How to Cite a Clip Art Image in MLA

• Hannah Berry (Ph.D.)
• Published on 05/05/2025

In writing, it is critical to provide the necessary credit for any sources used, even clip art images. MLA writing requires some formatting of those images found over the internet. In the citation of a clip art image, the crucial details are the creator’s name, title of the image, website name, publication date, and the URL, followed by the date accessed. This is convenient for readers to locate the image and verify its use. Below is a step-by-step explanation on how to cite a clip art image in MLA style, using real-life examples.

Elements of the Citation

The MLA citation format for a clip art image is as follows:

• Creator’s Name: This is where the individual or organization who created the image goes. If the creator is unknown, the citation begins with the title of the image.
• Title of Image: The title of the clip art image should be in quotation marks. If there is no official title, describe the photo in a couple of sentences and use a descriptive phrase in quotation marks.
• Website Name: Include the name of the host website where the photo is found in italics. This is where the clip art is usually hosted.
• Date of Publication: Enter the day, month, and year that the image was published or posted on the site. If this is not possible, use the access date.
• URL: Enter the complete web address where the clip art image is located.
• Accessed date: The date when the image was accessed. Because web pages may change, including the access date provides context for readers regarding when the image was accessible.

Example 1: Clip Art from a Website

Citation	Jules, Tara. “Cartoon Cat Sitting.” Clipart.com, 12 Mar. 2020, www.clipart.com/cat-sitting. Accessed 3 May 2025.
Structure	Creator’s Name. “Title of Image.” Site Name, Date of Publication, URL. Accessed Date.

Here, the creator’s name is Tara Jules, and the title of the image is “Cartoon Cat Sitting.” The image was posted on Clipart.com on March 12, 2020. Direct URL offers access to the image, and the date of access is May 3, 2025.

Example 2: Clip Art with Anonymous Creator

Citation	“Happy Sun and Clouds.” Clipart Archive, 15 Aug. 2019, www.clipartarchive.com/happy-sun. Accessed 3 May 2025.
Structure	“Title of Image.” Site Name, Date of Publication, URL. Accessed Date.

Here, the artist of the clip art image is not known. Therefore, the citation begins with the title of the image, “Happy Sun and Clouds.” The image was uploaded to Clipart Archive on August 15, 2019, and accessed on May 3, 2025.

Example 3: Clip Art from a Stock Image Website

Citation	Lewis, Paul. “Vector Flower Design.” StockImages.com, 23 Apr. 2021, www.stockimages.com/flower-design. Accessed 3 May 2025.
Structure	Creator’s Name. “Title of Image.” Site Name, Date of Publication, URL. Accessed Date.

Here, Paul Lewis took the photograph and titled it “Vector Flower Design.” The clip art was posted to StockImages.com on April 23, 2021. The URL provides direct access to the image, and the date of access is provided as May 3, 2025.

Example 4: Clip Art with Descriptive Title

Citation	“Digital Heart Symbol.” Clipart Library, 5 Jun. 2020, www.clipartlibrary.com/digital-heart. Accessed 3 May 2025.
Structure	“Descriptive Title.” Site Name, Date of Publication, URL. Accessed Date.

In this reference, the photo is an unnamed photo, thus the placeholder label “Digital Heart Symbol” is placed instead. The photo was seen on Clipart Library on the 5th of June 2020 and the access date is provided as May 3rd, 2025.

Creator’s Name: Always put the last name then first name of the creator. When in doubt as a creator in an organization, put the creator organization’s name in its stead. Title of the Image: Put the real title of the image in quotation marks. If an image does not have a title, describe the image briefly. Website Name: Provide the name of the site where the image is being used. Date of Publication: If available, include the date the image was published. If the date cannot be found, you can omit this section, but the access date is required. URL: Provide the full URL where the clip art may be found. Make sure the URL is correct and leads directly to the image. Access Date: Always include the access date, especially for online sources, as web content can change over time.