Custom Studio Policy and Art Commission Notice

What a good one includes

• A clear payment schedule outlining non-refundable deposits, retainer fees, and when the final balance must be paid before delivery.
• A specific revision policy that details exactly how many rounds of drafts are included and the extra fees associated with major concept changes.
• An explicit intellectual property clause stating that you retain the copyright and self-promotion rights, while defining the client's limited personal or commercial usage rights.
• A realistic production timeline and shipping section that covers carrier tracking, insurance, and who is responsible for customs fees or transit damages.
• A termination policy explaining what portion of the fee is kept as a kill fee if the project is cancelled mid-way through production.
• Defined communication boundaries, specifying your working hours and preferred platforms to prevent late-night messages on social media.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Forgetting to specify that the initial deposit or booking fee is non-refundable to cover your prep work and held calendar space.
• Being too vague about revision limits, which often leads to endless, unpaid rounds of edits that stall your creative workflow.
• Neglecting to explicitly state whether the client can use the artwork for commercial profit or if it is strictly for personal display.
• Using copy-pasted legal jargon that confuses clients instead of plain, warm language that reflects your actual studio vibe.

Frequently asked questions