How much to pay?

**Artist** · 12-15-2008 10:50 AM

I thought I'd slip in with some perspective from the artist's point of view. First let me say that a "fair price" is impossible to define without knowing how the art is being produced and how it is being used. With that in mind I'll give you a peek at how I charge to create artwork that is going to be printed onto t-shirts for retail (something I happen to do a lot of). Personally, I prefer to charge a one-time-fee which is based on the amount of time I anticipate (based on my experience) to complete the job multiplied by my hourly rate. That fee is presented as my estimate for the job and a 50% advance is required to start work. Pretty simple. But the art business is not simple at all. Here are just some of the things to consider:

Who is the creator? I only work with clients who already know what they want. They've done their homework, they've come up with an idea and often a rough sketch of it. The client is then paying for my technical expertise to "build" a design based on their "plans". That is why the hourly rate works well for both the client and myself. But if the client has no idea what they want, that is whole different can of worms. For example, I've had people approach me saying they want to start a t-shirt line and they want it to appeal to such-and-such and they want me to come up with a bunch of designs they can go around and sell under their brand name. Although there is nothing wrong with this scenario, it simply doesn't fit my style of business (as decribed above). In this scenario, the client has no product to sell, not even a concept to sell. It should be understood that this is far more difficult than simply "building to plan" and so a percentage of profit or "royalty" would be reasonable in addition to the hourly rate paid for the actual artwork. In other words the one-time-fee pays for the art and the royalty pays for the idea.

Plenty of artists work that way but it is not my preference. Frankly, if I'm going to come up with such a brilliant t-shirt idea, I'm going to keep it for myself and sell it under my own name!

Hope this helps explain some of the dynamics of art pricing.

**TylerBakerllc** · 01-06-2009 10:37 PM

I agree with Jonathan in part. I have and still do business with a couple artists in different media, and I will tell you this... Sometimes it is a one time fee (for greeting cards can be anywhere from $350.00 per image up to $1000+ per image depending on the artists name recognition and how many the company expects to sell). Other times it can be a percentage of net profits, which is sometimes the case with licensed prints, (typically 10-30, once again depending on the artist and the volume of units sold).
Whichever way you go make sure you have a contract that states how the image will be used, how much will be payed to the licensor, etc.
I hope this helps, PM me if you want to look at a contract, I have a generic one that I would be willing to email you. -Tyler

**Jonn** · 02-08-2009 10:13 PM

Originally Posted by BusinessAdviser

That's ridiculous. If you're looking for warm fuzzies, go for it. But if you're looking to make money in business, you've got it wrong, especially when dealing with a one-time transaction, where there is no need to build a relationship. Stingy and cheap is not the same as paying someone an amount that they will accept for their work. It's a business transaction. Use your head.

If you Low ball someone you are going to get someone who needs money. If you pay someone a "fair price" you are going to higher quality. Quality work is not free and low balling is not going to get you quality. Pay as little as you can but don't expect much in return...

**outsourcery** · 02-08-2009 10:57 PM

If at all possible, avoid a royalty situation. Pay a one off fee. It is likely to be cheaper in the long run (provided your product sells).

If you have to take the royalty route because it's already arranged, get it all in writing. Have both parties retain a signed copy, witnessed by a third party. Include in the agreement how you plan to prove the fee payable, dispute resolution, etc. You could end up working together for a long time.. and things change...

Cheers

**pboychuk** · 02-08-2009 10:59 PM

the OP hasn't been on for about 2 months.

**.Andy** · 03-06-2009 07:16 PM

Originally Posted by RLorenzen

I agree with Jonathen. You're not a charity. Pay as little as you have to.

I disagree. I buy designs weekly and roughly process about a 1000$ worth of designs. Designers need modivation and money works best. I've paid designers I like the work 10% above what they charged me (they were to cheap). Since then I'm top priority when I have a job. They do random favors for free when there bored. I have a good working relationship and it never hurts to tip when the service is great.

**clabrat** · 05-08-2009 11:10 AM

I agree with SmarterGroup. You would have to consider what kind of relationship you wish to have with the artist. If they are really good and talented, you might want to consider compensating them more. Even if you don't plan on using their work going forward, it never hurts to build good relationships

**Deal_Maker** · 05-13-2009 07:45 AM

Don't lowball anybody that you're going to need again in the future. That's just stupid.

**mxr808** · 05-13-2009 07:59 AM

All business is competitive. If an artist isn't willing to be competitive with pricing then find someone else. God knows there are plenty of them. It's not lowballing. It's just business.

**Deal_Maker** · 05-13-2009 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by mxr808

All business is competitive. If an artist isn't willing to be competitive with pricing then find someone else. God knows there are plenty of them. It's not lowballing. It's just business.

There's a huge difference between being competitive and lowballing. To illustrate this point let's say that you're hiring a contractor for a job that you know will cost him $1,000,000. Obviously you're not going to let him talk you into paying $1.5M for the job, but you're not going to beat him down to $800,000 either.

You can be competitive and still have both sides of the deal come out being satisfied with the outcome. Lowballing will burn bridges and create enemies. Don't do it. You're going to create enough enemies in your lifetime without trying. No need to do it on purpose and make things harder for yourself.