Illustration Commission Guide: Methods, Costs & Outsourcing Tips

Illustrations are used across websites, ads, social media, games, and books. When in-house talent is unavailable or high quality is essential, commissioning a professional illustrator is a must. This article is a comprehensive outsourcing guide for both individuals and businesses—covering how to commission illustrations, cost benchmarks by use-case, game illustration specifics, and key considerations to avoid common pitfalls.

How to Commission Illustrations

There are four main ways to commission illustrations. Crowdsourcing platforms (CrowdWorks, Lancers, Coconala) are the easiest entry point—contest formats let you receive proposals from multiple illustrators, and package listings show price, turnaround, and revision limits upfront. Direct commissioning of freelance illustrators via social media, portfolios, or commission platforms like Skeb and SKIMA lets you pinpoint a specific art style while avoiding agency markups. Illustration production companies are ideal for corporate or large-scale projects, offering quality control, deadline management, and expertise in niches such as game illustration or technical illustration. Finally, industry associations such as the Japan Illustrators' Association (JAI) and JAGDA host vetted professionals, making them a reliable source when quality assurance is a concern.

Cost Benchmarks by Use Case

SNS icons and simple spot illustrations typically cost 1,500–10,000 yen when commissioned from freelancers. Character design (creating an original character) runs 30,000–100,000 yen, rising further if world-building and concept art are included. Book covers and editorial illustrations range from 30,000 to 150,000 yen; product packaging illustration spans 20,000–300,000 yen. VTuber character design with a standing pose costs 10,000–200,000 yen, and adding Live2D modeling can add over 100,000 yen on top. Production companies generally charge 1.5–3 times more than individual freelancers due to direction and project management overhead, though they deliver greater quality consistency and total support—often making them more cost-effective for large corporate projects.

Game Illustration: Commissioning & Costs

Game illustration is a critical element that expresses a game's world-view, and per-piece costs tend to run high. Social game and mobile-app character art, in particular, directly affects download numbers, so budgets are set accordingly.

Typical game illustration rates: a single character standing pose runs 20,000–100,000 yen; a full illustration with background runs 50,000–300,000 yen. Original character design from scratch costs 30,000–100,000 yen, with expression and pose variants adding several thousand to 5,000 yen per variant. Background illustrations vary by complexity—simple interiors are relatively inexpensive, while fantasy landscapes and detailed cityscapes cost significantly more.

Costs also depend on the coloring style. Anime-style flat coloring (cel shading) is more affordable because of its simplicity, while brush painting and heavy gradient work require more labor and command higher prices. When commissioning game illustrations, organize the intended game world, art style, and required number of cuts in advance for a smoother process.

The Illustration Commissioning Workflow

Start by organizing your brief: purpose, target medium, size, art style, deadline, and budget. Prepare reference images to prevent miscommunication. Next, select your illustrator or studio by reviewing portfolios, then request a quote to confirm cost and timeline. Once the order is placed, the illustrator produces a rough sketch (draft). Review the rough to align on composition and character feel—since finished illustrations are difficult to rework, thorough checking at this stage is crucial. After draft approval, the artist completes line art and coloring, followed by client review, revisions, and final delivery.

Key Considerations to Avoid Problems

First, clearly communicate usage rights. The same illustration can cost vastly different amounts depending on whether it's for a personal blog or a national advertising campaign—pricing is determined by the medium and scope of use. Repurposing art for a different medium later typically incurs additional fees. Second, confirm copyright handling. Copyright belongs to the illustrator by default in Japan. If a company wants unrestricted use, copyright transfer terms must be negotiated upfront. This is especially important for game illustrations and character designs that may be merchandised. Third, confirm the number of included revisions—typically 2–3 rounds are covered, with extra rounds charged separately. Being specific about your requirements from the start ultimately reduces costs. Fourth, specify delivery file formats (PSD, AI, PNG, JPEG) based on whether the art is for web or print.

Summary

Illustration commissions can be placed through crowdsourcing, direct freelancer engagement, production companies, or illustrator associations. Costs range from a few thousand yen for simple icons to tens of thousands—or even hundreds of thousands—for game illustration character designs and key visuals. Game illustration is directly tied to world-building, and costs fluctuate with coloring style and the number of variants. To ensure a successful commission, clarify usage rights, confirm copyright terms, agree on revision limits, and specify file formats. Whether for personal or corporate use, start by organizing your brief and comparing portfolios to find the illustrator who best matches your vision.