Find your exact rate
Typical project work, moderate complexity.
Factor in AI tool subscriptions
Your Rate
Day Rate
$450
Project Est.
$2,200
Retainer
$8,350/mo
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Community Data
What do you actually charge?
Anonymous. Helps improve market benchmarks.
How to Use Licensing-Based Pricing as a Freelance Illustrator
Licensing fees for illustration depend on usage scope. A digital-only licence for a small brand starts at $200–$500; a broad commercial licence for a national campaign can run $2,000–$10,000 on top of creation fees.
Floor
$200
per hour
Typical
$2,000
per hour
Premium
$10,000
per hour
Find your exact rate
Typical project work, moderate complexity.
Factor in AI tool subscriptions
Your Rate
Day Rate
$450
Project Est.
$2,200
Retainer
$8,350/mo
Was this helpful?
Community Data
What do you actually charge?
Anonymous. Helps improve market benchmarks.
What changes the price
- Usage type (web, print, broadcast, out-of-home, packaging)
- Geographic territory (regional, national, worldwide)
- Licence duration (one year, three years, perpetual)
- Exclusivity (exclusive vs. non-exclusive)
- Commercial vs. editorial use
- Distribution scale (limited run vs. mass market)
- Whether original creation fee was already paid
Real quote breakdowns
Website and Social Media Licence
A small business wants to licence a previously created illustration for use on their website and social media for two years.
Breakdown
Non-exclusive digital licence, two-year term, web and social use only, no creation fee (illustration already exists).
Product Packaging Licence
A food brand wants to use an illustration on product packaging for national retail distribution for three years.
Breakdown
Exclusive product packaging licence, national territory, three-year term, print production rights, no broadcast or digital advertising use.
Advertising Campaign Licence
A major brand wants to use an illustration across a national advertising campaign including print, digital, and out-of-home for one year.
Breakdown
Exclusive campaign licence, all media types, national territory, one-year term, with option to renew at 60% of original fee.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate a licensing fee for my illustrations?
A common formula: creation fee × usage multiplier. Digital-only web use might be 0.5×; national print advertising 2–5×; broadcast TV 3–8×. The Graphic Artists Guild Handbook provides industry benchmarks.
What is the difference between a licence and a work-for-hire agreement?
A licence lets you retain copyright and grants specific rights to the client. Work-for-hire transfers full ownership to the client, who owns the copyright. Always charge 2–4× more for work-for-hire than a limited licence.
How do I track and enforce my illustration licences?
Include licence terms, duration, and territory clearly in your invoice and contract. For valuable licences, add a monitoring clause. Organisations like DACS offer resale rights collection for certain territories.
Can I charge a client more if they use my illustration beyond the agreed licence?
Yes. Unlicensed use is copyright infringement. You can invoice for retroactive licensing at a premium (typically 2× the standard fee) or pursue a formal infringement claim. Keep records of all licences issued.