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Is Your Flyer Design Breaking The Law? (Where To Get Free Elements Online For Your Printing)

By Printulu7 minute read
Side view of concentrated female employee wearing casual clothes and eyeglasses standing near scanner and copying documents while working and looking at camera

Picture this:

You're about to learn everything about "Is Your Flyer Design Breaking The Law? Where To Get Free Elements Online For Your Printing" — without the jargon, without the fluff, and with at least one dad joke that'll make you groan. Grab your coffee. Let's go.

Key Takeaways

7 min read

  • 1What you need to know before printing
  • 2Common mistakes to avoid
  • 3How to get the best results

If you're a business owner, you've probably dealt with trademarking at some point. Most people know about Intellectual Property Rights, Copyright Law and Trademarking (Taylor Swift's filing another copyright lawsuit, isn't she?). But many don't realise these laws apply to something as basic as their <a href="https://www.printulu.co.za/product/flyers" class="internal-link text-[#007756] hover:text-[#005d42] underline font-medium">flyer</a> design.

I've seen this countless times at Printulu. Clients send <a href="/blog/flyer-design-guide" class="internal-link text-[#007756] hover:text-[#005d42] underline font-medium">flyer design</a> briefs with images pulled straight from Google, insisting they HAVE to be on the artwork. Never mind that it's usually some cringy stock photo — sometimes with the watermark still on it!

Even worse, I've had clients send pictures from Clipart claiming this... masterpiece... was their logo. Low-res and all!

Stock image of man smiling painfully with watermark still on it

Stock image of man smiling painfully with watermark still on it

The watermark clearly shows that this image belongs to someone else (in this case, 123RF.com).

Many people get away with it, especially when running small businesses that fly under the radar. But what happens when your business grows? What if the image owner sees it? Does your small business really have money to spare battling a lawsuit?

I'm guessing not. Since I'm here to help you avoid a sad prison cell (and I'm tired of dealing with low-res stolen images), I've compiled a list of useful websites where you can legally source your design elements.

<AcademyQuote>A good graphic designer should know copyright law inside out. If they don't, you're not just getting poor design — you're risking your business.</AcademyQuote>

But first, let's define what a good designer actually is.

How do I know if my graphic designer knows what they're doing?#

There are loads of design rules and principles that any designer worth their salt knows about. More on that here: 10 Design Do's and Don'ts You Don't Want To Miss! (Designers Cringe at Number 3).

Here's the bottom line: A good graphic designer provides your company with creative work that speaks to your brand and makes it understandable to your audience. They give your business a face, a vibe, a personality — and make it functional too.

Good graphic design is essential for your business's long-term success. But it can be as pretty as a picture — if it doesn't follow South African laws, you're heading for deep trouble.

Your graphic designer should know these laws. But if you're wondering whether you've chosen the right professional, here are the basics they need to follow.

Use free fonts that are 100% free for your flyer design#

Some fonts are downloadable but specify they're only for personal projects. This means as soon as you use the font for something that might help you make money (like a promotional flyer or <a href="https://www.printulu.co.za/product/business-cards" class="internal-link text-[#007756] hover:text-[#005d42] underline font-medium">business card</a>), you could land in big trouble.

**!Text background**#
Here are a few of my personal favourite font websites:#
  1. Google Fonts
  2. DaFont
  3. Font Squirrel
  4. FontSpace
  5. 1001 Fonts
  6. Fontspring
  7. Urban Fonts
  8. FontStruct
  9. Behance
  10. Abstract Fonts

Where to find high-resolution, FREE images for your next design idea:#

  1. Pexels
  2. Unsplash
  3. Reshot
  4. Pixabay
  5. Stockvault
  6. Morguefile
  7. Picjumbo
  8. Pikwizard
  9. Rawpixel

Simply type in a keyword ("woman smiling", "family packing", for example), and you're sorted. Word of caution though: Don't just right-click and save the image to your PC. Use the download button to ensure you're getting optimal resolution.

<AcademyProTip>When briefing your designer, include links to the specific images you want from these free sites. This saves time and ensures you get exactly what you're after.</AcademyProTip>

If this sounds like too much hassle, remember that when you brief me, there's an option to add a link. Simply send me the link of images you want from any of these websites, and I can use them.

Free image of girl watching sunset

Free image of girl watching sunset

Why use stolen stock images when you can have amazing free photography instead? (Credit: Unsplash)

If you're passionate about video, make sure you use royalty-free music.#

This is slightly more well-known, but people still gloss over it. Trust me, you don't want Taylor Swift on your heels because you used her latest hit in your promotional video.

Luckily this isn't something you need to worry about when printing promotional merchandise. But if you're adding videos to your marketing mix, make sure you (or your graphic designer) use these sites. Remember to check if you need to credit the artist, and you're good to go.

  1. Bensound
  2. HookSounds
  3. No Copyright Sounds on YouTube
  4. Filmstro
  5. Purple Planet Music
  6. Free Music Archive

And if you don't feel like following these laws?#

I've talked big about how much trouble copyright infringement could spell for your business. But just how much trouble are we talking? The answer is: definitely not worth it.

Take the 2009 Guess VS Gucci battle. Gucci sued Guess for infringing on five Gucci trademarks, including similar logos.

Guess used many of Gucci's distinctive marks: the green and red stripe on handbags, the repeating inverted GG pattern, and the company's brown and beige colours (mostly with diamond patterns).

Gucci won. Guess paid $4.7 million — roughly R70 million. Got that lying around?

<AcademyDadJoke>Why don't copyright lawyers ever go hungry? Because they always have plenty of cases to chew on!</AcademyDadJoke>

P.S. If you don't have a design professional handy, Printulu offers top-notch in-house design services. We know how to keep your business out of trouble and headed for huge success! If you're not sure how to brief us, simply email support@printulu.co.za and we'll help you out.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use copyrighted images in my print designs?

No, you can't use copyrighted images without permission or a licence. This includes images from Google, social media, or other websites. Use royalty-free stock photos (with proper licensing), your own photographs, or commissioned artwork to avoid copyright infringement.

What happens if I print copyrighted material without permission?

Copyright infringement can result in legal action, fines, and destruction of printed materials. In South Africa, copyright is protected under the Copyright Act. Printers may refuse to print suspected infringing material to avoid liability.

Where can I find legal images for my print projects?

Use licensed stock photo sites like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, or Unsplash (free with attribution). Many offer commercial licences for print use. Alternatively, hire a photographer or graphic designer to create original content for your brand.

Do I need permission to use my company logo in print?

If you own the logo or have rights from the designer, yes you can use it freely. If a designer created your logo, ensure your contract includes full rights transfer. Logos featuring licensed fonts or stock elements may have usage restrictions.

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Written by

Printulu Team

South Africa's Leading Online Printing Experts

The Printulu team brings decades of combined experience in the South African printing industry. From business cards to large-format banners, we help thousands of businesses and individuals get professional printing results — delivered fast, priced right, and printed with pride in South Africa.

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