Q&A

What is an illustration commission?

What is an illustration commission?

In art, a commission is the act of requesting the creation of a piece, often on behalf of another. Artwork may be commissioned by private individuals, by the government, or businesses. Commissions often resemble endorsement or sponsorship.

How much commission do illustration agencies take?

Freelance work, usually paid per illustration, tends to be more lucrative than working for an employer. Illustration agencies take between 25-35% commission, while literary agents take 15%. Some illustrators also sell work through stock houses, which take a substantial commission.

How do commissions work art?

Commissioning art is the process of hiring an artist to create an artwork, based on the client’s request. Interior designers may commission art that fits in the color scheme of their project, while corporate clients might want to “brand” the piece with corporate colors, to complement their visual identity.

How do I start a commission?

8 Tips for Artists Accepting Commissions

  1. 1 – Timing is key.
  2. 2 – Don’t be shy to state your terms.
  3. 3 – Ask for a payment up front.
  4. 4 – Know exactly what you’re being asked to do.
  5. 5 – Cherish your good clients, and learn to manage difficult ones.
  6. 6 – Know your market.
  7. 7 – Have a method to pricing your work.

How do I do an illustration commission?

8 expert ways to commission better illustration

  1. Choose the right style. Illustration can give the same design template a very different look and feel.
  2. Consider composition early.
  3. Set a detailed brief.
  4. Discuss references.
  5. Brainstorm concepts.
  6. Collaborate on layouts.
  7. Give direction with annotations.
  8. Reuse key elements.

How much should I charge for royalties?

Royalty rates vary per industry, but a good rule of thumb is between 2-3% on the low end, and 7-10% on the high end. I have licensed consumer products for as low as 3% and as high as 7%, with 5% being the most common and a generally fair number.

How do I do commission?

Just take sale price, multiply it by the commission percentage, divide it by 100. An example calculation: a blue widget is sold for $70 . The sales person works on a commission – he/she gets 14% out of every transaction, which amounts to $9.80 .

How to price your work in the business of illustration?

Pricing your work is one of the most stressful things to do in the business of illustration. Asking for too much money may cause the client to walk away, but asking for too little will leave a lot of cash on the table that could have been yours. So, how does an illustrator determine an appropriate fee for each assignment?

Can a client use the work of an illustrator?

Illustrators automatically own copyright to the work they produce. Clients may only use the work for the purpose outlined in writing (ideally a contract). To use the work for other purposes the client must seek written permission and pay an agreed rate in full before the illustrator will assign copyright in full.

What’s the best way to commission an illustrator?

If you’re commissioning a digital illustrator, if possible make sure they supply a layered file with key compositional elements kept separate. Vector files are even better, as there’s more scope to manipulate scale and colour to keep things fresh.

How long will the illustration run for in a book?

How long will the illustration run for? For editorial, this is normally the first printing. For books, it may be ten years or the entire life of the book until it goes out of print. Other clients may want your work to be used in perpetuity. The greater the time frame the client wants, the greater the fee.

What are the terms of the illustration commission agreement?

The Author shall furnish the Illustrator with ten (10) free copies of the Work upon publication. The Author shall send the Illustrator two free copies of any sub- licensed or foreign edition of the Work. 6. Copyright The copyright for the Artwork shall belong to the Illustrator. The copyright in the text shall belong to the Author.

Pricing your work is one of the most stressful things to do in the business of illustration. Asking for too much money may cause the client to walk away, but asking for too little will leave a lot of cash on the table that could have been yours. So, how does an illustrator determine an appropriate fee for each assignment?

If you’re commissioning a digital illustrator, if possible make sure they supply a layered file with key compositional elements kept separate. Vector files are even better, as there’s more scope to manipulate scale and colour to keep things fresh.

What are the rights of an illustrator in a book?

The Illustrator shall permit the Author free of charge to use the Artwork to promote the Work in catalogues, advertisements and other promotional material. The Illustrator has the right to use the Artwork for self -promotional purposes. The illustrator agrees not to use the Artwork in its entirety or in book format for self -promotional purposes .