Artwork Commission Agreement
An artwork commission agreement is a contract in which a client orders a custom creative work from an artist, detailing specifications, milestones, payment, and ownership of the final piece and reproduction rights. Use this when a collector, publisher, or brand hires an artist to create an original illustration, painting, or digital piece to spec. It covers reference materials, revision rounds, and whether the buyer receives reproduction rights.
What's included
A ready-to-use artwork commission agreement covering description of artwork, medium, dimensions, and references, concept/sketch approval and revision limits, deposit, progress payments, and final balance, with signature fields already placed for Artist and Commissioner. Fill in the bracketed details (like [Company Name] or [Date]) using Docracy's built-in text editor, then send it out for signature.
This is a general template for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney to review it for your specific situation and jurisdiction before use.
Key clauses
- Description of artwork, medium, dimensions, and references
- Concept/sketch approval and revision limits
- Deposit, progress payments, and final balance
- Delivery timeline and shipping or digital transfer
- Copyright and reproduction rights allocation
- Cancellation refunds and kill fees
What you'll fill in
[Artist Name][Commissioner Name][Artwork Description][Dimensions/Medium][Total Commission Fee][Delivery Date][Revision Rounds Included]Legal summary
The artist commits to creating the described work; the commissioner pays on the agreed schedule and receives ownership or license as specified. Until final payment, the artist typically retains the work and may withhold delivery.
Free for up to 2 signers, no account required. Need unlimited? Flat $10/month.
FAQ
Is this Artwork Commission Agreement legally binding?
Signing through Docracy uses a simple electronic signature (SES), which is legally recognized for everyday business agreements under laws like the U.S. ESIGN Act and the EU's eIDAS regulation. This is a general template, not legal advice — for high-stakes or regulated agreements, have a qualified attorney review it for your situation.
Who needs to sign this Artwork Commission Agreement?
This template includes signature fields for Artist and Commissioner — already placed — plus 7 placeholder fields to fill in before you send it.
Can I edit this Artwork Commission Agreement before sending it?
Yes — Docracy's editor lets you edit the text, add or remove signature fields, redact sections, and reorder pages before you send it.
Do I need an account to send this Artwork Commission Agreement?
No — it's free for up to 2 signers with no account required. Create a free account only if you want to save it to a dashboard or reuse it later.
Try it with an AI assistant
Paste one of these into ChatGPT, Claude, or your assistant of choice:
“Generate an Artwork Commission Agreement for a book cover illustration with two revision rounds.”
“Explain who owns commercial reproduction rights if the commissioner plans to sell prints.”
“Adapt payment terms for 50% deposit and 50% on final PNG delivery.”
Why teams start with Docracy
“Docracy is a great product that I have tested and am using. It is easy to use, has good tools, is always up to date, and implements new features. Highly recommended.”— DACH Advisory
Free for up to 2 signers, no account required. Need unlimited? Flat $10/month.