Where can I get character graphics for personal use? Like on ebay, I want to create my own design?

Question

On ebay, I see party invitations, labels, favors--just about anything, with say a various Elmo graphic. Where can I get those graphics? I don't want to pay shipping and/or someone else to create my design.

My daughter's party theme is Elmo. I want the whole party to match-invites, thank you, favors, etc.

I want to design everything myself. I want everything to coordinate throughout the whole party.

There are some that I like from one seller, but they don't have all the products I need. So, I would prefer to just buy the computer program or whatever it is, and create my own matching party supplies. I just don't know where to get the designs from?!

(For example, if you go on ebay and type in elmo invites, a list shows up. Most of them are too "loud" for me, so I'd like to create a simpler, more appropriate design and continue it throughout my party-favors, games, cake, etc. etc)

Answer 1

Elmo is a registered trademark of Jim Henson/Sesame Workshop, so anyone who uses Elmo's image for commercial products without permission from the trademark holder is in violation of trademark law.

That having been said, Henson/Sesame Workshop is not in the practice of distributing high-resolution graphics or vector designs of the Elmo character, so your options are a) find an image on the internet or b) draw your own. Elmo is not a difficult character to draw; anyone with some graphic design experience should have no trouble with this. However, I did find this on Google (first image result):

http://students.imsa.edu/~rainman3/elmo.jpg