FAQ
Artists
For digital artists, photographers, and anyone who publishes images online. This FAQ focuses on preparing files, choosing watermark and QR options, and creating a clean licensing + provenance trail you can actually use later.
Getting started
- What kinds of files can I run through PixlKey?
Use your best-quality source file for processing (your “master”), then export derivatives for sharing. - Do I have to publish my original?
No — PixlKey is built around the idea that you keep originals private and share only the outputs you intend to distribute. - What information should I have ready before processing?
Creator name, artwork title, any edition/series notes, and the licence terms you want attached to derivatives.
Watermarks + QR
- What’s the point of a visible watermark if people can crop?
It won’t stop theft — it reduces “plausible ignorance” and keeps attribution attached during normal reposting. - When should I enable a QR overlay?
When you want a fast path back to your verification/provenance page (especially for social sharing and client hand-offs). - Can I keep watermarking subtle?
Yes — the goal is professional attribution, not a billboard. Use size/opacity/placement that fits your work and platform.
Licensing + “paper trail”
- What does PixlKey mean by “licensing artefacts”?
Certificate-style outputs that record the licence intent and connect it to a specific work and export set. - Is this a replacement for a contract?
No — think of PixlKey as the documentation layer that travels with the files you share. - Can I create different outputs for different audiences?
That’s the point: one pipeline, consistent exports — share the right derivative for the right context.
Verification + provenance
- What is “verification” in PixlKey terms?
Identifiers and fingerprints that support later validation of what was generated, when, and for which work. - Does verification prove authorship in court?
PixlKey can strengthen your documentation, but legal outcomes depend on jurisdiction and evidence standards. - What should I send to a client or collector?
A derivative export plus the relevant licence/certificate artefact and any verification reference you want them to keep.
Still have questions?
If your workflow is unusual (print editions, agency licensing, gallery distribution, stock platforms, etc.), reach out — we’ll point you to the best practice and the right documentation path.