If you’re here, you must be an artist. You have this illustration or artwork you have been working on for a while and want to ensure you own the copyright. You’ve also heard that licensing your artwork is a great way to earn money from it for a long time. What you don’t know is the process involved in licensing artwork.
The most common challenge artists face is uncovering the process involved in contemporary art licensing and pricing. You don’t want to get out of the market because you overprice your work and want to ensure your royalty is profitable. Getting the right company to license your work is also a challenge most people artists encounter.
What is artwork licensing?
Artwork licensing is when an artist comes into a contract with a company or an individual to use their artwork for commercial purposes in exchange for a fee. This is usually done in a one-off payment or ongoing sales commission. The fee paid will depend on the terms of the contract.
As an artist, you can make a living and consistent income by signing a contract with a reputable company. Licensing assures passive income and is way better than manufacturing a product range.
When you come up with a piece of art like illustration or music, you own the copyright to the art. That means you can make money from the artwork if you don’t give up the copyright and lose control of how people use the content.
You can protect your copyright in different ways: from one-time licensing to ongoing agreements where manufacturers make multiple runs. You can license your work and earn income from it in many ways. In most cases, there is no one way that fits all when licensing your work.
There are different ways you can find artwork licensing deals from companies:
– A company approaches you so you can sign a deal with them
– You have an agent or manager who represents you, and they help you to find better deals
– You approach a company as an individual, and you ask them to pitch your artwork for licensing
You can combine these three to have your work licensed, but this will depend on the terms of the contract you are getting into.
When you license your artwork as an artist, you are paid a fee for the commercial use of the artwork.
There are companies out there looking for quality artwork to package and market their brands in the industry. These companies will approach you for a deal, and it is always important that you go through the contract before you sign.
What are the benefits of licensing your artwork?
There are many benefits of licensing your artwork. Once you land a licensing deal, the reproduction of an original illustration or drawing will be featured in different marketing materials for the company that owns the license deal. Here are the benefits of licensing you should know:
– Increased exposure: By licensing your artwork, you increase your exposure to your piece of work, you get recognized in various markets, and you build a brand.
– Cross-promotion: When you license your work, you also promote yourself as an artist behind the work.
You can feature your work on the licensing company’s website and all social media pages, increasing your audience and reach.
– Increased income: When you license your artwork, you increase your income. You earn money from the sale of your original work. You are most likely to make more money than you would when you sell the artwork at a total price.
Do you need an agent when licensing your artwork?
As an artist, you need to link with a reputable illustration agency such as Astound to license your artwork. If you are new to the industry, getting a reputable company into a contract is not easy. An agency will link you to a company that likes your artwork and get you a favorable deal.
Most agencies have contacts with leading companies in your industry, some that may take you ages to find if you’re working alone.
Final Thoughts
When you have a piece of artwork you value, you should have a copyright and get a license. Licensing your artwork protects your intellectual rights and opens doors to earning more as an artist.
