Before You Commission
Research the artist before reaching out. Review their portfolio, previous commissions, and any public terms they have posted. Make sure their style aligns with the character or scene you have in mind. Check whether they are open for commissions and what their current queue looks like.
Be ready with reference material. Clean, well-lit reference images of your character make the process smoother for everyone. If you only have a text description, expect the artist to ask clarifying questions or to charge extra for design work.
Pricing & Value
Every artist sets their own rates based on experience, complexity, and time. Do not haggle or pressure an artist to lower their prices. Their rates reflect years of practice, software costs, and the time spent on your piece.
Factor in extras: backgrounds, additional characters, complex armor or clothing, animations, and commercial use licenses all affect the final price. Ask for a quote upfront and confirm what is included before work begins.
Terms & Contracts
Agree on the scope in writing. A simple written summary—sent via note, email, or a commission form—prevents misunderstandings. Include:
- The exact deliverables (e.g., full-color illustration, sketch page, badge)
- Deadlines or turnaround estimates
- Revision limits and what counts as a revision versus a new request
- Refund and cancellation policies
- Usage rights (personal vs. commercial)
Save a copy of the agreement. Both parties should have access to the same written terms in case questions arise later.
Payment Safety
Use trusted payment platforms with buyer and seller protections. Many artists prefer services that offer invoices and dispute resolution. Avoid direct bank transfers to strangers, cryptocurrency without escrow, or payment methods with no recourse.
Understand the payment schedule. Common options include:
- Full upfront — the artist receives payment before starting.
- Half upfront, half on completion — a deposit secures your slot; the remainder is due before the final file is delivered.
- Milestone payments — useful for large or long-term projects.
Never send payment as a "gift" or "friends and family" if the platform offers business protections. That bypasses safeguards for both sides.
Communication Best Practices
Be concise and polite. Artists often manage multiple commissions and personal projects. Patience is appreciated—most artists reply within a few business days.
Consolidate feedback. Instead of sending a stream of small messages, gather your thoughts into one clear list. Reference specific areas of the draft (e.g., "The ears on the left sketch look great; could the tail be a bit fluffier?").
Respect boundaries. Do not send unsolicited reference images of adult or fetish content unless the artist explicitly states they accept that subject matter and you are both of legal age in your jurisdictions.
Revisions & Changes
Most artists include a set number of revisions in their base price—typically one to three rounds of changes. Minor tweaks (color adjustments, small pose shifts) usually count differently from major redraws. If you change your mind about the entire composition after the sketch stage, expect additional fees or a restart of the queue slot.
Approve stages promptly. Artists often send a sketch for approval before inking or coloring. Delays at these checkpoints can push back the final deadline.
Disputes & Resolution
If something goes wrong, address it calmly and in writing. Reference the original agreement and describe the specific issue. Most problems can be solved with a polite conversation and a compromise.
If an artist fails to deliver after a reasonable time and stops responding, you may need to open a dispute through your payment platform. Keep all correspondence and the original agreement as evidence. On Furbound, you can also report concerns via the Report page.
Advice for Artists
Post your terms publicly. A clear TOS (Terms of Service) page or linked document reduces repetitive questions and protects you in disputes. Include your pricing, what you will and will not draw, your queue limit, and your refund policy.
Use watermarked work-in-progress previews. Sharing low-resolution or watermarked previews until final payment is received is a common and reasonable practice.
Keep your queue visible. Let buyers know where they stand. A simple "slot 3 of 5" update builds trust and reduces anxious check-ins.
Do not overbook. Taking on more work than you can finish on time harms your reputation and stresses you out. It is better to open a waitlist than to miss deadlines.