Setting a fair price for a digital art commission can be challenging. Many artists undercharge because they only consider how long a piece takes to create. Others may overestimate a client's budget and lose opportunities. This calculator helps balance time, cost of supplies, and complexity. The core formula multiplies the hours spent by a chosen rate, adds material expenses, then adjusts for overall difficulty:
Where is price, is hours, is hourly rate, represents materials, and is a complexity multiplier. A simple sketch may have , while a full-color scene might use or more.
Your hourly rate should reflect both your skill level and local market demand. Many artists base it on living expenses plus a markup for expertise. Table 1 shows sample rates for different experience levels:
| Experience | Typical Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| Beginner | $15 – $25 |
| Intermediate | $25 – $40 |
| Professional | $40 – $80 |
These numbers are just guidelines. If you specialize in a niche style or have a strong portfolio, your rate might be higher. Consider the complexity of your pieces, turnaround time, and the level of customer service you provide.
Even digital art often incurs direct costs: premium brushes, special software licenses, and reference materials. If you use a drawing tablet, there may be wear on nibs or additional accessories. The material input lets you factor these expenses into your price. Keeping track of receipts helps justify your costs to clients.
Complexity is highly subjective. This calculator uses a multiplier so you can adjust based on the number of characters, level of background detail, or requested revisions. For a simple bust portrait, a multiplier near 1 may suffice. If the commissioner wants a detailed landscape with multiple light sources, you might set a factor of 1.5 or even 2.0 to reflect the extra effort.
Let's examine a few scenarios:
| Hours | Rate | Materials | Complexity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | $20 | $10 | 1 | $170 |
| 12 | $30 | $25 | 1.5 | $595 |
| 6 | $50 | $0 | 1.2 | $360 |
These examples show how complexity magnifies the final price. Clients appreciate transparency, so explain how you set your multiplier. If they request additional features after you start, adjust the quote accordingly.
A clear agreement on deliverables keeps expectations in check. Some artists include a certain number of revision rounds in the initial price, while others charge separately for changes. The calculator simply provides a base estimate. You can add extra fields or a final line item for revisions if your workflow demands it.
Beyond quoting a client directly, try experimenting with different rates or multipliers to see how they influence earnings. For instance, if you'd like to earn $500 for a complex illustration, plug in your estimated hours and materials, then adjust the multiplier until the price hits your goal. Conversely, if you want to keep the price under a specific budget, see how many hours you can reasonably dedicate to the project at your chosen rate.
Sustainable pricing goes hand in hand with good communication. Outline the project scope, payment terms, and delivery timeline up front. Some artists require a deposit, especially for larger commissions. Others prefer milestone payments. Use an invoicing tool or written agreement to record details. The more professional you appear, the easier it is for clients to understand and respect your rates.
When you establish reliable pricing habits, you gain more confidence. That confidence often translates into better relationships with clients and a steady stream of referrals. This calculator is a starting point—ultimately, your artistic voice and service quality will determine demand.
The Digital Art Commission Pricing Calculator simplifies an often complex conversation. With a straightforward formula that integrates time, materials, and complexity, you can offer transparent quotes. Feel free to customize the tool or integrate it with other planners on this site. It's designed for freelance artists, hobbyists dipping their toes into commissions, and studio professionals alike. By testing different inputs, you'll learn how small changes in your workflow impact revenue.
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