How to Commission Illustrations: Briefs, Quotes, Revisions and Usage Rights
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Last Updated:
Category: Side Jobs
Authors: Shusaku Yosa
An illustration brief should explain both what to draw and where, when and how it will be used. A personal avatar and a commercial product can require different terms even when the artwork looks similar. Agree the specification, rough-approval process, revisions and usage before production.
Define the scope
Item | Information |
|---|---|
Purpose | Personal, internal, website, advertising or merchandise |
Content | People, composition, background, props and mood |
Quantity | Main artwork, expressions, outfits and alternate sizes |
Files | Dimensions, resolution, format, transparency and layers |
Schedule | Rough review, delivery and publication |
Usage | Media, duration, territory, changes, reuse and credit |
Use the profile-icon guide for avatars and the VTuber art guide for layered model assets. Do not combine unlike commissions into one supposedly universal average price.
Select the artist and compare quotes
- Review relevant deliverables, not only a style you like.
- Confirm who will produce the work and the communication schedule.
- Align proposals, revisions, usage, source files, tax and platform charges.
- Use references to explain preferences, not to request an unauthorized copy.
An individual enquiry template
I would like artwork for my personal [platform].
Content: [subject, composition and background]. Quantity: [ ].
Files: [size, format and transparency].
Monetization, ads or merchandise: [current and planned uses].
Deadline and budget: [ ].
Please quote the revision scope, usage terms and credit requirements.
A business enquiry template
We need illustrations for [purpose and media].
Audience and message: [ ].
Specification, quantity and reasons for references: [ ].
Usage period, territory, advertising and reuse: [ ].
Approver and review dates: [ ].
Delivery format, date and budget: [ ].
Please include source files, modification rights and future-commission conditions.
Use staged approval
- Confirm requirements, quote and start conditions.
- Review composition and layout in the rough and consolidate changes.
- Check color and detail in the final stage; renegotiate a new direction.
- Inspect every file, variant and usage condition at acceptance.
A “small change” to composition or a character can require substantial redrawing. Identify likely changes early and discuss both fees and timing.
Separate license, assignment and credit
Term | Question |
|---|---|
License | Which media, period and purposes are permitted? |
Changes and reuse | Can it be cropped, combined with text, republished or sold on products? |
Assignment | Is it necessary, what is included and at what fee? |
Credit | What name, position or omission conditions apply? |
Artist portfolio | When and to what extent may the artist publish the result? |
Assignment is not always necessary for the uses you need. A suitable license can define them. The copyright-contract guidance helps frame the discussion; moral rights and derivative-work rights also warrant separate attention. “Buyout” is too vague on its own.
Keep a usable record
Store the delivered files, contract, permission terms, approved changes and payment record together. Before reusing the artwork in a new product or advertisement, check whether that use was already included.
Related guides
Related Otame4 guides currently link to Japanese pages.
Sources and further checks
Public information checked on September 30, 2026. Japanese official sources are linked below; verify current requirements for your situation.
