Ever Had Your Digital Work Stolen? Here’s How to Keep It Safe
If you create and sell digital products—whether it’s SVG files, printables, or templates—you’ve probably worried about people stealing or reselling your work without permission. Unfortunately, digital theft is a real problem, but the good news? You can take steps to protect your creations and keep your business safe. Let’s go over some easy, practical ways to secure your digital files and prevent unauthorized use.
1. Watermark Your Previews
A simple yet effective way to discourage theft is by adding watermarks to your product images. You don’t need to watermark the actual file you’re selling, but placing a semi-transparent watermark on product previews can help prevent people from screenshotting and using your design without buying it.
Tip: Use a subtle yet noticeable watermark that doesn’t interfere too much with the design but is hard to remove.
2. Offer Limited Download Formats
Providing your files in secure formats can help reduce the risk of unauthorized edits or resales. For example, offering flattened PNGs instead of editable SVGs for certain products can make them harder to modify and resell.
Best practice: Only provide editable formats when necessary, and consider selling layered files separately.
3. Add License Agreements & Terms of Use
Make it clear how your customers can use your digital products. Adding a simple license agreement (such as personal vs. commercial use) in your product description or inside a “read me” file can prevent misunderstandings and protect your rights.
Pro tip: Clearly state whether reselling, modifying, or redistributing your files is allowed.
4. Use a Digital Rights Management (DRM) Tool
DRM tools can restrict how your digital files are used. Platforms like Gumroad and Shopify offer features to control downloads and limit access to paying customers only.
Extra security: Some tools allow you to track who downloads your files and block suspicious activity.
5. Disable Right-Click & Screenshot on Your Website
If you host your digital products on your own website, prevent visitors from right-clicking or easily taking screenshots. While it’s not foolproof, it can deter casual theft.
How to do it: Use WordPress plugins or site settings to disable right-click functionality on product pages.
6. Monitor the Web for Stolen Copies
Sometimes, people steal your designs and resell them elsewhere. You can use tools like Google Reverse Image Search or TinyEye to check if someone is using your images without permission.
What to do if you find stolen content: Contact the website or marketplace and file a DMCA takedown request.
7. Sell Through Trusted Marketplaces
Platforms like Etsy, Creative Market, and Design Bundles have policies to protect sellers and remove stolen content. Selling through these platforms can offer extra security compared to hosting digital files on your own.
Extra tip: Regularly check marketplaces to see if anyone is reselling your work without permission.
Protect Your Hard Work
Digital theft is frustrating, but with the right strategies, you can reduce the risk and keep your digital products safe. Watermark previews, use clear licensing terms, and monitor your designs online. It’s your creativity, and you deserve to protect it!
At March Design Studio, we value originality and support creators. Check out our shop for high-quality digital designs, and let’s create in a way that’s fair and protected!