Clip art has survived the transition from physical cut-and-paste books to digital libraries, but its biggest shift came in 2014 when Microsoft shut down its built-in Clip Art gallery. This guide traces clip art from its paper-and-scissors origins into the AI era, showing where to find free images today and explaining what took its place.
Clip art images on clipart.com: over 21 million · Free clip art images on ClipSafari: over 100,000 · Year Microsoft discontinued Clip Art gallery: 2014
Quick snapshot
- Clip art originated from physical clip books used in print production (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).
- Microsoft ended its built-in Clip Art gallery in 2014 (YouTube, Microsoft partner explanation).
- Clipart.com offers over 21 million royalty-free images (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).
- Exact number of active clip art users today.
- Whether AI-generated art will fully replace traditional clip art.
- Detailed licensing terms for images on some community sites.
- 1880s: First printed clip art books for publishers.
- 1992: Microsoft introduces Clip Art in Word 6.0.
- 2014: Microsoft discontinues Clip Art gallery.
- 2020s: AI-generated images and vector stock sites become primary replacements.
- AI image generators like DALL·E and Midjourney are creating custom clip art on demand.
- Vector stock sites such as Freepik and Vecteezy continue to grow.
- Openclipart and SVGRepo remain popular no-attribution sources.
Six key facts about clip art that anchor its history and scale:
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| First clip art book | 1880s (woodcut illustrations for printers) |
| Microsoft introduced Clip Art | 1992 in Microsoft Word 6.0 |
| Microsoft discontinued Clip Art gallery | 2014 |
| Largest free clip art collection | ClipSafari (over 100,000 images) |
| Royalty-free clip art vector count | Over 21 million on clipart.com |
| NPR article date on Microsoft Clip Art | August 2014 |
What is a clipart?
Definition and origins
Clip art is a type of graphic art consisting of pre-made images used to illustrate any medium. The term originated from physical clip books where images were literally clipped and pasted onto layouts. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia notes that before computers, clip art was used through the paste-up process in print production. The first vector-based clip art disc was released in 1986 by Composite, a desktop publishing company in Eureka, California (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).
Types of clip art
- Vector clip art – scalable graphics in SVG, EPS, AI formats. Ideal for logos and print.
- Raster clip art – pixel-based images in PNG, JPG, GIF. Better for web and screen use.
- Public domain clip art – no copyright restrictions, often from old books or government sources.
Common file formats
Modern clip art comes in PNG, SVG, EPS, and AI. PNG supports transparency, SVG is resolution-independent, EPS is a standard for print publishing, and AI is Adobe’s proprietary vector format. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia lists these as the primary formats.
Where can I get free clipart images?
Top free clip art websites
- ClipSafari – over 100,000 free images for any use (Custom Stickers, 2023 guide).
- Openclipart – public-domain vector art, no attribution required (Teeinblue, 2026 source).
- SVGRepo – thousands of free SVG icons and clip art.
- Pixabay – free images, illustrations, and clip art under the Pixabay license.
- Public Domain Vectors – no attribution needed (No Boring Design, 2025 list).
Searching Google clip art
Google Images allows filtering by usage rights. Select “Creative Commons” or “Commercial & other licenses” to find reusable clip art. However, always verify the specific license – some Creative Commons images require attribution.
Using Canva’s clip art library
Canva includes a built-in clip art library with thousands of elements. Users can drag and drop images into designs. Canva’s free tier provides access to a large portion of the library, while premium elements require a subscription.
For home users and small businesses, free clip art sites like ClipSafari and Openclipart lower the cost of visual communication. The catch: quality varies, and licensing terms on community sites can be vague.
Where can I find free home clipart?
Home-themed clip art collections
Sites like Clipart.com, a major image repository and ClipSafari have dedicated home and lifestyle categories. The Graphics Fairy offers over 7,000 free vintage images and crafting clipart items (The Graphics Fairy, vintage image source).
Free printable home clipart PDFs
Many websites provide free printable clip art in PDF format, ideal for home crafts, scrapbooking, and party decorations. PDClipart.org describes itself as a huge collection of public domain clip art (PDClipart.org, public domain collection).
Using clip art for home crafts
Home crafters can download clip art, resize it, and print it on sticker paper or cardstock. Vector files (SVG, EPS) scale without losing quality, making them perfect for cutting machines like Cricut.
How do I access ClipArt?
Accessing clip art in Microsoft Office
In Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, clip art was formerly available via Insert → Clip Art. After 2014, Microsoft replaced that with an online image search powered by Bing (YouTube, Microsoft partner explanation). Users can still find royalty-free images through the Insert → Pictures → Online Pictures option.
Using online clip art libraries
Most free clip art is accessed through browser-based websites. Custom Stickers, 2023 guide lists Freepik, Vecteezy, and ClipArt ETC (over 71,500 educational pieces) as reliable sources.
Browser extensions and apps
Dedicated apps like “Clip Art” on Android and iOS provide direct access to libraries. Browser extensions can also integrate clip art into Google Docs or email.
What has replaced ClipArt?
Microsoft’s discontinuation of Clip Art
Microsoft removed its Clip Art gallery in 2014, citing low usage and modern alternatives. NPR’s article “Microsoft Says Goodbye To Clip Art” (August 2014) highlighted the shift (YouTube reference).
Modern alternatives: stock photos, icons, vector graphics
Today, tools like Canva, Adobe Stock, and Shutterstock offer millions of images, icons, and vectors. The first vector-based clip art disc appeared in 1986, but the real explosion came with desktop publishing in the 1990s.
The rise of AI-generated images
AI image generators such as DALL·E, Midjourney, and Stable Diffusion now allow users to create custom clip art with a text prompt. This is the most disruptive change, potentially replacing the need for pre-made libraries altogether.
AI-generated clip art offers infinite variety but raises copyright and ownership questions. Users who rely on free clip art from unknown sites also risk malware or dubious licensing – a risk that Teeinblue (2026) warns about.
Upsides and downsides of clip art
Upsides
- Quick and easy to use – no design skills needed.
- Wide range of free and low-cost options.
- Works in offline documents and presentations.
- Vast libraries available for specific themes.
Downsides
- Often looks dated or generic.
- Licensing confusion – not all “free” images are free for commercial use.
- Limited resolution for print in raster formats.
- AI-generated alternatives are rapidly making them obsolete.
How to create custom clip art (quick steps)
- Choose a vector editor – Inkscape (free) or Adobe Illustrator.
- Start with simple shapes – circles, rectangles, and paths.
- Export as SVG for scalability, or PNG for web use.
- Use AI tools – generate a base image with DALL·E, then refine.
- Add to a library – save your custom clip art in a folder for reuse.
Timeline of clip art
- 1880s – First commercially printed clip art books for publishers (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).
- 1992 – Microsoft introduces Clip Art in Word 6.0 (Sam Solomon, design historian).
- 2000s – Clipart.com and other online databases grow (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).
- 2014 – Microsoft discontinues Clip Art gallery; NPR covers the story.
- 2020s – AI-generated images and vector stock sites become primary replacements.
What’s confirmed and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Clip art is pre-made graphic art used for illustration.
- Microsoft stopped supporting its Clip Art gallery in 2014.
- ClipSafari offers over 100,000 free images.
- Clipart.com claims over 21 million royalty-free images.
What’s unclear
- Exact number of active clip art users today.
- Whether AI-generated art will fully replace traditional clip art.
- Detailed licensing terms for images on some community sites.
Perspectives from the industry
“Microsoft says goodbye to clip art – the company is ending its built-in clip art library and steering users toward Bing image search for royalty-free images.”
NPR Tech Team, All Things Considered, August 2014
“Clip art consists of pre-made images used to illustrate any medium. The term originated from the practice of cutting images from printed works for reuse.”
Wikipedia, Clip art page
The implication: the shift away from Microsoft’s library was a quiet signal that the clip art model was already outdated. Users now expect searchable, high-quality, and licensable images – not a static collection of 82 graphics.
Summary
Clip art has evolved from paper cutouts to a billion-pixel ecosystem, but the core promise – fast, easy illustration – remains. For designers and small business owners, the choice is clear: either adopt modern vector libraries and AI tools, or risk looking outdated with clip art that hasn’t changed since 2014.
classroomclipart.com, publicdomainvectors.org, youtube.com, youtube.com
Frequently asked questions
What file formats are common for clip art?
PNG, SVG, EPS, and AI. SVG is best for scaling, PNG for web use.
Can I use clip art for commercial purposes?
Only if the license allows it. Public domain and Creative Commons Zero (CC0) images are safe. Always check the terms.
How do I know if a clip art image is free to use?
Look for a license label. Sites like Pixabay and Openclipart clearly state their license. Google Images usage rights filter helps.
What is the difference between clip art and emoji?
Clip art is larger, more detailed, and used for illustration. Emoji are small, standardized icons used in text.
Is clip art still relevant in design?
Yes, for certain use cases like educational materials, crafts, and quick mockups. But for professional branding, vectors and custom illustrations are preferred.
How to resize clip art without losing quality?
Use vector formats (SVG, EPS). Raster images should be resized with care – enlarging a PNG will make it pixelated.
Are there any risks using free clip art from unknown sites?
Yes – malware, poor quality, and unclear licensing. Stick to reputable sites like Openclipart, Pixabay, and ClipSafari.
What are the best vector clip art resources?
Freepik, Vecteezy, SVGRepo, and Public Domain Vectors are top choices for free vectors.
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Australia Voice, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.