Digital Files for Editorial, Commercial, and Other Uses
Updated January 2, 2024
Turnaround time for items requiring new digitization is 12 WEEKS from receipt of payment and written clearance, if applicable. There is NO rush service at this time.
Instructions for Obtaining High Resolution TIFF Files
- Complete and submit the PERMISSIONS REQUEST FORM (online or pdf). You do not need to complete a form for each image ordered. Please submit ONE form with a listing of Image ID nos. for all images you are requesting.
- Consult the fee schedules below.
- Images found online in NYPL's Digital Collections have existing high resolution TIFF files available. Turnaround is within 2 business days. Please include the Image ID number, NOT the B-number or UUID number.
- Special handling surcharges are affixed on top of fees posted below for any oversized item; or any item deemed to require special camera set-ups.
- Digital files are transferred via a WeTransfer link. Please note links expire within 7 days of being emailed.
Payment
- Requests will be invoiced via Freshbooks for payment by credit card or bank transfer (U.S. only) through the Freshbooks website.
- Wire transfer payments are accepted for an added fee. (Domestic wire transfer fee - $25. International wire transfer fee - $35) Please email permissions@nypl.org for wire instructions.
- The only direct payment to NYPL accepted is by check.
- Permissions will not fill out any vendor paperwork or international tax forms.
Refunds
- No refunds or exchanges are given for purchase of images that NYPL does not hold/manage copyright.
- Partial refunds (less admin. fee of $50 per image for previously digitized and $75 for new digital photography) are given ONLY for non-use of NYPL copyright-held items licensed.
For non-editorial usage of material such as advertising, promotion, marketing, press kits, merchandising, etc., please contact Art Resource at requests@artres.com. Please email us at permissions@nypl.org with details in regards to requests for merchandising, and a fee quote will be assessed.
Fee Schedule 1: Images NYPL Does Not Hold/Manage Copyright
Fee Schedule below lists one-time fees per image to access high resolution TIFF files. There are no usage restrictions or limitations put on these images. If item(s) in copyright, written clearance from a rights holder is required before the Library will proceed in processing. The Library will issue an invoice with citation and credit lines. The Library will not issue or sign written "permission" or "licensing" agreements for these images. NYPL permission is not required for any re-uses or additional uses.
| Customer |
Existing TIFF File * |
New Digital Photography |
| Individuals (excluding Commercial Authors and Independent Filmmakers) | $50 | $75 |
|
Nonprofits/Museums/Government Agencies Commercial Architect/Construction/Real Estate/Design Firms (Research use) Commercial Authors Independent Filmmakers |
$100 | $150 |
|
Commercial Magazines/Newspapers Commercial Companies working on behalf of a Nonprofit/Museum/Government Agency |
$150 | $200 |
| Commercial Publishers and All Other Commercial Organizations excluding above | $250 | $300 |
*There is a $100 surcharge on top of fees posted to rephotograph images already digitized to create larger files.
Fee Schedule 2: Images NYPL Does Hold/Manage Copyright
NYPL holds/controls copyright for such photographers as Percy Loomis Sperr, Kay Tobin, Diana Davies, Martha Swope, Vandamm Studio, Friedman-Abeles, White Studio, Walter Silver, etc. Please scroll down to bottom of page to access link to complete list of images/collections the Library holds or manages copyright.
Fee schedule below lists one-time licensing fees per image based on usage and includes obtaining a high resolution TIFF file. The Library will issue a written licensing agreement restricting usage to requested project and will provide citations and credit lines. Written permission and additional licensing fees will be required for any re-use.
| Licensing Fee - Existing TIFF File* | Licensing Fee - New Digital Photography | |
| PERSONAL/RESEARCH USE | ||
| Individual only | $50 | $75 |
| BOOKS (one-time interior use in print and electronic editions, single-language, world rights) |
||
| Author Fee - Nonprofit Press | ||
| Print run up to 1,500 | $50 | $75 |
| Print run 1,501 to 5,000 | $100 | $125 |
| Print run 5,001 to 25,000 | $150 | $175 |
|
Author Fee - Commercial Publisher Fee - Nonprofit and Government Agency |
||
| Print run up to 1,500 | $100 | $150 |
| Print run 1,501 to 5,000 | $150 | $200 |
| Print run 5,001 to 25,000 | $200 | $250 |
|
Publisher Fee - Trade and Textbook (including all auxiliary editions) |
||
| Print run up to 1,500 | $150 | $200 |
| Print run 1,501 to 5,000 | $200 | $250 |
| Print run 5,001 to 25,000 | $250 | $300 |
| Print run over 25,000 | $450 | $450 |
| Book Cover Use | ||
| Nonprofit/government agencies/self-published - print run up to 1,000 | $150 | $200 |
| Nonprofit/government agencies/self-published - print run 1,001 to 15,000 | $250 | $300 |
| Commercial publisher - print run up to 1,500 | $350 | $400 |
| Commercial publisher - print run 1,501 to 5,000 | $650 | $700 |
| Commercial publisher - print run over 5,000 | $950 | $1,000 |
| EXHIBITIONS & PUBLIC DISPLAY: | ||
|
Museum video/kiosk Live Performance (one-time use) |
$150 | $200 |
| Exhibition display less than 6 months | $150 | $200 |
| Exhibition display up to 1 year | $250 | $300 |
| Exhibition display up to 5 years | $450 | $500 |
| Permanent display | $750 | $800 |
| DOCUMENTARIES: | ||
|
Free online streaming |
$100 | $150 |
|
Film Festival |
$150 | $200 |
| Commercial streaming only | $200 | $250 |
|
All media excluding commercial television broadcast, theatrical & printed materials |
$250 | $300 |
| All media excluding theatrical & printed materials | $450 | $500 |
| All media including theatrical but excluding printed materials | $750 | $800 |
| PSA's/TV TALK SHOWS/NEWSCASTS/LIVE TV PROGRAMS: | ||
| Nonprofit media(excluding theatrical and print materials) | $200 | $250 |
| All other media (excluding theatrical and print materials) | $250 | $300 |
| FEATURE FILMS/TV PROGRAMS (non-documentary) with all media excluding print materials | ||
| Set dressing | $250 | $300 |
| All other uses | $850 | $900 |
|
NONPROFIT JOURNALS: (fees are for one-time use in print and electronic editions) |
||
| Author fee | $50 | $100 |
| Publisher fee | $100 | $150 |
| Cover | $150 | $200 |
| NONPROFIT MAGAZINES, BROCHURES, PROGRAMMES, FLYERS, NEWSLETTERS, etc.: | ||
| Print run up to 1,000 | $100 | $150 |
| Print run 1,001 to 5,000 | $150 | $200 |
| Print run over 5,000 | $250 | $300 |
| Cover | $350 | $450 |
| COMMERCIAL BROCHURES, PROGRAMMES, FLYERS, NEWSLETTERS, etc. | ||
| Print run up to 5,000 | $250 | $300 |
| Print run 5,001 to 10,000 | $350 | $400 |
| Print run over 10,000 | $500 | $550 |
|
COMMERCIAL NEWSPAPERS & MAGAZINES: (fees are for one-time use in print and electronic editions) |
||
| Up to 1/4 page | $250 | $300 |
| Half page | $350 | $400 |
| Full page | $450 | $500 |
| Cover | $750 | $800 |
| ONLINE WEBSITE | ||
| Individual (free access) | $50 | $100 |
| Nonprofit/Government Agency (free access) | $100 | $150 |
| Commercial Organization (free access) | $150 | $200 |
| Any Fee-based/Subscription Website | $250 | $300 |
| SOCIAL MEDIA (i.e. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) | ||
| (up to one month's use) | ||
| Nonprofit/Government Agency | $150 | $200 |
| Commercial Organization (Non-promotional) | $200 | $250 |
| Commercial Organization (Promotional) | $250 | $300 |
*There is a $100 surcharge on top of fees to rephotograph images already digitized to create larger files.
Existing Digital File
Regular delivery: within 2 business days.
Rush (same day delivery if order placed before 4:00pm EST): +$50 per image
New Digital File
RUSH SERVICE IS SUSPENDED. Files are delivered in 12 weeks.
Delivery
Digital files are transferred via a WeTransfer link. Please note links expire within 7 days of being emailed.