N.B. The following information applies to UK-based clients. For other territories please get in touch directly at adamthorntonart@gmail.com

Professional illustrators generally licence their illustrations for specific purposes, in specific territories and for defined periods of time. There are no flat fees for illustrations. Therefore, an illustration licence that is required for a local event that lasts for a month will differ in price to one that is required for a global audience that lasts for a year or more.

Accurate licensing is mutually beneficial for the client and the illustrator as it defines a fee for actual usage as required by the client, rather than possible usage.

What information do I need to know?

For me to be able to quote a fee for the licence the following information is required:

• What is the usage?
  What is the illustration to be used for specifically – a poster, app, billboard, magazine cover, greetings card?
• Territory or Area of Use
  The Territory or Area of Use has a major effect on the price charged, e.g. if it’s UK only or if the work is to be used in other world areas (EU, Worldwide).
• Licence duration
  A licence agreement typically states the time given for usage of the particular artwork. For instance, magazines typically require little more than 90 days from the date of publication, but for other purposes the required timescale will vary depending on the your needs. Once the duration has expired all rights return to the illustrator – unless otherwise agreed.
• Complexity of illustration
  Is the illustration to be a simple monochrome line drawing, or do you require one or multiple fully painted renderings?
• Deadline date for finished work
  Please let me know when you expect the illustration/s to be delivered to you. These will be sent by email in jpeg format.

If additional usage, territories or a longer duration are subsequently required, re-negotiation of the licence is required.

While not essential, it would also be useful for me to have an understanding of your budget. Of course, I understand if you do not wish to divulge this information. However I have found it’s always worth asking if you have one in mind. Your budget won’t always be proportional to the uses required, however, negotiation is sometimes possible.

Contract

If you don’t have a contract available, I have a standard contract that I use with clients. So once we’ve discussed what you need then I can forward you the paperwork to check through and finalise.