Artwork prices

[kris_hm]

Hi Guys,
Can you advice how much can cost a nice design for t shirts??
I understand that prices vary a lot. But maybe you've got some examples as you've bought some designs before??
I can get my hands on some paintings and drawings (A4 size) but don't have a clue how to price it up :/

[accdave]

Do you mean how much to pay the artist ?

[kris_hm]

yes. or rather how much would be a fair price or how much you pay to your artists??

[Justin]

I got qoutes from many artists before finding the ones I wanted, you get what you pay for but can get artists from all over the world. In a country where the average wage is £25 per week an artist charging you £50 for a design will be very happy

I used a couple in Canada and the US simply because they had experience in the styles I wanted. I set a price for a number of designs up front and agreed unlimited revisions on everything as well as full copyright sign over at the end. I spent several thousand pounds getting all of my designs, some designers only wanted £25-£50 and they were fine, other designers I paid a few hundred due to the complexity involved.

There's no real definitive answer, get an idea of what you want and get some qoutes, they'll vary wildly, don't assume the most expensive will be the best and don't assume someone wanting a few quid will be lousy....it often isn't the case!

[kris_hm]

thanks Justin. I want to start my new venture Want to sublimate different gadgets (mainly tees and polo) with unique artworks. I don't want slogans or funny pictures as market is full of that. So I found 5-6 artists who agreed to cooperate and share their arts on commission basis. I know it would be better to buy copyrights from them but I don't want to risk cash. But some are willing to sell also, so that's why I've asked
I think my idea is nice ;P but I'm so worry about finding right market :/

[John G]

If the commission paid to the artists is a small amount of the selling price, it would be a good deal to test the market. If it doesn't work you're not going to be out of pocket, if it is successful then buy the designs outright or search for a better deal with another artist.

[accdave]

Do you all advertise for artisits or do they come to you. Where will I find them

[Justin]

http://www.bobex.co.uk

http://www.designoutpost.com/

http://www.guru.com/

[DREAMGLASS]

Having a natural disposition to not parting with money, I took an alternative route and taught myself design, illustration and art. Whilst working with vectors initially had me pulling my hair out by the roots, I persisted with things and gradually got to a point where I am totally independant of others.

The whole problem with having artists on a commision basis, is that they will will typically have higher expectation of sales, than is generally achieveable. Sublimation garments suffer from limitations of containing polyester (not the sexiest of materials) and only being available in light colours. Although I sell subli tees myself on a commercial basis, I myself wouldn't wear a white tee, even though it presents the best 'canvas' for colour reproduction. Black cotton tees are by far the number one seller by a long margin and those are the ones that sell in volume.

[kris_hm]

Do you all advertise for artisits or do they come to you. Where will I find them

try to look in artists communities. for example deviantart.com
so many (millions) of young artist looking for any opportunity. many of them from abroad where british pound is very strong currency !! find them, contact them, make an offer and wait for reply !! easy as that