Hi! I've never really done commissions before and I've been thinking of doing so for a while and I was just wondering what could be some tips you have and maybe what you use to take payment? I'm sorry if these are a bit random !!
𓆝 ⋆.(•˕ •マ.ᐟ
OKI here are some tips for handling commissions!
-The basics: have a commission sheet. Or a list—anything that clearly outlines what you offer and sell. Usually, people list everything they can work on and include examples. It is also VERY important to state what you are willing to draw and what you aren't, along with any "rules" or clarifications; believe me, situations can arise where you might end up at a disadvantage if you haven't clarified things beforehand.
Here is an example of my old commission sheet (I don't use it anymore because I switched to VGEN, where I just list the prices directly).
-Another recommendation is to check out the platform you plan to use. I used to handle everything directly via PayPal—communicating on Twitter and sending drawings via email—but there are intermediary platforms like VGEN or Ko-fi that offer benefits (NOTE: check the platform carefully, as every service charges a small percentage of the payment).
-Here’s a tip for when you actually start a commission: DO NOT deliver the drawing until it has been paid for in full or at least a percentage (like 50%) has been received; you never know what kind of situation might come up.
-ALWAYS use watermarks on work-in-progress images; for example, I use a low-opacity layer with my username repeated all over the image.
-Regarding your question about payment methods: I use PayPal. It’s the easiest to use since basically every platform supports it, and it’s the most well-known. HOWEVER, be careful, because PayPal can be VERY unfair to sellers. You might run into account issues if there’s suspicious activity, or if someone files a dispute—the client almost always wins. I got scammed that way once. I mention this because it’s likely the platform you’ll end up using, and it doesn't hurt to be aware of this. That’s another reason why looking into an intermediary platform is a good idea.
-Set prices that you feel are fair. Don't undervalue your work! This can be a tricky issue, especially when you're just starting out. You can look at pricing examples in other commission charts, but always remember to value your work fairly.
—To reiterate: be *very* specific about what you agree to draw and what your terms are. On VGEN, for example, you can set up terms and conditions where you specify prices for extra details, commercial use, estimated delivery dates, and so on. It’s a lot of information, but believe me—the more specific you are, the better it is for both you and the client.
Those are the tips that come to mind for now; I sincerely hope they help you 🫶
