How much does live illustration cost? - how to get a quote
You’re ready to hire an illustrator! Exciting times. If you’re wondering how much does live illustration cost, in this blog post, I’ll guide you through the information you’ll need to get a good quote. By considering these factors at the start of a project, you’ll get the most for your money and start a project on the right foot.
I’ll take you through factors that affect the cost of illustration; how to prepare the details of your project; and how to get the most from your budget. Let's get started!
Creative brief
Your illustrator will need to know what you’d like images of, how many, and what size. For example, if you’re working on a social media campaign for a charity, you might want: 10 square illustrations of people doing fundraising activities, with full colour.
You’ll get better value by commissioning in bulk. Most illustrators will lower the cost per illustration if you’re asking them to do a big batch. This is because once we get into the headspace of a project, it’s quicker and easier to do multiples.
The brief is arguably the most important part of asking for a quote. Providing clear and concise information in the illustration brief will ensure that the illustrator can create artwork that meets your expectations.
Budget
When working with an illustrator, it's very helpful to be transparent about your budget from the start. By letting them know your rough budget, they can adjust their quote to fit your needs.
This might mean limiting the license, using simpler illustrations, or agreeing to fewer rounds of feedback. Being upfront about your budget can also help avoid any surprises down the line, and can help a better working relationship between the two of you.
In short, by communicating your budget early on, you can ensure that the artist is able to provide the best possible service, while still staying within your means!
Territory
The next key information when asking for an illustration quote is: territory. This means where the illustrations will be used, such as in the UK, USA, or worldwide.
The wider the territory, the more expensive the project will be, as you’ll be buying more rights to use the illustrations. If the usage of the illustrations is limited to a particular country or region, it can be much cheaper! This is because the pricing is based on value.
Duration
When you work with an illustrator, you’ll usually be buying a license to use illustrations in a certain way, for a set amount of time. The shorter the time frame, the cheaper the quote will be. It is possible to buy perpetual rights, but this will always be the most expensive option.
You can opt for shorter-term licenses, such as a 1-year agreement, then renew the license when it expires. This option can help save you money and prevent paying for artwork that you no longer need.
Usage
When requesting a quote for illustrations, you’ll need to tell the artist how the images will be used. Whether it's for a magazine, social media, or merchandise, each of these purposes may require different rights and usage fees. Multiple usages will likely increase the overall cost of the project compared to just one usage.
To get the most for your money, you could request different usage/territory/duration combinations. e.g. 1 year social media worldwide, and 6 month UK in a print magazine.
Client
When briefing an illustrator, it is important to be clear about the client’s size and reach. This is because illustration fees are based on value, rather than time taken. For example, a multinational corporation like Starbucks would be quoted a higher amount than a local coffee shop!
References
The final key part of requesting a quote is to provide clear direction on the style of work that you are looking for.
Providing specific references from an illustrator’s own portfolio can be especially useful in conveying the type of work that you like. The more detail you can provide, about what you like or don’t like, the more likely it is that you will be happy with the final product.
How much does live illustration cost? Final thoughts
There are a few other extra factors which might increase the quote, such as short deadlines, or travelling to meetings. Every project is different, and most illustrators are happy to negotiate and get the right price for both client and artist.
So, now you’re ready to ask for a quote! If you’d like to commission illustration services from me, please drop me an email.
