Envato Elements

What is Envato Elements?

Envato Elements is a subscription service giving members unlimited downloads from a library of millions of creative assets. For a flat monthly fee, subscribers access templates, graphics, photos, video, music, and more.

For creators, Envato Elements offers a contributor program where you earn royalties each time a subscriber downloads your work. Unlike per-sale marketplaces, you earn from a shared revenue pool based on download volume.

How the Contributor Program Works

The Subscription Model

Envato Elements operates differently from traditional marketplaces:

1. Subscribers pay monthly for unlimited downloads
2. Envato pools 50% of subscription revenue
3. Pool is distributed based on download share
4. More downloads = larger share of the pool

Your earnings depend on how popular your items are relative to all items on the platform.

Royalty Calculation

Typical per-download earnings range from $0.20 to $2.00.

What You Can Contribute

Envato Elements accepts multiple asset types:

• Graphic Templates: Social media, flyers, brochures
• Presentation Templates: PowerPoint, Keynote, Google Slides
• Stock Video: Footage, motion graphics, intros
• Stock Photos: Commercial photography
• Music and Audio: Background music, sound effects
• Fonts: Typography for commercial use
• Add-ons: Photoshop actions, Lightroom presets
• 3D: Models and scenes

Getting Started as a Contributor

Step 1: Apply to Contribute

1. Create an Envato account
2. Apply for contributor access
3. Submit portfolio samples
4. Wait for approval (1-2 weeks typical)

Strong portfolios with professional, commercial-ready work get approved faster.

Step 2: Prepare Your Assets

Each submission requires:

• High-quality source files
• Preview images/videos
• Proper documentation
• Keyword tags for discoverability
• Compliance with technical requirements

Step 3: Submit for Review

Every item goes through quality review:

• Technical requirements check
• Quality assessment
• Commercial viability evaluation
• Approval or rejection with feedback

Rejections are common initially. Learn from feedback and improve.

Step 4: Build Your Portfolio

Approved items go live immediately:

• Items appear in search results
• Subscribers can download instantly
• You earn from every download
• More items = more earning potential

Maximizing Envato Elements Income

Volume Strategy

More items mean more download opportunities:

• Aim for 50+ items minimum
• Add new items regularly
• Create variations of popular themes
• Cover trending topics and styles

Quality Over Quantity

Low-quality items hurt your portfolio:

• Study top-selling items in your category
• Match or exceed quality standards
• Invest time in presentation
• Professional previews increase downloads

Trend Awareness

Popular categories shift over time:

• Monitor what is trending on the platform
• Create assets for seasonal events
• Respond to design trend changes
• Watch what subscribers are searching for

Keyword Optimization

Discoverability drives downloads:

• Use all available tag slots
• Research what terms buyers search
• Include variations and synonyms
• Update keywords based on performance

Envato Elements Categories

Graphic Templates

High-volume category with consistent demand:

• Social media templates
• Flyer and poster designs
• Business card templates
• Logo templates
• Infographic designs

Presentation Templates

Strong demand from business users:

• Corporate presentations
• Pitch deck templates
• Creative portfolios
• Educational slides

Stock Video

Higher per-download earnings:

• B-roll footage
• Motion graphics
• Animated backgrounds
• Logo reveals and intros

Stock Photography

Massive volume, lower per-item earnings:

• Lifestyle photography
• Business imagery
• Nature and travel
• Food photography

Music and Audio

Specialized but lucrative:

• Background music tracks
• Sound effects
• Podcast intros
• Corporate audio

Envato Elements vs. Alternatives

Challenges for Contributors

Low Per-Download Rates

Individual downloads pay relatively little:

• Offset through volume
• Focus on highly-downloadable items
• Build large portfolio over time

Quality Requirements

Envato maintains strict standards:

• Expect initial rejections
• Study guidelines thoroughly
• Improve based on feedback
• Quality investment pays off

Revenue Fluctuation

Earnings vary month to month:

• Subscriber count affects pool size
• Seasonal download patterns
• New competitors enter constantly
• Diversify across categories

Envato Elements for Digital Nomads

Passive Income Reality

Once approved, items earn without ongoing work:

• No client communication
• No shipping or delivery
• Income continues during travel
• Build portfolio during downtime

Location Independence

Everything happens online:

• Submit from anywhere
• Track earnings remotely
• No timezone requirements
• Perfect for nomad lifestyle

Building Over Time

Envato Elements rewards persistence:

• Early months may earn little
• Portfolio compounds over time
• Established contributors earn consistently
• Long-term asset value

Tips for Success

Start with what you know. Focus on asset types matching your existing skills.

Study the competition. Analyze top-selling items before creating.

Batch your work. Create multiple related items efficiently.

Track performance. Double down on what earns, retire what does not.

Be patient. Meaningful income takes 6-12 months of consistent contribution.

The Bottom Line

Envato Elements offers genuine passive income potential for creators willing to meet quality standards and build substantial portfolios. Per-download earnings are modest, but volume compensates.

Success requires patience, quality focus, and consistent contribution over time. The platform rewards those who treat it as a long-term investment rather than quick income.

For digital nomads with creative skills, Envato Elements provides location-independent income that grows while you travel. Start building your portfolio today and let compound growth work in your favor.