Adobe Stock Rejection Experience — 21 Rejected Files and What I Learned

🚫 Adobe Stock Rejection Experience — 21 Rejected Files and What I Learned

Welcome back to my blog. Today I want to share something every contributor goes through but rarely talks about: rejections. In total, I had 21 files rejected on Adobe Stock. Each rejection came with a reason, and in this article, I’ll break down exactly what happened, include the official rejection messages, and explain what I learned so you can avoid the same mistakes.

1. Quality Issues

The very first reason for rejection was quality. I had uploaded some AI-generated images created with free tools. While they looked acceptable in small previews, at 100% zoom they showed noise, poor sharpness, artifacts, and banding. Unsurprisingly, Adobe rejected them.

“Thank you for giving us the opportunity to evaluate your image. Unfortunately, it does not meet our quality standards and cannot be accepted into the collection. Issues may include exposure problems, soft focus, excessive filtering, artifacts, or noise. See technical requirements here.”

I realized I had been trying to save costs by using free AI tools, but this led to low-quality results. Lesson learned: you can’t cut corners on quality. Adobe reviewers inspect every pixel.

My Tip: Always check your files at 100–200% zoom. Fix noise, adjust exposure properly, and sharpen carefully. If you use AI tools, refine and retouch manually before submission.

2. Similar Content in the Collection

Some of my designs were variations of popular trends, with only minor color or layout differences. Adobe flagged these as “too similar” and rejected them.

“Your submission is very similar to content already available on Adobe Stock. While some similarity is normal, excessively repetitive content will be rejected. To get approval, make sure your work is clearly differentiated with unique compositions, colors, or scenarios.”

I thought I was being creative by uploading multiple variations, but Adobe prefers quality over quantity. Too many near-duplicates frustrate customers searching for unique content.

My Tip: Instead of uploading 10 tiny variations, upload 2–3 strong and clearly distinct designs. Change perspective, composition, or subject — not just colors.

3. Technical Issues with Vector Files

Several of my vector files were rejected for technical issues: embedded raster images, low-resolution JPEG previews, and aliasing.

“Your file contains one or more technical issues. Vector files should not include raster elements. JPEG previews must be at least 5000 × 3000 pixels. Excessive compression or missing anti-aliasing can result in rejection.”

I had exported previews too small and compressed them to save space. That was a mistake. Adobe Stock requires high-resolution previews to ensure buyers see crisp images.

Always keep vector files fully vector — no raster elements.
Export JPEG previews at least 5000 × 3000 pixels.
Enable anti-aliasing when exporting to avoid jagged lines.

4. Intellectual Property Concerns

I once uploaded a photo that had a small branded logo in the background. Adobe rejected it immediately for IP violations. This was my first real lesson in intellectual property for stock contributors.

“Your content contains elements protected by intellectual property law. Logos, trademarks, and recognizable brands are not allowed unless you provide a proper release.”

This taught me to scan images carefully before submission. Even a small logo on a product can get your file rejected.

My Tip: Remove all logos, text, or trademarks before uploading. If your image includes people or property, be prepared to provide model/property releases.

5. Other Rejection Reasons

Besides the big four above, I faced several other rejection categories. These are less obvious but just as important:

5-1. Metadata Issues

Some rejections cited poor metadata: vague titles, irrelevant keywords, or too few keywords.

“Your content has insufficient or inappropriate metadata. Titles, descriptions, and keywords must accurately describe the image to help customers find it.”

5-2. Lack of Commercial Value

Certain abstract files I liked personally were rejected for lacking commercial appeal.

“While your work may be creative, it does not provide sufficient commercial value for Adobe Stock customers.”

5-3. Over Processing / Over Filtering

Heavy HDR, unnatural saturation, or too many filters made my files look artificial, leading to rejection.

5-4. Duplicate Content

Submitting near-identical files (tiny changes) was flagged as duplication and rejected.

5-5. Keyword Spamming

Repeating generic keywords or adding irrelevant ones not only caused rejections but also risked account penalties.

5-6. Additional IP & Release Issues

Some files were rejected because they contained identifiable people or property without the necessary releases.

✅ Final Lessons Learned

Going through 21 rejections felt painful at first, but in the end, it became a learning curve. I no longer see rejections as failures — I see them as free coaching from Adobe Stock reviewers. Every rejection made me a stronger contributor.

Always prioritize technical quality.
Create files with clear commercial use.
Submit fewer but stronger variations.
Write accurate, keyword-rich metadata.
Respect intellectual property and secure releases.

Today, my acceptance rate is much higher, and my portfolio is stronger. If you’re just starting out, I hope this breakdown saves you from weeks of waiting and unnecessary rejections. If you have questions, drop them in the comments — I’ll be glad to help.

Reference: Adobe Stock Contributor Help — Quality & Technical Issues