Envato Elements In-Depth: The Ultimate Creative Subscription Explained

Table of Contents:

1. What Is Envato Elements?

Envato Elements is a subscription-based platform where users can download unlimited digital assets—such as website templates, stock photos, music tracks, video templates, and graphic designs—for a recurring fee (monthly or annually). Unlike Envato Market (ThemeForest, CodeCanyon, VideoHive, etc.), which requires per-item purchases, Envato Elements consolidates multiple types of creative assets into a single “all-you-can-download” library.

Key Selling Points:

Unlimited Downloads: You can download as many assets as you need every month (subject to a fair use policy).
Simple Licensing: All items on Envato Elements come with the same single commercial license.
Huge Variety of Assets: From fonts and graphic templates to WordPress themes and presentation layouts, the library covers a wide range of creative needs.
One Price for All: No extra cost per download; your monthly or annual fee covers everything.

2. Origins and Development

When Envato introduced Envato Elements in 2016, the creative industry was experiencing a shift. Instead of buying individual digital assets for each project, many creatives preferred a Netflix-style subscription model. Envato responded by curating a collection of high-demand items from its marketplace authors and bundling them under a single subscription service.

Early Days:

Initially, Envato Elements started with a focus on graphic design templates and stock images.
Over time, it expanded to include web templates, WordPress themes, stock video, music, sound effects, and more.

Rapid Growth and Impact:

Envato Elements quickly gained traction among freelancers, agencies, and small businesses that handle multiple design or media projects each month.
It has evolved into one of the largest subscription libraries for creative assets, competing with standalone stock photo sites, subscription-based music libraries, and other creative marketplaces.

3. Subscription-Based Model

The essence of Envato Elements is its unlimited download, subscription-based model. Rather than purchasing individual licenses, you pay a recurring fee for ongoing access.

3.1 Why a Subscription Model?

Cost-Efficiency: For power users who need multiple digital assets on a regular basis, the subscription can be more economical compared to buying assets individually on Envato Market or other marketplaces.
Creative Flexibility: You can explore multiple design concepts and variations without worrying about running up costs.
Time Savings: A single hub for diverse asset types—no need to shop around different sites or rummage through multiple subscription services.

3.2 Typical Subscription Tiers

Monthly Plan: Usually a fixed monthly rate, best for short-term or one-off projects where you need many resources in a single month.
Annual Plan: Often comes with a discount compared to the monthly plan, ideal for agencies or freelancers who consistently need assets throughout the year.
Teams or Enterprise Plans: Some organizations with larger teams may have custom-priced subscriptions that allow multiple user seats under one plan.

4. Library Overview

Envato Elements boasts millions of digital items. This massive selection stems from Envato’s long-standing relationships with authors who are already producing items for ThemeForest, GraphicRiver, AudioJungle, and more. However, the Envato Elements library is curated, meaning not all marketplace items are automatically included. Authors must meet quality standards or be invited to contribute.

Key Highlights of the Library:

Constantly Growing: New items are added each week, ensuring fresh content.
Diverse Categories: Items range from simple icons to complex After Effects templates.
Consistent Licensing: Every item is covered under the same single commercial license, simplifying usage across multiple projects.

5. Categories of Digital Assets on Envato Elements

One of the main advantages of Envato Elements is its breadth of categories. Below is an in-depth look at some of the most popular asset types you’ll find in the library.

5.1 Graphic Templates

Logos and Branding Assets: Pre-designed logos that you can customize for clients, plus entire branding kits (including letterheads, business cards, etc.).
Print Templates: Flyers, brochures, postcards, and business card designs, typically provided as Adobe Illustrator (AI), Adobe Photoshop (PSD), or InDesign (INDD) files.
Illustrations and Icons: Vector-based images for infographics, websites, or product packaging.

5.2 Stock Photos

Varied Subjects and Themes: Lifestyle, business, travel, nature, technology, and more.
High-Resolution Formats: Images often come in large formats suitable for print or large-scale web use.
Curated Collections: Envato Elements has curated photo categories to help you quickly find relevant images for specific niches.

5.3 Stock Videos and Motion Graphics

Cinematic Footage: Shots of cities, landscapes, everyday life, corporate settings, and more.
Short Clips for Social Media: Perfect for Instagram, TikTok, or short YouTube intros.
Animated Backgrounds and Loops: Abstract motion backgrounds that can be used in title sequences or behind presenters in video content.

5.4 Music and Sound Effects

Music Tracks: Spanning genres like corporate, rock, ambient, electronic, cinematic, and indie.
Sound Effects (SFX): From nature sounds (rain, wind, thunder) to mechanical noises (car engines, computer beeps, camera shutters).
Music Kits: Envato Elements may also include modular “music kits,” similar to what’s offered on AudioJungle, allowing you to rearrange intros, loops, and outros.

5.5 Web Templates and CMS Themes

HTML Templates: Static site templates using modern frameworks like Bootstrap.
WordPress Themes: A selection of multipurpose and niche themes for blogs, portfolios, eCommerce, and more.
Landing Page Templates: Specifically designed for marketing campaigns and lead generation.

5.6 Presentation Templates

PowerPoint, Keynote, and Google Slides: Professionally designed slide decks for pitches, reports, and seminars.
Infographic Slides: Slides with data-driven charts and graphics for quick customization.

5.7 Fonts

Display Fonts: Eye-catching typography for logos, posters, headlines.
Serif and Sans-Serif Families: Professional typefaces suitable for print and digital documents.
Script and Handwritten Fonts: Great for invitations, logos, and other designs requiring a personal touch.

5.8 Add-Ons, Actions, and Presets

Photoshop Actions: Automate repetitive photo-editing tasks (e.g., color correction, special effects).
Lightroom Presets: Speed up photo editing with preset styles for portrait, landscape, or black-and-white photography.
Illustrator Add-Ons: Brushes, patterns, and textures for vector artwork.

5.9 3D Assets

3D Models: Some curated 3D models and objects that can be integrated into renders or product mockups.
Textures and Materials: Photorealistic textures for 3D scenes, game environments, and product design.

6. Licensing in Detail

One of the biggest draws of Envato Elements is its straightforward, single commercial license. This license is designed to be simple, so you don’t have to wade through complicated usage terms for each item.

6.1 Single Commercial License

Under Envato Elements’ single commercial license, you can:

Use downloaded items for personal or commercial projects.
Integrate assets into end-products for sale (e.g., a client’s marketing materials or a video advertisement), as long as you follow the rest of the licensing terms.

6.2 Project Registration

To comply with licensing rules, each time you download an item, you’re prompted to assign it to a “project.” This helps track usage rights so that you (and Envato) know which items are used in which project.

Example:

If you’re making a promotional video for a client, you register the downloaded stock music for that specific video project.
If you later want to use that same track for a different project, you must download (and thus register) it again under the new project.

6.3 Continued Use After Subscription Ends

If you used an Envato Elements asset in a project while your subscription was active, you can continue using that asset for that specific project forever, even if you eventually cancel your subscription.

However:

You cannot create new projects with the previously downloaded items once the subscription is inactive.
This ensures that assets aren’t “stockpiled” for future use without paying for the subscription.

6.4 Limitations and Restrictions

Reselling Items “As-Is”: You cannot take an asset (e.g., a stock photo) and resell it as your own. Your usage must be transformative or integrated into a broader project.
No On-Demand Services: You generally can’t use Envato Elements items in services like “print-on-demand” where customers pick assets themselves (e.g., a custom T-shirt store that lets users choose designs you didn’t create).
Sensitive Use: You may not use items in a way that depicts identifiable people in sensitive or controversial situations without explicit consent.

7. How to Use Envato Elements

7.1 Setting Up an Account

Create an Envato Account: If you already have an Envato Market account, you can use the same login.
Choose a Subscription Plan: Pick monthly or annual, or explore business solutions if you have a team.

7.2 Navigating and Searching for Assets

Search Bar: Start typing keywords, and Envato Elements auto-suggests categories or specific item types.
Filters: Narrow down results by file type, orientation (for images), length (for audio), or software compatibility.
Categories and Subcategories: Quickly jump to “Stock Video,” “Web Templates,” “Music,” etc.

7.3 Downloading and Managing Files

Download Button: Click “Download” on an item to open the usage registration modal. Assign it to a project, then confirm the download.
My Downloads Section: Keep track of all your downloaded files and the projects they’re registered to.
Favorites/Collections: You can save items to favorites or create custom “collections” for easy retrieval later.

7.4 Integrating Envato Elements into Your Workflow

Collaborate with Team Members: If you have a team subscription, everyone can access the same library under one account plan (with unique logins).
Sync with Design Software: Some popular design tools (like Adobe XD, Figma, or Sketch) have community-created integrations that allow for quick insertion of stock images or icons from Envato Elements.
Regular Updates: Make it a habit to check for new assets or updates to existing items (especially for WordPress themes).

8. Who Should Use Envato Elements?

8.1 Freelancers and Solopreneurs

If you handle multiple client projects each month—branding, website builds, social media graphics—Envato Elements can drastically cut costs and save time.

8.2 Agencies and Creative Teams

Marketing and design agencies often juggle dozens of deliverables at once. The unlimited model lets them experiment with multiple design directions without incurring extra fees.

8.3 Content Creators (YouTubers, Podcasters, Streamers)

Creating engaging videos and podcasts typically requires background music, motion graphics, thumbnails, and more. Envato Elements caters to all of these needs under one subscription.

8.4 Small and Medium-Sized Businesses

Instead of hiring a full-time designer or purchasing individual assets, small business owners can use Envato Elements to quickly create professional materials—social media posts, product demos, promotional videos, etc.

9. Comparing Envato Elements to Envato Market

While Envato Elements and Envato Market share the same parent company, they operate under different business models.

9.1 Pricing and Payment Structures

Envato Market: Pay per item. Some items can be under $5, while premium WordPress themes can range up to $100 or more.
Envato Elements: Monthly or annual subscription for unlimited downloads.

9.2 Range of Assets and Availability

Envato Market: Millions of items across multiple marketplaces. Authors can upload anything that meets marketplace quality standards.
Envato Elements: A curated subset of items from authors who opt in or are invited, plus exclusive items not available on Envato Market.

9.3 Use Cases and Ideal Scenarios

Envato Market: Best for one-time needs or if you specifically want an item not on Envato Elements (e.g., a specialized WordPress plugin).
Envato Elements: Ideal for those who need multiple assets regularly.

9.4 Limitations of the Subscription Model

Some premium or “elite” items on Envato Market (especially top-selling themes, specialized plugins, or advanced video templates) may not be included in Envato Elements.
If you need a very specific, niche item that’s not in the Elements library, you’d still have to purchase it separately on Envato Market.

10. Pricing, Trials, and Promotions

10.1 Monthly vs. Annual Plans

Monthly Plan: Typically around US $33–$35 per month (pricing may vary by region). Great for short bursts of intensive creative work.
Annual Plan: Usually reduces the monthly cost by around 50% (e.g., US $16–$17/month). Billed once per year.

10.2 Student Discounts

Envato occasionally offers student discounts that can significantly reduce the monthly fee for currently enrolled students.

10.3 Occasional Promotions

Envato runs promotions—especially around holidays (Black Friday, Cyber Monday)—where you might find discounted rates or bonus offerings.

10.4 Agency or Enterprise Plans

For teams that require multiple seats under one umbrella subscription, Envato offers business-tier solutions with specialized rates, user management tools, and potentially dedicated support.

11. Author Perspective: How to Get Your Items on Envato Elements

Behind the scenes, Envato Elements is also an invitation-only or application-based platform for authors. While some authors are invited directly by Envato, others may apply if they meet quality and portfolio requirements.

11.1 Invited Authors vs. Open Applications

Invited Authors: Envato often scouts top authors on its marketplaces (like ThemeForest or GraphicRiver) and invites them to participate in Elements.
Application-Based Enrollment: Authors can fill out a form expressing interest. Approval depends on the portfolio’s quality, popularity, and relevance.

11.2 Quality Requirements and Curation

Envato curates items to maintain a high standard in the Elements library. Common requirements include:

Consistent Design/Development Quality
Up-to-Date Technical Frameworks (for themes, plugins, code)
Clear Documentation and Previews

11.3 Revenue Share and Earnings Model

Unlike Envato Market’s per-sale earnings, Envato Elements operates on a subscriber share model:

Author Pool: A portion of overall subscription revenue goes into an “author pool” each month.
Earnings Distribution: Authors are paid from this pool based on the proportion of downloads their items received and other engagement metrics.

11.4 Strategies for Success

Focus on High-Demand Categories: Identify trending niches (e.g., minimalistic WordPress themes, modern corporate templates, social media kits).
Maintain Quality and Consistency: Authors who regularly update and refine their items tend to attract more downloads.
Leverage Cross-Promotion: Showcase your Elements portfolio on social media or your own website to drive more downloads—and thus more revenue share.

12. Best Practices for Envato Elements Subscribers

12.1 Effective Asset Organization

Create a Folder System: Separate items by project type or client.
Version Control: If you download multiple versions of the same asset, keep track of which version belongs to which project.

12.2 Understanding Licensing on a Project Level

Each download must be associated with a specific project. If you reuse an asset for another project, re-download and register it again.
This approach ensures you’re compliant with Envato’s license and helps in project audit trails.

12.3 Creative Workflow Tips

Batch Download: When starting a new project, gather all potential design templates, stock photos, and fonts in one go to maintain a cohesive look and feel.
Leverage Previews: Many items allow you to preview them on the site; this helps ensure you’re downloading relevant assets.

12.4 Collaboration Within Teams

If you have a multi-seat license (business plan), set up a standardized system for naming projects and assigning downloaded assets. This helps avoid confusion and duplication.

13. Real-World Use Cases

13.1 Building a Brand Identity from Scratch

A small business wanting a fresh brand identity can:

Download a logo template that resonates with their audience.
Find a brand kit for letterheads, business cards, and envelopes.
Use stock images for social media profiles.
Adapt a presentation template for pitching to investors.

All of this can be done under a single Envato Elements subscription, reducing costs and ensuring visual consistency.

13.2 Rapid Prototyping for Client Pitches

A freelance web designer could:

Download multiple WordPress themes to demonstrate different layouts.
Use graphic templates to mock up the client’s branding quickly.
Integrate stock images that fit the client’s industry.
Present everything with a clean PowerPoint or Keynote template from Envato Elements.

By doing so, the designer can rapidly show various concepts without purchasing each asset individually.

13.3 Content Creation for Social Media Channels

A YouTuber or streamer might:

Download a video intro template (After Effects or Premiere Pro) for a professional-looking channel opening.
Use a stock music track for the video’s background score.
Customize a thumbnail template in Photoshop for each new upload.
Grab sound effects (SFX) for comedic stingers or transitions.

13.4 Professional Video Editing and Motion Graphics

Video editors working on advertisements or corporate videos can:

Pull motion graphic templates to create lower thirds, transitions, and titles.
Incorporate stock footage of cityscapes or nature scenes for B-roll.
Layer in audio FX to emphasize brand reveals or product demos.

14. Potential Drawbacks and Considerations

14.1 Asset Overlap with Envato Market

Some items on Envato Elements are also on Envato Market, but not all marketplace items make it to Elements. If you need a very niche or specialized item, you might not find it on Elements.

14.2 Quality Variations and Curation Limits

While the curation process generally keeps quality high, there can still be variations in quality among authors. Some items might feel less polished than Envato’s top-tier marketplace bestsellers.

14.3 License Management Complexity

Though the license is straightforward, maintaining proper project registration for dozens of downloaded assets can become cumbersome if you’re not organized.

14.4 Author Limitations

Authors do not earn per-item sales on Envato Elements. If you’re a creator, this might be less lucrative than a high-selling item on Envato Market—unless your assets see very high download volumes.

15. The Future of Envato Elements

15.1 Expanding Categories

Envato Elements continually adds new categories, like 3D assets, UI/UX kits, or even specialized code snippets. This expansion is likely to continue as creative fields evolve.

15.2 Integration with Emerging Technologies

Expect more integration with:

AI and Machine Learning: Potential for AI-driven searches or automatically generated variations of assets.
Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR): As these markets grow, 3D models and immersive templates may become more common.

15.3 Global Reach and Localization

Envato might offer more localized content and languages, appealing to a broader international audience. As eCommerce grows in emerging markets, demand for templates and assets in languages other than English will rise.

16. Final Thoughts

Envato Elements has revolutionized how many designers, marketers, and business owners approach digital asset sourcing. Its unlimited, subscription-based model opens doors for creativity, experimentation, and agile project development without the financial burden of piecemeal purchases. For authors, it offers an additional revenue stream—albeit one that requires consistent quality and active participation to maximize earnings.

Key Takeaways

Simplicity and Value: The single commercial license and unlimited downloads make Envato Elements an attractive choice for high-volume or varied creative work.
Diverse Asset Library: From videos and music to fonts and graphic templates, the platform covers nearly every creative niche.
Project-Based Licensing: Easy to maintain once you build a system for tracking your downloads and the projects they’re assigned to.
Curated Quality: While not every Envato Market item is on Elements, the curated approach generally maintains a respectable level of quality.
Best for Frequent Users: If you only need one asset once in a while, Envato Market might be more cost-effective. But for regular creative needs, Elements can be a game-changer.

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, Envato Elements stands poised to remain a go-to resource for anyone seeking to produce compelling content, build robust web presences, and create eye-catching visuals for a fraction of traditional costs. Whether you’re a freelancer juggling multiple clients or a large agency handling entire campaigns, Envato Elements can streamline your workflow, reduce overhead, and enrich your creative toolkit—all with a single subscription.