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Stock vs custom vs library illustrations: which is right for you?
There are four ways to get illustrations for a product. Each trades money, time and consistency differently. Here is how they compare and when each makes sense.
By Abdullah NomanOctober 23, 20263 min read
Short answer: for most early-stage products, an illustration library gives the best balance: a consistent style, many ready-made scenes, your brand colour, and a one-time price. Custom illustration is worth it when the illustrations are part of your brand identity. Single stock images and AI generation are fast but rarely consistent across a whole product.
The comparison
| Stock (single images) | AI image generation | Illustration library | Custom illustrator | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | Minutes | Minutes | Minutes | Weeks |
| Consistency across a product | Low, different artists | Low to medium | High, one system | High |
| Brand colours | Usually manual editing | Hit and miss | Often built in | Yes |
| Formats | Varies | Raster images | SVG, PNG, often code | As agreed |
| Licensing clarity | Per image, varies | Depends on the tool's terms | One licence | As contracted |
| Unique to you | No | Partly | No | Yes |
When to choose each
- Stock: a one-off blog image or presentation slide.
- AI generation: mood boards, one-off campaign art, exploring ideas.
- Library: the product and marketing site from launch to growth, where you need many matching pictures quickly.
- Custom: when illustration is a core part of your brand and you have the budget and time, often after product-market fit.
The hidden cost: inconsistency
The most expensive option is often mixing sources. Each new picture looks slightly different, and a product that looks patched together loses trust. Pick one source for the core of your product and stick to it.
Check the licence
Whatever you choose, confirm commercial use, client work, the number of users and whether attribution is required. Our illustration licence guide explains what to look for.
Questions
Are illustration libraries worth it?
For most products, yes: you get a consistent style and many scenes quickly for a one-time price, instead of mixing images from many sources.
Can I use AI-generated illustrations commercially?
It depends on the generator's terms and your local law. Consistency across many images is also hard to achieve.
How much do Liniqo illustrations cost?
A one-time payment: Personal $19, Pro $39 and Lifetime $79 at early-bird prices, with 308 illustrations free. Lifetime includes every monthly drop of 100+ new illustrations.
