Setting up a commissions page on your website

When I was trying to figure out my own commissions page, I spent a lot of time stuck on the same questions you're describing. What actually helped me move forward was finding a structured guide or framework for commissions specifically, not just general website advice. There are some really solid free resources out there if you search for commissions playbooks or walkthroughs geared toward artists selling custom work. Having a step by step outline took so much of the guesswork out of it for me, things like what to put above the fold, how to frame pricing without scaring people off, what kind of examples actually move someone from browsing to reaching out. Might save you some of the back and forth you're going through now.

One thing that worked for me when I set up a section for custom shoots was breaking it into sub pages by type of project. So instead of one big commissions page trying to do everything, I had separate pages for, say, object portraits versus interior vignettes versus event work. Each one got its own mini portfolio with a few lines about what the process looks like for that specific kind of piece. It kept things from feeling like a wall of text, and people could self select into the thing they actually wanted. For your bold acrylics, you could split it by landscape commissions versus florals, each with its own examples and notes on sizing and timeline. Visitors seem to convert better when they land somewhere that already feels tailored to what they're imagining.

Keep it as straightforward as possible. One page, a contact form, and or email.

Pricing starts at $500 or whatever your pricing starts at. That's it. That lets them know the point of entry.

You can have a process like contact form > consultation or form for what's requested > confirmation with pricing > agreement, price up front.

The commission page should give basic info, an option to contact, set expectations, and walk away. People who really want a commission will proceed.

It should go something like this:

Thank you for your interest in my commissions. I'm excited to collaborate with you on what you envision.

Commission pricing starts at $495 and goes up depending on details, and payment is required in full once the commission begins. All custom artwork is non-refundable.

If you'd like to inquire about a commission, please contact me here. I generally reply in 48 hrs or less.

This shows you're excited, but that there is an entry point. Commissions can and should be exclusive. People who aren't serious should be weeded out right away, and being able to get a commission should feel like a luxury service.

The consultation or form is where details and what's possible are hashed out. NOT the commission form.

Hey! The fact that you noticed the gap right after finishing a piece means you're thinking about this at the right time, when the process is still fresh in your head.

The answer to your either/or is actually neither. Full price-tier spreadsheets scare people off (it reads like a contractor's bid sheet, not an invitation to collaborate). But "contact me" with zero context attracts tire-kickers who have no idea what to expect and ghost when they hear the number. The sweet spot is structured enough to set expectations, loose enough to start a conversation.

Here's what to put on the page:

- Show 3 to 5 past commissions with a one-sentence backstory each. "This collector wanted the view from their kitchen window in Sedona" lands harder than a finished painting alone. For bold semi-abstract acrylics, the backstory also tells people how much creative freedom you keep versus how literal you go, which is the #1 question commission buyers have for abstract-leaning artists.

- Use "starting at" pricing instead of a full grid. Something like "Custom pieces start at $X for 18x24 and scale with size and complexity." That anchors their expectations without locking you into a rate card you'll regret in six months.

- Walk them through your process in 3 to 4 plain-language steps. Something like: we talk about what you're envisioning, I send a rough color study for approval, I paint the final piece, you get it shipped. People commission art for the first time way more often than you'd think, and a simple roadmap removes the "I don't know how this works" barrier.

- Name your typical timeline and current availability. "Most pieces take 4 to 6 weeks from conversation to delivery" plus "I take X commissions at a time" creates urgency without pressure.

- End with a single clear next step. Not a generic contact form buried in a menu. A button or line that says "Tell me what you have in mind" linking to your email or a short intake form asking size, room, vibe, and budget range.

Skip listing every possible size/substrate/frame combination. That turns the page into a catalog. You want the page to feel like the start of a conversation, not a checkout page.

Want a head start on the actual copy? I can draft your commissions page text based on your work and style

Other resources you might find helpful:

- Do you use a written agreement for commission work? — Learn what should go in a commission agreement to protect yourself and set clear client expectations before starting paid work.

- First commission request and I have no idea what to price it — Experienced photographers share concrete strategies for pricing commissions above retail rates, accounting for custom work, travel time, and scouting labor.

- First time pricing a custom commission piece — Real commission-pricing strategies: per-square-inch rates, hourly estimation, line-item breakdowns for framing/shipping that directly populate a commissions page.

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.