How to price?

[GreenPartyVoter]

The restaurant I painted the other day, they want to buy the image for prints and tees assuming it would look ok. And I might offer the original as well, but not sure how to price that either.

Any suggestions? Would be so great if my hobby could become self-sustaining!

[LakeArenal]

1. At least costs and labor.

What’s your time worth? How many hours?
What were your supply costs + 30%?

At least get out what you have into it.
Multiply by 2 or 3 or whatever you think.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. No idea. I've always assumed I'd have to pay people to take my stuff.

If the restaurant wants to reproduce your art for their own commercial purposes, though, I'd ask for a higher figure than if they just wanted it to hang on a wall.

[secondwind]

3. Save your original.

It’s always exciting when someone wants to buy your work! I don’t know much about t-shirts or prints. You may want to ask a lawyer.

Good luck!

[lunatica]

4. I would do some research on what to charge.

They seem to be planning to use your image as some sort of representational design for their restaurant. That means they plan to make some tourist money through the use of your painting. I would look seriously into what all that means.

Be sure to sign the image so no one else gets credit for it. It won’t hurt to have your painting on display, but don’t just give it away.

If there is some copyright laws group on DU I would pay them a visit.

But, congratulations on the recognition the restaurant is giving you! It’s always great when your work is acknowledged, especially by people you hardly know.

[SheltieLover]

5. Congrats!

Can you get $ up front & royalties on merchandise sold?

[LunaSea]

6. You might want to check this out-

https://graphicartistsguild.org/product/the-graphic-artists-guild-handbook-pricing-ethical-guidelines/

Selling an original is one thing (and one price) reproduction rights are another.
This will confuse some clients who have not dealt with the difference and they sometimes balk.

You'd want to know how many items the image would be used for, would the client want to offer you a royalty per item? Or pay a flat fee for all (or limited) rights?

It can be tricky, most artists sell themselves short and are frankly just happy to have a buyer.
Don't do that.

But bear in mind that an image may have extended value, like signing on with a stock image catalog for instance.

I'd suggest calculating a price for the original, (figure a minimum for your time, materials and skill per square inch, this often makes it easy) add more for the repro rights and offer the buyer "exclusive" rights allowing them to reproduce it any way they wish for the total. You need not explain how you got to that price.
Remember to retain the right for use in self promotion in your portfolio if you sell all the rights.

And stipulate that you get a copy of anything they print your image on. You'd be amazed how many will commission a piece of art and sign their own name to it.

[nykym]

7. Back when I was freelancing

I was taught to charge accordingly:
1. Your time (hourly rate).
2. Materials used, that includes outside sources apart from you own.
3. And finally profit, but always remember to pay yourself first.

[bif]

8. Here's what I do...

I know it sounds weird, but I charge by the size of the canvas/painting. It's at least a good starting point, and the buyer can always negotiate the price. 9 x 12 =$125 11 x 14 and 12 x 16 = $225 and 16 x 20 = $325. $25 more framed. It seems pretty fair considering what I see at art shows.

Good luck!