Do you use a written agreement for commission work?

I think it's fundamental to have a written agreement, even if simple. It should make clear the requested work, the deadline, the price, the method of payment, the number of included revisions, and what happens if there are changes or delays. It protects the artist and also the client.

I can tell you that as some one who was a former attorney ALWAYS do your commission work in writing because of the exact problems that you are spelling out. Put in a deposit and price schedules, time expectations and exceptions based upon weather conditions -- anything that you can think of should go into that agreement because with a stroke of a pen, initials and a date you can eliminate that clause. Once you have created that agreement once you can use that agreement for all of your commissioned work with minor tweaks. You can probably google commission agreements or ask ARTY our favorite AI partner for "boiler plate" commission agreements to get you started. Your failure to get such an agreement in writing will result in a posssible headache that could end up in court; if a misunderstanding ends up in court it usually gets interpreted against the maker of the agreement (even if oral) which will probably be you! Therefore, get it in writing! Bottom line -- writing, get the agreement in writing and if they, the buyer refuses to reduce the agreement to writing RUN the other way because their is a problem!

You definitely need a contract any time you are commissioned to do work. You can look up on line for sample "generic" contracts and re-word as necessary. Without a contract, you can get into an "endless game" of "well, it's not exactly what I'm looking for"....... My first commissioned piece turned out that way and I realized to late I should have had a contract!!! I finally handed over to my client some excellent images at no charge....... just to get them off my back....... Lesson learned: Contract..... contract....... contract!!! Good Luck!!

I have a standard written contract that I use. It includes the specific parameters for the artwork, the price, how delivery will be handles + extra cost if shipping is involved. I require 50% down before I start once specifics are determined and the rest upon delivery.

I do an initial meet to discuss what the client would like and also do mock-up thumbnails in color to show they client so that changes can still be made before a contract is signed.

I have artist friends who will do a down-payment plan over 3-6 months and will keep the artwork for the client until the last payment is received.

kind of?

I get size, subject matter, colors, mood, their location over phone or email.
(if they don't give you this it is a scam).
Then give them a firm price plus shipping and packaging.
I let them know that I retain copyright for print sales. If they dont want me to do that I double the price. never happen yet.

Then I get 100% before I start.
Then I let them Know they can NOT make changes after the receive my art.

Then I get a signature on the last Item.

I didn't use to get written contracts for commissions because it was generally friends. Then a referral changed their mind when I was 3/4 of the way finished. I now send a contract & ask for a down payment. I use Arty for the contract as the contracts vary depending on the subject & the person.

Solid list. The items you named cover about 80% of what trips artists up on commissions. Two additions worth baking in:

- Usage and reproduction rights. Spell out whether the buyer can make prints, use the image commercially, or post it publicly. Most commission disputes that get ugly come down to "I thought I owned the image" vs. "you bought the physical piece, not the copyright." One sentence in the agreement prevents that.

- A payment schedule with a non-refundable deposit (typically 50% up front, balance on approval of the final piece). "Payment options" is good, but locking the deposit percentage and when each installment is due removes the gray area.

And yes, I can absolutely help draft one. Let me build you a commission agreement template with all of these baked in, and you can tweak the language to fit how you work.

Other resources you might find helpful:

- Do you use a contract for commissions? — Real artists share concrete contract essentials for commissions: deposits, scope clarity, revision limits, and usage rights—directly applicable to landing and protecting paid work.

- Okay since the hot topic seems to be all about commissions, here's my 2 cents: — Concrete advice on written agreement essentials, deposit requirements, and expectation-setting that directly prevents payment disputes in commissions.

- Thinking back — Compilation of lessons on handling buyer objections, qualifying collectors, and understanding why people buy art—directly applicable to landing commissions.

Arty is our artist super-assistant. Trained on all things related to art business & marketing. use @arty in a post or comment to ask Arty directly. upvote & downvote to provide feedback.

Always, always, ALWAYS, get it in writing. Get it notarized and witnessed by at least 2 people on top of it. Even if it costs extra. With so many scam artists out there, you can't be too careful. In California, emails and texts are considered legally binding contracts. Verbal agreements as well, but I would record the entire conversation, after informing the other party that you are doing so (two party consent state). If they are weird/sketchy about recording, or getting anything in writing, then walk away.

I use a contract. Basically, it keeps the client and me on track. And half down to start. Happy to discuss in detail, if anyone wishes.

In my case, as an illustrator, I have used several times the ready-made contracts from the association of illustrators in my country. You could probably access an association of photographers with this kind of legal aid available.

Yes! Drafting a simple commission agreement can save you the stress of going all in on an offer from someone you don't know, hence, don't trust. You can draft one quickly with the help of @arty, and you should include a timeline, number of revisions, dimensions, media, delivery date, payment options, and clear clauses that state the consequences of breaching the agreement (AKA no refund on the advanced payment, for example).

I was asked to do 2 paintings of dogs. A PayPal receipt was sent... But no $ came through. Another person "bought" a picture that I had already posted on this site. PayPal was used... and no $ was sent to me. Fortunately I didn't mail out any of these paintings. This was the first time that I was going to be able to sell my artwork... Life can be very challenging!

P.S. I did finish the paintings of the dogs... To sell to someone else??

Every single time.

I don't take an assignment or a commission job without a very detailed written agreement. Normally, I learn the client's requirements and establish my conditions over email and the phone, produce a first draft, discuss it with the client, and when everyone is on the same page, we meet to sign.

I do this even with clients I’ve done over 30 jobs for through the years. No exceptions.

I have worked for 20 years and almost always without a written contract. I have had one client that never paid me. The times that I made a contract I just took examples on the internet. However I always take a down payment by invoice and write down the details of the job to come.

Usually when people do a down payment. They are serious. I mostly had very kind correct clients. and so between kind people we connect. ….

I still think I will have a contract in the future as one cannot be careful enough.

Yes, always! We should think of it as you have a fixed minimum fee – like laying the groundwork for a "service". The costs involved with this order. At a minimum, this should be included in the agreement and should be paid as confirmation of this order.

That’s how I see it.

I have a Commissions page on my other website at www.jancalderwoodfineart.com

where I explain the process of commissioning and the requirements in terms of reference photos and a deposit. All is agreed in writing before I proceed. I also send regular updates of the work in progress so that clients know what they are getting in advance. I created this info myself- please have a look

Yes. A clear concise agreement will make for less stress, less misunderstandings, know what each party expects, and a much happier conclusion.

Have a contract in writing. Use Claude at least

no I usually ask for 50% up front and the other 50% before I ship the painting. I've learned.

So far no I haven’t used any written agreement . I do require a Dow payment.

Yes, always have a written agreement when doing a commission. Your art is very different from my commission art, acrylic painting, but you have to define timelines, the scope of the subject, expectations, communication between the client and the final outcome. I work very closely with my clients. I want them to be happy and understand any and all limitations I may have with what they are requesting.

I don't use a contract or written agreement, who or where do i go for a template

Dalle mie parti non sei al sicuro neanche con un contratto scritto purtroppo.

Hello! I encountered this issue back when I was working on motorcycle projects. It always bothered me, as I strove to be a free artist, unconstrained by conditions or boundaries. Consequently, all agreements between the client and me were always informal. Of course, problems did arise from time to time.At some point, I decided that I prefer freedom of choice and creative flight—and clients need to take that into account. It is not the individual creating; it is the universe creating through the individual. That is why, in my view, creative constraints and limitations are unacceptable. Thank you, and all the best to you!

I would like to know too. I'm very new to the industry. 😊