding.
Jargon Buster
Commercial Use – Using images in any business context, including client work, marketing materials, or revenue-generating projects
Attribution – Giving credit to the photographer or image source, usually through a caption or credit line
Redistribution – Sharing or selling digital files in a way that gives others access to the original images
Exclusive License – Rights to use an image that prevent others from using it, which Unsplash doesn't provide
Wrap-up
The Unsplash License removes most of the friction from using quality images in web design work. You can download and use photos immediately without worrying about attribution requirements or commercial use restrictions.
Just remember the boundaries around reselling and redistribution. As long as you're using images in standard web design contexts rather than creating products that distribute the images themselves, you'll be fine.
The quality and variety available make Unsplash a solid first stop when you need imagery for web projects, especially during the design and development phase when you need placeholder content that looks professional.
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