I saw a post about artists charging way too little for their work

I was scrolling through a different art forum yesterday and saw someone selling a full character illustration for like $15. It made me stop and think, because I know that piece probably took them hours. I mean, after software costs and everything, that's basically nothing per hour. It got me wondering how we all decide what to charge when we post our work for commissions. Do you have a set formula, like a base rate plus extra for details? I'm trying to figure out my own prices without scaring people off.

3 comments

3 Comments

richard_west6823d ago

I used to price my stuff super low just to get any commission at all. Then I saw a friend track her time on a simple logo and it came out to less than minimum wage. That was a real wake up call. Now I start with a basic hourly rate for myself, then add costs for the program I use and any extra complex stuff the client wants. It feels scary to post those higher prices, but the right people will pay for quality work.

felix_williams7122d ago

Yeah, the race to the bottom is a real trap. Charging what you're actually worth feels like a crime at first.

joel_butler23d ago

Honestly, the low prices can mess up the market for everyone else.