INITIAL TEST AND TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
PAYMENT AND BILLING INFORMATION
INITIAL TEST AND TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
What are the most important aspects when doing the initial test?
The main aspects we evaluate are:
- Accurate representation of the chosen style.
- Technical quality, precision, and attention to detail.
- Proper conceptualization of the theme.
- Color scheme fitted to the icon pack theme and style.
- Attention to symmetry, proportion, composition, and minimum spaces.
Will the test be paid?
The test will only be paid if you pass it and you start collaborating with Flaticon.
Once you pass the test you have to complete the pack, making 50 icons for each version and you’ll receive the money in the invoice of the following month.
How much time do I have to finish the test?
Up to 7 days.
How much time do I have to do the corrections?
1 or 2 days.
Can I upload a test preview to have feedback sooner?
No, you cannot. You have to upload all the files at the same time, then we’ll be able to do the corrections, both technical and esthetics.
What do you mean by 'your test can be reviewed up to three times'?
This means you can get between one and three corrections. It depends on the possibilities of your test. It can be rejected after the first, second or third correction, if necessary.
What do you mean by 'a style can have different versions'?
At Flaticon, we work with different styles developed by our Art Director team. For each style, an icon can have different versions. A style can have up to three versions of the icons. (For example fill, flat, outline…).
Can I get some reference icons with the style I’m going to choose for the test?
Yes. You can download a pack as an example, to do so go to the specific guide of the style you wish. In fact, we highly recommend checking this guide before submitting the test.
Can I sell the icons I make for the test or future packs in case they are rejected?
No, you cannot. These icons have specific characteristic regarding style and design, and they have been developed exclusively for Flaticon.
Can I take the test using a style developed by me?
No, you cannot. In order to pass the test, you have to adapt your style to one or more of the styles developed by Flaticon.
Can I submit icons that I’ve previously designed?
No, you cannot. The icons have to be exclusively designed for the test and following one of our styles.
Is there a guide I can check?
To take the test, you’ll be given a technical guide and a style guide.
Is there a template to follow?
Yes. You’ll have an .AI template including 50 artboards of 512x512 px.
Is there a color scheme I can use?
Yes. You’ll be given the color scheme corresponding the style you chose.
Do I have to use the color scheme given for the test or can I create one myself?
You have to stick to the color palette given because it has been developed exclusively for the style you are going to carry out.
Can I make my own template?
No, you cannot. To take the test you can only use the given template.
How can I add text or letters to an icon?
You can download the specific typography for the style from the given guide.
Can I use the pixel grid to design the icons?
You can use it but have in mind that the use of it can affect when working with the Pathfinder tool, or when you need to transform or align an object.
Its uses can affect the icon building.
Who’s the one to choose the theme for the test or future packs?
You’ll be assigned an Art Director who will be responsible for assigning the themes.
Do I have to develop the icon concept to pass the test or to make future packs? Or do I have a list of concepts to choose from?
You’ll have to develop a list of concepts linked to the theme and regarding the number of icons assigned by your Art Director.
Do I have to make 10 icons in all the versions of the chosen style?
Yes. You have to make 10 icons in each of the version depending on the style. For instance, if the style has 3 versions, you have to make 10 icons in each version, that is, 30 icons in total.
Can I change the style once I passed the test?
Yes. You will have to ask your Art Director who will consider the best option. In case it’s possible you’ll have to take a test again in the new style.
Can I take the test in different styles?
The test can only be done in one style. You’ll choose the style in the initial application form. If you want to take the test in different styles, you will have to take more than one test.
Can I take the test in a different style in case I don’t pass the test with the first style I chose?
If you don’t pass the test, you have the option to fill the application form again and select a different style to take the second test.
WORKING PROCESS
Which are the reasons to terminate the agreement with Flaticon?
The reasons are:
-Low productivity (less than 4 packs a month)
- Poor technical quality.
- Poor esthetic quality.
- Copyright infringement or reuse icons of your own.
- Lack of style adaptation.
- Unreceptive to feedback
Can I upload a preview of future packs to have feedback sooner?
No, you cannot, unless you have doubts that keep you from continuing with the pack. The working process to follow is to upload all the files at the same time, then your Art Director will be able to do the corrections.
Is there a deadline within which I have to send in my resources once I become an exclusive designer?
To complete an icon pack a week.
How many icons there are on a pack?
Each pack has usually (unless some exceptions) 50 icons. Depending on the style, this number can be multiplied by the number of the version it has.
Can I make less or more icons than I’m assigned within a pack?
No, you cannot. The number of icons is decided by your Art Director, and you have to stick to this number, no more, no less.
What happens if I cannot complete 4 packs per month?
In case you are not able to meet the minimum of production we ask, we will only be flexible when a major problem occurs and keeps you from doing your work.
These cases can be illness, holidays, moving, maternity, etc. These isolated cases should not be extended in time too much.
Keep in mind that you’ll have to inform your Art Director in advance of any unexpected event.
If you don’t meet the minimum of production and there’s no justified reason for it, we would have to terminate the agreement and the collaboration will end.
Can I make less than 4 packs a month?
No, you cannot make less than 4 packs a month.
Can I make more than 4 packs a month?
Yes, of course. Every time you finish a pack you’ll be assigned the following one. The more you complete, the more earnings you’ll get.
Can I ask my Art Director to assign more than one pack at a time?
Yes, but you can only work with 6 packs at the same time.
What happens if I don’t meet the submission date and I’m late uploading the packs?
Your Art Director will set a submission date every time you are assigned a pack. You can not exceed this time in order to optimize the workflow of both of you. Likewise, you’ll be ensured that your Art Director can review your work and make the corrections in time.
Does being an Exclusive Designer for Flaticon exclude me from creating icons for other websites or clients?
No. The collaboration with Flaticon doesn’t stop you from working for other websites or clients. However, you are not allowed to resell the icons you have previously designed for Flaticon or sell other icons made in our exclusive style since they are Flaticon’s ownership.
Can I include the projects I make for Flaticon in my portfolio or share it on my social media?
Yes, you can share them after they’re published at Flaticon and you have to attribute and include a link to the pack.
Do I have authorship in Flaticon?
No, the icons designed by our team are Flaticons exclusive ownership.
Can I have a collaborator to make the icons?
Yes. However, the person who signs the contract will be responsible if there’s an infringement of any kind.
What do you mean by you’ll only pay one version even if it has two versions?
There are some styles with some versions but one of them it’s not paid. The non-paid versions are the linear because they are the result of the linear-color if you clear the color part on them, and for that, there’s no need to redesign or adaptation.
Which are the files with non-expanded strokes and why do I have to upload them?
Files with non-expanded strokes are just the same files but in the first version with the simple stroke.
Both for the test and for future packs, you always have to upload these two versions, expanded and non-expanded strokes files, like that we have an editable version.
PAYMENT AND BILLING INFORMATION
What document do I need to upload?
In order to get paid, you must upload a valid ID document. The preferred identification document is a passport valid for international travel. National identification cards are acceptable from residents of EU countries. In some cases, a valid driver’s license may be permitted from certain countries. All documents must be submitted through your Tasks panel, please do not send copies of documents via email.
Click here to learn how to upload the ID document to your panel.
How much will I earn for my resources?
Your assigned coordinator will establish a set price per resource once you have completed an initial test to verify the quality of your work. To become one of our exclusive designers is something that requires very high standards.
How will I be paid and how often?
Your invoice will be generated in our system on the 4th each month. Then, you need to validate it at your task panel between the 4th and the 9th. The payment will be made between the 10th and the 15th of each month.
What payment model does Flaticon use for its payments?
Once you become part of our team, we’ll give you access to our internal payment system. Payments will be made through PayPal or Payoneer. For countries within the SEPA, the payment can be made via bank transfer, as long as the bank account number has an IBAN format.
What kind of commitment do I have? Is the contract legally binding?
The contract specifies the collaboration conditions. However, both parties may terminate it, as long as any of them notifies the other a few days in advance.
Could I get an employment certificate?
Flaticon does not offer the possibility to issue an employment certificate for its exclusive designers, as the relationship is strictly collaborative.
Do I have to be registered as self-employed to become an external collaborator? Do I have to send invoices?
Yes, it is essential that our exclusive designers are registered as self-employed and can issue and send invoices. The stipulated payment model requires invoicing for us to purchase the images.
How do I manage holidays? What happens if I am on leave or get sick?
If on leave due to illness, as it would be an unforeseen event, notifying your coordinator of your situation would be enough. In the case of holidays, the best thing to do is to plan them in advance to keep your coordinator updated and achieve the minimum of monthly tasks.
I can’t see any invoice. Why?
Remember that you need to validate your invoice between the 4th and the 9th of each month. Outside this time frame, no validation-pending invoices will show up. If you have already validated your invoice, it will show up between the 10th and the 15th as payment-pending. If, for some reason, you couldn’t validate your invoice between the given time frame, you’ll be able to validate it the following month, and the income generated will be accumulated.
How long my contract lasts for? Can I terminate it at any time?
The exclusive designer contract has no expiration date. Both parties may terminate it at any time, and you’ll earn the amount of income still to be collected.
What do I need to know about the billing of the earnings generated by my services and content? These earnings include taxes?
All earnings shown on your user panel are without taxes applied. Once the invoice is generated, the final amount to earn will vary depending on the taxes applicable to the user in particular.
Flaticon pays off the taxes applicable to my country or do I need to do it?
Flaticon pays off the taxes applicable to Spain, complying with tax regulations and trying to make it easy for its users to meet their tax settlement. However, Flaticon does not actively take part in its users’ tax settlement. If you need information about tax settlement, we suggest that you seek advice from your tax adviser.
My payment platform is charging me a commission whenever I receive the payment for my invoice.
At no time Flaticon is responsible for the costs derived from the invoice payments. These costs must be assumed by the user, and it’s he/she who needs to discuss it with his/her payment platform.
What is the VAT ID number? What document do I need to provide?
The VAT ID number is used to verify the identity and tax data of the user. In Spain, freelancers provide their ID, and companies provide their Tax ID card with the Spanish CIF/NIF number. For the rest of the companies based in the EU, they need to provide the VAT number, and, in the case of freelancers, their ID or passport. For non-EU countries, the company needs to provide its company registration document, and in the case of freelancers, their ID.
As a company, can I work as an exclusive designer?
Whether you are self-employed or a company, you can work for us as an exclusive designer. At the moment of signing the contract, you’ll need to provide us with the VAT ID card and number of your company for validation. Once we validate the information, we’ll activate the account for your company.
TAX WITHHOLDING
1. TAX WITHHOLDING FOR SPANISH RESIDENTS
As established by the Spanish Tax Agency, Freepik Company is obliged to maintain up-to-date tax information about its collaborators for a proper withholding of their work income and subsequent tax payment.
Freepik Company is not entitled to provide personal advice to its collaborators regarding tax payment. For this reason, we have prepared the following FAQ to help you understand everything about it.
Why is my income subject to tax withholding?
When the collaborator is a natural person (self-employed), Freepik Company is obliged to effect a 15% withholding on the invoice. This action has its legal basis in the Personal Income Tax Law 35/2006, dated 28th November, in the amendment of the laws on Corporation Tax, Non-Resident Income Tax and Wealth Tax, and in the Royal Decree 439/2007, dated 30th March, which approved the Personal Income Tax Regulation and amended the Pension Plans and Funds Regulation Act, previously approved by the Royal Decree 304/2004, dated 20th February.
According to my tax situation, my income is subject to a 7% withholding. How can I request it?
If you consider that your income should be subject to a 7% withholding, in compliance with Art. 95.1 of the Royal Decree 439/2007, you must send us the attached document ‘PLANTILLA DE RETENCIÓN 7%’ duly filled to the e-mail address taxhelp@freepik.com.
Once validated by our legal department, the corresponding withholding rate will be effected on your invoice.
2. TAX WITHHOLDING FOR NON-SPANISH RESIDENTS
The assignment of an intelectual creation right (commission of works contract), like the assignment of an intelectual property right, is an economic activity. As a Freepik Company partner, income derived from your sales in Spain is subject to spanish withholding tax. In compliance with the Royal Legislative Decree 5/2004, dated 5th of March, by which the consolidated text of the Non-Resident Income Tax Act was approved (BOE, 12th March 2004) and the Royal Decree 1776/2004, dated 30th of july, by which the Non-Resident Income Tax Regulations were approved (BOE, 5th August 2004), and aiming to adjust the withholding applicable to the perceived quantities, Freepik Company must keep an up-to-date record of the billing information of all of its collaborators.
The information below helps you determine which withholding is applicable to your situation. We encourage you to follow the different steps below and to contact a tax/legal advisor for definitive advice:
Should I pay tax on my earnings?
It depends on your personal tax situation, it’s best to check with your local tax office if you’re not sure.
What do I need to know about tax witholding?
If you are not a Spanish citizen or resident, you may be subject to tax withholding at a rate of up to 24% for all generated earnings.
However, this withholding rate may be lower or zero if you are resident in a country that has an income tax treaty with Spain and you can prove it with a valid certificate of tax residence.
Where can I learn about tax withholding rates for my country? What If my country of residency does not have a double taxation treaty with Spain?
In this list, you can check the countries that have a double taxation treaty with Spain and the withholding rates in each case. If your country is not on the list below, your tax withholding will be rated at 24%.
Check list of countries here.
What do I have to do in order to get the right tax withholding applied?
We are required to ensure that you have the right documents on file so we can withhold taxes at the appropriate rate and meet our obligations with the Spanish Tax Agency (AEAT)
Because of this, in order to adjust this tax withholding to the minimum possible according to each treaty, we need a certificate of tax residence issued by the tax Agency of your country where it states the double taxation treaty between Spain and your country.
It’s very important to bear in mind that the details in that certificate must match the details you entered in your profile when you signed up as collaborator. For this reason, we advise you make sure these details are the ones in the certificate you send us.
What is the certificate of tax residence and where do I request it?
You, as a natural or juridical person, will credit your billing address in a certain country through a certificate of tax residence signed by the Tax Agency of your country of residence. This certificate must mention that you or your Company is resident in your tax residence’s country for Income Taxation, within the meaning of the double taxation treaty between your tax residence’s country and Spain. Otherwise it will not be valid to avoid the withholding tax.
How often do I have to submit this certificate?
Your certificate of tax residence is valid only for one calendar year. For that reason, once a year you will be required to submit a new certificate. We will notify you by email or through your Freepik Company profile panel when you are required to submit a new certificate.
How do I submit my certificate of tax residence?
You can attach your certificate of tax residence through Freepik Company’s collaborator panel. It will automatically appear as “pending” until our legal department validates it. Once it’s processed you will be notified through email.
Click here to learn how to upload the residence certificate to your panel.
What is the deadline for submitting my certificate of tax residence?
You should submit your certificate of tax residence before the next payout or your earnings are processed. If you do not update your certificate before your next payment is issued, 24% will be withheld from your earnings generated in Spain as its law requires.
While in the process of obtaining your certificate of tax residence, you can refrain from validating your bill so no incorrect withholding of your earnings will be applied.
Your tax status will be ‘pending’ and you may be subject to 24% withholding on your earnings generated in Spain until you supply your documentation.
As long as you don’t validate your bills, your earnings will accumulate month after month for future bills until you decide to validate them with the appropriate withholdings according to your billing information at that moment.
What if I don't send my certificate of tax residence before my next payment?
Without an approved certificate of tax residence on file, your Spain source earnings will be subject to 24% withholding as per Spain government regulations. If this occurs, Freepik Company cannot issue a refund to you, because the withheld amount goes to the Spanish Tax Agency.
If you were entitled to a lower or zero rate of tax, then to reclaim this amount, you will need to file a Spanish tax return.
What if the information on my certificate of tax residence has not changed?
If your certificate of tax residence is expired or you make any other change in your billing information (for example your tax residence’s country), you will need to submit a new certificate even if your name, address and other pertinent information has not changed.
How do I know if my certificate of tax residence was approved?
You can check your current tax status on your Freepik Company profile panel.
What if I still have questions?
Freepik Company cannot give personal tax or legal advice. If you still have questions about taxes after reading our FAQ, please contact your legal and/or tax advisor.
COPYRIGHT
Will my resources be protected against plagiarism?
Flaticon takes any kind of copyright infraction very seriously. As all of our users know, non-authorized distribution or inclusion of our content in any file or database of graphic resources is not allowed, and legal actions will be taken if that non-authorized content is not removed immediately.
Whenever we find that someone is committing copyright infringement, we contact that person at once and we inform that person of the legal consequences that they may be up against due to the incorrect usage of our resources.
Can I share my icons on social media?
Yes, as long as the attribution to Flaticon is correctly mentioned when sharing the link.
What if my test icons are not selected? Do you still have the rights to those designs?
No, we only purchase and publish on Flaticon the icons that pass our tests.