
Getty Images is one of the largest platforms offering premium stock photos, illustrations, and videos used by creators worldwide. However, most preview files are protected with watermarks that make them difficult to use for projects or presentations.
This article explains the proper, legal ways to download Getty Images and introduces Getty Images watermark remover tools to remove watermarks. You can also get PixPretty AI photo editor, the free tool to remove background.
Table of Contents
Part 1. What is Getty Images & How to Download Legally
Getty Images is a global platform offering millions of professional-quality visuals. It licenses images under different models royalty-free (RF), rights-managed (RM), and rights-ready (RR)—with specific terms for allowed.

Legal ways to get Getty Images without watermarks:
- Purchase a license via Getty’s site: Choose RF or RM depending on your use, pay the fee, and you get a clean, downloadable highresolution file with permission to use within license terms.
- Free trial options: Occasionally Getty offers trial access that allows temporary downloads without watermark for review or testing.
- Embed feature: For noncommercial websites or blogs, Getty allows embedding selected images free of charge (though watermark or logo may still appear).
- Public domain content: Some Getty Museum images are in the public domain (CC0), letting you download and use them without legal restrictions.
If you see a Getty image with a watermark, but you haven’t purchased a license, the watermark is there to prevent copyright misuse. Removing it without permission can be illegal.

Part 2. Getty Images Watermark Removers Free Online
If you don’t want to install software on your computer, online watermark removers can be a quick and convenient option. They usually run directly in the browser and support common formats like JPG and PNG. Below are some popular free tools you can try when dealing with Getty Images watermarks:
1. Pixlr
Pixlr is a well-known online photo editor that provides advanced tools such as clone and healing brushes. You can manually paint over the watermark to blend it with the background. It may take a bit of patience, but the results are often close to professional editing.
2. Fotor
Fotor comes with AI-powered retouching features that allow you to erase text or watermark marks automatically. It’s especially helpful for beginners because the process is fast and requires little editing experience. Besides watermark removal, it also offers extra filters and design templates.Inpaint Online
Inpaint is one of the simplest online watermark removers. You only need to highlight the watermark, and the system will automatically replace it with a background texture. It’s very straightforward and doesn’t require technical skills, making it a favorite choice for quick fixes.
3. Photopea
Photopea is often described as a “Photoshop in the browser.” It supports layers, advanced editing, and professional retouching options. Although it requires some editing knowledge, it can handle difficult watermarks that other tools might not fully remove.

Tip: While free online watermark removers are convenient, results may vary depending on the complexity of the watermark and background. For higher accuracy, professional tools or manual editing might still be required.
Part 3. Tips for Removing Watermarks and Using Getty Images
Removing watermarks should be done in a legal, ethical way. Here are tips to guide you:
- Always get proper license if you intend to publish or use the image publicly. Unlicensed removal of watermark may break copyright rules.
- Embed when possible: For noncommercial web use, use Getty’s embed option instead of removing watermark.
- Check license type closely: RF allows flexible reuse; RM or RR restricts how and where you can use the image, sometimes requiring extra permission for things like print or broadcast.
- Credit when needed: For editorial images, Getty requires attribution: e.g. “Photographer Name/Collection via Getty Images”.
- Be mindful of content type: Editorial images can’t be used for ads or commercial material without extra rights.
- Public domain works: If you use CC0 images from Getty Museum, no watermark, no license needed but always confirm that image's status first.
Part 4. Best AI Photo Editor to Perfect Any Getty Images Online Free
PixPretty AI photo editor is a free online tool designed to perfect any photo simple and effective. It uses advanced AI to detect and remove background without damaging the quality of the photo.
This free online tool also supports HD downloads and offers free credits to try paid features like batch watermark removal, resizing, and format conversion. With its easy interface and AI-powered accuracy, PixPretty is a reliable choice for removing background from images, including Getty Images.
Key advantages of PixPretty Image Editor:
- AI Background Removal: Uses smart AI to detect and remove background while keeping the original photo quality intact.
- HD Output & Free Credits: Supports highdefinition downloads and offers free credits to try advanced features like batch editing and resizing.
- No Software Needed: Works completely online, so you can remove watermarks from any device without installing extra programs.
- Batch Processing Support: Lets you erase watermarks or edit multiple images at once, saving time on large projects easily.
- Extra Editing Tools: Includes background remover, image resizer, format converter, and color editor for allinone photo editing needs.
Part 5. FAQs about Getty Images Watermark Removal
Q1: Can I use Getty Images with the watermark?
No! using watermark images (even as preview) isn’t allowed in final or public projects. You must license the image legally before use.
Q2: Is it illegal to remove Getty Images watermark?
Yes! if you haven’t licensed the image. Removing watermark without permission violates copyright terms and Getty’s user agreement.
Q3: How do I remove the Getty Images icon from my desktop?
If you downloaded a Getty shortcut or icon, you can remove it like any desktop file: rightclick → Delete. Watermarks appear on images not on desktop icons.
Q4: Can I use images from Getty Images for free?
Only with conditions: using embed feature on non-commercial sites, or downloading CC0 public domain content from Getty Museum. Commercial or published use requires purchasing a license.
Q5: How to remove Getty Images from desktop?
You can uninstall any Gettyrelated app or delete shortcut icons. But watermark removal must happen within an image editor just deleting a file does not remove watermark from published images.
Conclusion
Getty Images is a trusted and licensed source of professional visuals, but preview watermarks limit use. It’s best to obtain images legally via license purchase, embedding for noncommercial use, or using public domain content when available.
For Getty images background remover, our upcoming PixPretty AI photo editor offers a simple, free, AIpowered way to clean images with HD downloads and extra editing tools.
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