To Use Art Licensor Or Not

So this sounds like an agent who takes 50%. I have experience with both publisher and agent. With a publisher you get would the industry standard for different products. I would try for a publisher. You work is beautiful! I'm sure you would do very well!

at the very least get the contract and read it over very carefully. there is usually little advantage and you have to pay out. however they may have leverage, go to shows and do other things you can't do. however if you stay on this site long enough, they will find you. sometimes you have to beat them off with a stick. but if you choose the wrong one, you'll need a bigger stick.

be sure the contract doesn't say you have to sell everything exclusively through them. and if you do use them, don't hold up all your designs with them, or you may get a raw deal down the line. a contract may state that if you get offers from outside, you have to do it through them.

just ask for a sample contract. if they don't have any - run.

---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

Thanks Jessica!

Thanks for the compliment on my work.

Yeah, they are an agent that takes 50%. They call themselves an art licensing company.

Your vote is to go the publisher route then.

I think I was waiting for my body of work to grow some more before I started approaching publishers. I only started going to fine art route in recent months. Currently, most of my time is devoted to commercial illustration work, which ebbs & flows. During the next ebb I'll work on my fine art paintings some more...:0)

Who decides what the profit is that you get half of?

If the profit is $1.00 they better sell A LOT to make it worth your time.

Thanks Mike!

Thanks for all of your advice.

Yeah, they sent me some sample contract paperwork. They did say that I have some leverage to change some of the verbage, if needed. I'll go over it. I just wanted to get some input on what's considered acceptable before I went over the contracts.

Hi John,

So, if one of my paintings was published as a puzzle & the publisher paid $1000 + royalties I'm guessing that the agent/licensor company would get $500 + 1/2 royalties.

Check out their success rate with other artists. 50% is standard but if your work is tied up in an exclusive deal with someone who doesn't know what they are doing, its a waste.

Also see if you can talk to other artists that they represent to see how they are to partner with. Do they pay promptly? Keep you informed on what's going on? etc.

Your work is fantastic and unique. So the partner will be lucky to represent you.

technically you can change all of it. and be sure to challenge them on anything that sounds odd. like indemnification rights - who is responsible, do you put it all on your shoulders? the exclusive stuff is important.

it probably won't be $1000, especially if its a wholesale deal.

you also want to know how long you have to be with them, how easy it is to get out of it, what they expect of you in return (one guy wanted new work every month, a huge thing, for the next 3 years). how do they pay? i had one place say they only paid quarterly. it took a year before i was paid, and that's only because i threatened to give them a very bad review. do some searching for them online, make sure they aren't taking credit for someone else's work, i've seen that happen with a person i had. be sure you can still sell on your own.

one of the biggest issues i have is that they kind of own your work, and i know i mentioned it before but any deal you get - you will have to cut the profit in half with your agent or you'll breach the contract. when i dealt with an agent - first and last time - i only allowed her certain works. so if someone else wanted it, i didn't have to give it her, when she didn't earn it.

---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

Thanks Edward!

I appreciate the comments.

I'll see about talking with other artists they represent.

btw - here's the company that contacted me - http://www.artlicensing.com/

They look like they have their act together. The CEO, Jack Appelman, emailed me to start the conversation, then his assistant followed up with the paperwork. I also saw part of a youtube video with Jack talking about art business - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpfVMHehyUY

Phil, your work is absolutely gorgeous! I would be VERY CAREFUL with any deals offered. If possible, get an Intellectual Property attorney to look over any contracts.

Thanks Mike!

I appreciate hearing about your art business experiences.

I'll look out for indemnification rights. I had to look that up...:0)

I'll read through the contracts with a fine tooth comb.

I think they said they paid every couple months.

Thanks Joy!

I have agreements with three publishers/licensors and I didn't use an agent. You can get your work in front of the right people without giving up half your potential income to someone who makes a couple phone calls on your behalf.

Beware.

Thanks Cynthia!

Yeah, I've never really liked the idea of giving money to "middlemen".

I've had good success with Art Licensing, Phil. Jack is an honest person and I'm happy with the partnership. They pay royalties on time and are a breeze to deal with. They also have industry contacts I do not, for example they just got me a deal with Bed Bath and Beyond.

Thanks Design Turnpike!

Your experience with Art Licensing sounds great.

Yeah, how would one contact Bed, Bath & Beyond. Probably art conventions or fairs. It's good to hear that they have those more exclusive contacts that might not be in the Artist's & Graphic Designer's Market book.

I gladly give 50 percent to my licensing partner Arcangel, because they have the connections and promote their artists to the industry.

Thanks Edward!

try to find out who else the sponsor and contact them to see if they like them or not.

---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

Thanks Mike!