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How to become a contributor on Envato Elements

Envato Elements is not taking new contributors right now. Sign-ups are paused, and when they reopen Envato plans to accept only Video (templates, stock footage, motion graphics), 3D and Animated Graphics, with Fonts later in 2026. Approved authors are paid from a 50/50 subscriber share based on how often their items are used.

Checked on Envato Elements's own pages on 2026-11-12.

CostFree to join when open. Authors earn a share of subscription revenue (the subscriber share), split 50/50 for Individual and Teams plans and calculated on the base subscription price.
Who can submitInvited or approved authors only. Open applications are paused; Envato says it will reopen selectively for chosen content types.
ReviewEnvato's review team; Elements has stricter review standards than Market. No current review time is published for applications.
FitsWhen intake reopens: video templates, stock footage, motion graphics, 3D, animated graphics, and later fonts. Themes, code, photos and audio are not planned to reopen.
Time neededBuilding a portfolio that shows originality and commercial value takes weeks; the application itself is short once the form is live.

Before you start

  • A portfolio of finished, original items in one of the reopening categories (video, 3D, animated graphics, or fonts later).
  • Proof that every asset is yours or licensed for resale; Envato does not accept AI-generated content.
  • Items free of your logo, URL or watermark (service info may go in a help text file).
  • Files that are not over-compressed and are easy to customize.
  • A plan for tax forms, payout method, trader status and ID check, all required before payouts.
  • A habit of checking the Author Hub and help center for the reopening notice.

How to list on Envato Elements, step by step

  1. Check the intake status

    Envato's help center says Elements is not accepting new author sign-ups and that you cannot create an account now to upload later. Bookmark the How to apply page; Envato says the form and eligible categories will be posted there.

  2. Pick an eligible content type

    Envato names Video (including templates, stock footage and motion graphics), 3D and Animated Graphics for the reopening, with Fonts planned later in 2026. Theme, Code, Photo and Audio are not planned.

  3. Build a commercial portfolio

    Envato's advice while paused is to refine your best work and prepare items that show originality, technical quality and strong commercial use. Look at what sells in the Elements library first.

  4. Apply when the form opens

    Envato says intake will be selective and based on customer demand. It will publish the estimated wait time for decisions on the apply page.

  5. Complete onboarding

    Approved authors fill in a tax form, set a payout method, declare trader status and pass an ID check. Payment details for Elements are entered in the Elements dashboard.

  6. Upload and track usage

    Your earnings come from item usage under the subscriber share model. Watch the Elements and Author dashboards to see which items earn and build more like them.

Why submissions get rejected

  • The submission misses Envato's minimum technical quality for the category.
  • Not enough commercial utility for buyers.
  • Uploaded to the wrong category.
  • Too similar to existing items, or not enough customer demand for that type.
  • Contains your logo, URL or a watermark.
  • Offensive content, heavy compression, or files that are hard to customize.
  • AI-generated content, which Envato does not accept.

Tips that make a difference

  • Existing Envato authors also cannot add new categories during the pause, so an AudioJungle account does not get you into Elements video.
  • LUTs count as Video, not Graphics, so you need a Video invitation to upload them.
  • Higher-priced Elements tiers fund AI features, but author pay is still worked out from the base subscription price.
  • Items on Envato Market can be considered for Elements only with separate approval, so a Market account is not a shortcut.
  • Send ideas only through official Envato channels; Envato warns about phishing aimed at authors.

Example: what JustLaunched prepared

These are the texts Pushify prepared for JustLaunched, a real brand, before listing it on sites like Envato Elements. See the full sample report ›

NameJustLaunched
TaglineLaunch board for founders and early adopters
Short descriptionJustLaunched is a free launch board where founders introduce new products and early adopters try them first, ask questions and share feedback.
Tagsproduct launch, launch platform, startup discovery, indie makers, early adopters, beta testers, launch deals, product hunt alternative, saas, startups

Questions people ask

Is Envato Elements accepting new contributors?

No. Envato says Elements is not accepting new author sign-ups and there is no confirmed reopening date. When it reopens, intake will be selective by content type.

Which categories will reopen on Envato Elements?

Envato lists Video (templates, stock footage, motion graphics), 3D and Animated Graphics at launch, with Fonts planned later in 2026. Theme, Code, Photo and Audio are not planned to reopen for now.

How do Envato Elements authors get paid?

Through the subscriber share model: authors earn from subscription revenue based on how much their items are used. The split is 50/50 for Individual and Teams subscriptions, based on the base plan price.

Does Envato Elements accept AI-generated content?

No. Envato's FAQ on paused applications says it does not accept AI-generated content and will announce any change through official channels.

Can I create an account now and upload later?

No. Envato says you cannot create a new author account while open applications are paused.

Sources

The Envato Elements pages this guide was checked against.

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