Stock images are usually full-page illustrations, typically with full color backgrounds, or photographs. Generally, stock images are more category specific and more expensive than clip art packages. The Internet is a popular source for royalty-free stock images. There are many websites where artists, photographers and designers can post images for sale and customers can purchase the right to use images for a small fee.
Royalty-free clip art is also object-oriented, often without backgrounds. There isn't a clear dividing line between clip art and stock images and the legal use for both image types is the same.
You may purchase royalty-free clip art and stock images to use without restriction, commercially and privately on business cards, websites, personal greeting cards and projects. The only restriction on royalty-free images is you can not use it to start your own clip art business. You do not have the right to resell or lease the clip art to others.
