Program Details
| Commission | 20-35% (via Namecheap/Impact); 30% recurring (legacy program) (Cost Per Sale) |
| Cookie Duration | 30 days (Impact); 60 days (legacy) |
| Network | Impact (via Namecheap) |
| Payment Methods | PayPal, Bank Transfer (EFT), Check |
| Min. Payout | $10 |
| Payment Frequency | Monthly |
| Category | Graphic Design Software |
| Countries | Global |
| Website | getstencil.com |
Stencil (GetStencil) is a graphic design tool built for speed – it targets bloggers, social media managers, and content creators who need polished images without the learning curve of full design software. Acquired by Namecheap in late 2021, the platform offers access to over 5 million royalty-free photos and icons, making it a popular pick for marketers on a tight schedule.
Stencil Affiliate Program Overview
The Stencil affiliate program is now managed through Namecheap’s partner network on Impact. New affiliates sign up via Namecheap and can earn commissions on Stencil plan sales, with rates in the 20-35% range depending on the plan. The legacy direct program (run on Tapfiliate) offered 30% recurring commissions, but it is closed to new signups.
The current program through Impact runs a 30-day cookie. Payments are processed monthly, with a low $10 minimum payout threshold via Impact. Available payment methods include PayPal, bank transfer (EFT), and check.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Legacy affiliates still earn 30% recurring commissions for the lifetime of referred customers
- 60-day cookie window on the legacy program – well above the industry norm
- Easy-to-sell product: intuitive tool with mass appeal among bloggers and social media audiences
- Very low $10 payout threshold via Impact – you get paid faster than most SaaS programs
- Strong seasonal conversion spikes around Black Friday and Cyber Monday annual plan deals
Cons:
- Direct affiliate program is closed to new signups – new partners must join via Namecheap on Impact
- New affiliates get one-time commissions rather than recurring revenue
- Faces stiff competition from Canva, which dominates the casual design market
- Strict no-bidding policy on branded keywords limits paid search promotion options
How to Join
Since the direct program is closed to new applicants, the path in is through Namecheap. Start by creating a publisher account on Impact if you don’t already have one. Then search for the Namecheap program and apply – once approved, you’ll get access to Stencil promotions alongside Namecheap’s full product portfolio.
Approval is moderate difficulty: you’ll need a website or active social presence with content relevant to design, marketing, or online business. No minimum traffic figure is publicly specified, but thin or unrelated sites are unlikely to pass review. Prohibited content includes adult material and sites that violate Namecheap’s publisher guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Stencil still offer recurring commissions?
Existing affiliates on the legacy Tapfiliate-based program still receive 30% recurring commissions for the lifetime of each referred customer. New partners joining through the Namecheap program on Impact are on a one-time commission structure, not recurring.
How long is the Stencil affiliate cookie duration?
The legacy Stencil direct program uses a 60-day cookie window. For new affiliates going through the Namecheap program on Impact, the standard 30-day cookie applies.
Can I still sign up for the Stencil affiliate program?
The direct Stencil affiliate portal at getstencil.com/affiliates is closed to new applicants following the Namecheap acquisition. To promote Stencil today, apply through the Namecheap Affiliate Program on Impact.
What is the minimum payout for Stencil affiliates?
Through the Impact network, the minimum payout threshold is $10 – much lower than the typical $50 or $100 seen on other platforms. Legacy accounts on Tapfiliate carry a higher threshold of approximately $50.
Can I run paid search ads to promote Stencil?
PPC campaigns are allowed, but Stencil’s program terms prohibit bidding on branded keywords such as “Stencil” or “getstencil” in Google or Bing ads. This means paid search traffic must target non-branded design or image creation keywords.
What content converts best for Stencil promotions?
Tutorials comparing design tools (e.g., “Stencil vs Canva”), roundups of social media image creation tools, and blogging/content marketing tool lists tend to drive the strongest conversions. Audiences already looking to speed up their visual content workflow are a natural fit for Stencil.
How does Stencil compare to Canva for affiliate earnings?
Canva’s affiliate program via Impact pays up to $36 per sale and also uses a 30-day cookie, making it a higher absolute payout for premium annual plans. Stencil’s legacy recurring model could outperform Canva long-term for retained customers, but new Stencil affiliates are on a one-time structure, which shifts the advantage to Canva for raw payout volume.
Final Verdict
Stencil is a decent affiliate pick for design and content marketing publishers who already cover the blogging or social media space. The tool is genuinely easy to sell to the right audience, and the low $10 payout threshold is a real advantage. That said, new affiliates won’t get the recurring commissions that made the legacy program attractive – you’re on a one-time rate, competing in a space dominated by Canva.
If you’re already in the Namecheap ecosystem or write about budget-friendly design tools, it’s worth adding. If you’re purely chasing recurring SaaS commission income, Snappa’s 30-40% recurring structure is a stronger long-term play for this niche.
