What would you charge for someone to use your artwork?
onegirlcreative (1092 points) | Sat, 2008-10-25 20:40I have a dilemma. I recently had someone contact me about the use of one of my pop art designs on a card that they want to send out during the holidays. Needless to say, I was flattered, but kind of appalled that she didn't expect me to turn around and say that I would charge her for this. Although I didn't have a dollar amount in mind, I knew that I was going to charge her either way.
She responded saying that she didn't want exclusive rights, only for a one time thing with these cards. I tried to explain to her that it doesn't matter whether or not she uses it for a one-time card, or for exclusive rights, it's still my work and still something that would need to be compensated for.
I mean, would you approach Pablo Picasso and ask to use one of his paintings for a one-time card free of charge? Uhhh...NO! Obviously, I am not Pablo PIcasso, however, it should be the same deal.
Of course in the same sentence, she is asking me "just out of curiosity" what would I charge for something like this? I have no idea as I have never been asked this before.
My question to all of you is, what should I charge? I guess I'm not necessarily asking for a specific dollar amount, per se, but more of an idea; a ballpark.
Is this common? Have any of you ever been approached about using your artwork as a recreation of a card, t-shirt, or whatever? Because at this point, I would have to give them the native file (or a really, really high-res tiff) in order to do this.
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks guys!
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"I am not sick. I am broken. But I am happy as long as I can paint." ~ Frida Kahlo
Commenting on this Forum topic is closed.
If the lady was working for Bill Gate, i let her used on everything and more and pay for it, then take the printed proof to a good money hungry blood sucker Lawyer to Court. but if the lady was a person that really admired your worked but it was not in her budget i would have gift wrapped it and made sure the printer did a good job.. " Terms she must be very sexy and hot boy" just kidding :-)
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It is good that you compare yourself to Pablo Picasso,
They have given away more then they have got Money wise...
and do not forget how Rich Van Guogh was from his painting when he died????
Can I see the design you referring to, "Must be in 150 DPI in native format/with layers. LOL a jpg would do.
I hope you get my sense of humor on few phrases...
I only referenced Picasso because he just happens to be my all time favorite artist (my pug's name is Pablo). However, I wasn't going to charge her some outrageous amount, but I wanted to at least have her compensate me for something.
She owns a store that sells women's handbags, and she wanted to use one of my designer handbag prints, Balenciaga.
This is the print she's referring to:
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"I am not sick. I am broken. But I am happy as long as I can paint." ~ Frida Kahlo
www.onegirlcreative.com
Isn't anybody going to assist me?
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"I am not sick. I am broken. But I am happy as long as I can paint." ~ Frida Kahlo
www.onegirlcreative.com
that we would all like to, but have no idea.
At least, that's me.
Hi suzanne, hope i'm not too late on this.
I would charge her by the card and have them printed yourself and sell them to her (she can request whatever verbiage inside as long as you are ok with it). Tell her you will put your name and website on the back of the card for credit and charge her like $3/card or the likes, maybe a price break depending on how much. This way, you can ensure the greatest print quality because obviously, you do not want your work printed crappily.
That's what I would do and then I would start selling them like this for a living. ;)
Rights are based on usage, usually. If she's going national, get a percentage of sales. Could be lucrative!
If it's local, I'd do a flat fee for a certain amount of time. Make sure you keep tabs on her use of the art and set yourself a reminder that she needs to only use the design for that amount of time.
Check www.freelanceswitch.com for articles on licensing.
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Natobasso
dirtandrust.com
"Powerpoint is not a design application"
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Dirt and Rust
Charge approximately between 500USD to 5000USD depending on how wide the usage is. You can ask for one dollar per exposure, but going above 5K would require you to be somewhat famous.
http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm/copyright-and-licensing
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Natobasso
dirtandrust.com
"Powerpoint is not a design application"
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Dirt and Rust
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"I am not sick. I am broken. But I am happy as long as I can paint." ~ Frida Kahlo
www.onegirlcreative.com
Another option which she may go for is adding your name and web or email address to the back of the cards or alongside the illustration.
If her target audience matches with yours then you've got some great free publicity out of it.
I wouldn't expect calls or emails right off the back of it, but it'll get your art and your name out there and give you a nice portfolio piece (which may just jog client's memories...)
I haven't checked back in a few days, and I come back and I have all these comments/suggestions.
You guys are awesome! I think I like Alex's idea for now, perhaps because I believe this woman would be giving these cards out to her local clientele, not a national thing. I believe she owns a store or something that sells these designer handbags and loved my design, so she wanted to have them printed on cards to give out during the holidays. I believe.
I have never had anybody contact me about something like this, so obviously since it's flattering, it's a bit overwhelming and I didn't even know what to suggest. But I did know that some sort of fee would be appropriate.
Thanks again guys. I appreciate the suggestions.
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"I am not sick. I am broken. But I am happy as long as I can paint." ~ Frida Kahlo
www.onegirlcreative.com
Make sure she understands the value of your free licensing, though.
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Natobasso
dirtandrust.com
"Powerpoint is not a design application"
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Dirt and Rust
ugh. She still has to have them printed. You should have them printed and charge her a slight upcharge. You leave yourself open for her to screw or stretch or print them crappily. Not to mention, you're doing it free now.
price is always a tough choice, but the best way to make sure of usage control would be to control the printing...if she doesn't have a file, she can't abuse the usage.
just out of curiosity though, how many times have you gotten a greeting card from another business and looked at the back to see who designed it? I'd guess rarely if ever. I would not do it for free.
I would find out the printing cost, then add a percentage to try and determine what she might accept as a usage fee.
"...and mamma cried: Watch out where the huskies go, don't you eat that yellow snow" - Frank Zappa
Very true. The real exposure would come if the same vendor wanted cards that you created, rather than the cards you're helping your client sell.
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Natobasso
dirtandrust.com
"Powerpoint is not a design application"
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Dirt and Rust
I think that the paid route is definitely the better one to take, if it is an option, as it sets you on a better footing with the client in future negotiations and, if this illustration benefits the client's business then they need to be aware of your part in that process.
However, where payment isn't an option the 'free' route can be a great way of getting live work infront of a real audience. As you mention, you can't expect phonecalls or emails off the back of it (unless you are phenomenally lucky). You still have to do the leg work to build new business and promote yourself. This project may just give you a foot in the door to other clients though as, if they have seen your work and liked it then they will be more receptive to your pitch.
The crucial thing with the 'free' option is not to use it as an easy way out, or to assume it will miraculously convert new clients, but to use it as a part of your pitching process.
You make a great point about usage, and clarifying usage to the client. Whether you go for 'free' or paid option, make sure the client knows how, when and for what they may use the image at the start of the process, otherwise you may have some quite painful explanations and negotiations later on.
Suz, is there a possibility that this is a competitor "shopping" you?
That said, I like Pokie's idea of offerig to do the card professionally yourself, complete with a copyright bug on the back, of course. Tell her in that case, the artwork is limited to that one use, and you charge her maybe a little less than you would have if she'd commissioned the design.
I designed a holiday greeting card for an existing client, incorporating their logo into the design. I charged $500 for the design (I notice that's Ivan's recommended low end), plus a markup on the printing. They're only having 500 cards printed. I think that's a fair deal for all concerned for custom work. Hope that helps to guide you.
Mara