Pricing & Charging
Pricing is one of the most difficult aspects of being an artist. If you price too low, you'll burn out. If you price too high, you might struggle to find clients. The goal is to find your Sustainable Price.
The Three Pillars of Pricing
1. Cost of Living
How much do you need to earn per month to cover rent, food, software subscriptions, and taxes? Divide this by the number of hours you can realistically spend drawing each month to find your minimum hourly rate.
2. Market Value
Research other artists with similar skill levels and styles. While you shouldn't just copy their prices, it's important to understand the market you are entering.
3. Value to the Client
A drawing for a client's personal avatar is valued differently than a drawing that will be used on a commercial book cover or a video game. Always charge more for commercial usage.
⚠️ The "Race to the Bottom"
Never try to be the "cheapest" artist. There will always be someone willing to work for less. Focus on quality, reliability, and professionalism to justify higher rates.
How to Raise Your Prices
If your queue is consistently full for more than 2 months, it's time to raise your prices. A full queue means your demand is higher than your supply.
- Incremental Increases: Try raising your base price by 10-15% next time you open commissions.
- Announce it Early: Give your regular clients a "last chance" to order at your old rates before the change takes effect.
Charging for Extras
Don't forget to charge for the "unseen" work:
- Complex backgrounds or props.
- Additional characters (+50% to +100% of base price per character).
- Rush fees for tight deadlines.
- Excessive revisions.