Advice on Commissions and TOS

[kellserskr.livejournal.com]

Hi everyone! This is my first time posting here so I hope my post follows all of the rules, and I hope I can post this.

I love this website and I admire how everyone deals with situations here and it shows valuable lessons on the art business. I recently decided I would love to open commissions myself as an extra hobby, to share my art with those who would like it. My only issue is, because of all of the things I have read here, I would love to write a proper Commission Info page and TOS to cover me, but I don't really know where to start. I know the general info to add, but I don't really know how specific to go so I'm covered. I see so many different issues here and I was wondering what the most common are, so I can use these?

Any more information about starting this would be happily received! Thank you in advance :)

Kellie x

Comments

[ramthedragon.livejournal.com]

Welcome to the wonderful world of commission work :D

As far as ToS making goes, there are a few awesome threads here, with reviews, critiques and suggestions http://artists-beware.livejournal.com/893576.html You should definitely have a look.

I personally think these things should absolutely be on your ToS:
- The right to decline a commission
- The right to cancel a commission (with full refund of course)
- The things you will and will not draw
- Edit policy (how many times you can edit a picture for free, etc)
- Refund policy (very important! You cannot simply state you won't refund)
- Payment methods (never ask for paypal fees paid or money sent as friends and family)
- Abandonment clause
- Art rights and reposting rights

These are the basic set of rules you and your commissioners will work with, and it's good to have them clear from the start.

Also try to write a short enough ToS, from an objective point of view and with polite language. It does go a long way to make you seem professional.

If I'm forgetting something I am certain someone else will point it out, but this to me is the most important stuff.

Good luck! :3

Thank you!

[kellserskr.livejournal.com]

Oh my goodness you have no idea how helpful and kind that is! This must have taken you a while to type out, honestly it's so helpful! Thank you very much! I can't wait to start now! :)

Definitely much appreciated!

[teekchan.livejournal.com]

First thingd first; open commissions myself as an extra hobby'.

Once you exchange money or goods its no longer a hobby, it's business.
Its best to always take at least half payment up front, and you can always check the tags here to make sure a buyer doesnt have a bad rep. You can turn people for any reason.

You can browse other peoples terms for ideas on what to add as well.

[kellserskr.livejournal.com]

Oh of course, I had no intention of running it as a hobby as such, I just meant I wasn't having this be my sole source of income, but I do intend on treating any commission as a business!

Thank you :)

[celestinaketzia.livejournal.com]

Ramthedragon has pretty much got it covered but I do want to add:

1. Be sure to list what you will and will not do.
2. When can a client cancel a commission, and how much of a refund do they get. (When the client cancels you usually keep for work not done.)

[kellserskr.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I have written out some notes from many different artists, on points I feel definitely should be mentioned, and I should be writing mine out tonight!

Would it be ok if I added a link to it in the comments if anyone wanted to read and critique?
:)