How to price art commissions
Updated August 17, 2026
Price commissions from time, not vibes: (hours the piece takes) times (an hourly rate you can live on) plus fees and costs, rounded to a clean tier. An artist who takes 5 hours on a full-body piece at $20 an hour should charge around $100, not the $40 that undercuts them. Start slightly below established artists of similar skill, fill your slots, then raise prices each time demand outruns them.
The formula
Price = (hours × hourly rate) + platform and payment fees + a revision buffer. Track how long two or three real pieces take before setting numbers; artists almost always underestimate their hours. Set the hourly rate at least at your local minimum wage, and closer to a freelance rate ($20 to $40) once your queue fills.
Worked tier example
| Tier | Typical hours | Listed price |
|---|---|---|
| Headshot sketch | 1 to 1.5h | $25 to $35 |
| Half body, flat color | 2 to 3h | $50 to $70 |
| Full body, shaded | 4 to 6h | $90 to $130 |
| Detailed scene | 8 to 12h | $180 to $260 |
| Emote set of 5 | 3 to 4h | $60 to $85 |
Fees belong in the price
Whatever you sell through takes a cut or a processing fee, and it should be in the sticker, not eaten silently. Marketplace platforms take 5 to 20%; on an Ouish storefront the buyer covers the 6% processing fee on top of your price, so the tier you list is the amount you receive. Either way, decide who pays the fee on purpose.
When and how to raise prices
- Slots fill within a day or two: raise 15 to 25% on the next opening.
- A waitlist forms: raise until the waitlist is short; that is the market telling you the price.
- You dread opening slots: the price is too low for the labor; raise or shrink scope.
- Grandfathering regulars at old prices for one cycle keeps goodwill while you move.
The mistakes that keep artists underpaid
- Pricing against hobbyists instead of against your actual hours.
- Unlimited revisions; cap them (two rounds is standard) and price extra rounds.
- Quoting commercial use at personal-use prices; usage for monetized channels or merch is worth 1.5 to 3 times more.
- Not charging upfront; half or full prepayment is normal and protects your queue.
List your tiers where the buyer pays the fee
Ouish is a tip jar, wishlist and storefront for streamers and creators. Post each tier as a product, keep the sticker price whole, and deliver files instantly.
Set up your commission storeFrequently asked questions
How much should I charge for an art commission?
Multiply the real hours a piece takes by an hourly rate you can live on (at minimum your local minimum wage, ideally $20 to $40 once demand exists), then add fees and a revision buffer.
What is the formula for calculating commission prices?
Hours × hourly rate + platform/payment fees + revision buffer, rounded to a clean tier price.
What is the 70/30 rule in art?
A composition guideline about keeping 70% of a piece simple and 30% detailed. It is not a pricing or fee-split rule.
Should commissions be paid upfront?
Half or full payment upfront is standard practice. It filters non-serious requests and protects the time you reserve.