Starting My Freepik Contributor Journey: Lessons from Rejection
Published: August 21, 2025
On July 25, 2025, I officially started my Freepik contributor journey. I prepared 150 vector illustrations and submitted them for review, expecting a similar process to other stock platforms like Adobe Stock or Shutterstock. However, I quickly learned that Freepik’s review system is stricter and focuses heavily on quality. Unfortunately, my initial batch was rejected, and as a result, I am now in a one-month waiting period before I can upload again. This experience taught me important lessons that I want to share with other aspiring contributors.
1. The Harsh Reality of Freepik’s Review Process
Unlike other stock platforms where quantity sometimes helps you grow faster, Freepik values quality first. They carefully check each submission for technical accuracy, uniqueness, and commercial usability. Because of this, even if you upload hundreds of files, poor-quality or repetitive work will likely be rejected.
2. How to Upload on Freepik (Step-by-Step)
- Prepare assets: Vector file (AI/EPS) + JPG preview. Metadata (title, description, keywords) must be in English.
- Dashboard: Log in to the Contributor Dashboard → “Upload Files”.
- Upload files: Add vector + matching JPG preview. Consistency is key.
- Metadata: Write a clear title, description, and 5–30 relevant keywords.
- Categories: Select the most accurate category.
- Review: Usually 1–2 weeks. Rejection reasons show in your dashboard.
3. Why My Upload Was Rejected
After submitting my 150 files, I assumed they would be approved without issue. However, I later found out that Freepik has high expectations for design quality. My batch was rejected due to inconsistent execution and not meeting their quality standards. Because of this rejection, I was placed under a one-month “cooldown,” preventing me from uploading new files during that period. It was frustrating, but it also became a valuable lesson.
4. Tips to Improve Approval Chances
- Quality first: Upload only polished and versatile designs.
- Follow trends: Seasonal, cultural, and trending designs gain visibility.
- Clean vectors: Organize layers and reduce anchor points.
- Good previews: Sharp, attractive JPG previews make a difference.
- Consistent themes: Upload in collections rather than random designs.
5. Useful Freepik Contributor Tips from the Community
- Don’t rush uploads: Focus on quality instead of daily quotas.
- Plan keywords carefully: Keyword accuracy impacts visibility.
- Check competitors: Analyze trending files to improve your own style.
- Stay patient: Rejections are normal at first—learn from them.
6. Looking Ahead
I am currently in my one-month waiting period. Once it ends, I plan to upload another 150 improved assets with higher quality and better previews. If these pass the review, I’ll continue documenting my journey and share updates here for others who want to monetize their creative work on Freepik.
If you are considering starting on Freepik, learn from my mistake: focus on quality first, understand the submission rules, and prepare to be patient. The beginning is tough, but with persistence, it’s possible to succeed.
If you have questions, feel free to leave a comment below. I’ll respond and update this post with more insights as I gain experience.
