Underpricing kills careers slowly. You stay busy but never get ahead. You resent clients who actually love your work. Eventually you burn out and blame art. The real culprit was always the pricing. Here is how to fix it.
How to calculate your minimum viable rate
Start with what you need to earn per month to cover your expenses and pay yourself. Add 30% for taxes, software, and equipment. Divide by the number of commissions you can realistically produce in that time. That is your floor — the number below which you cannot afford to take a project.
Most artists skip this calculation entirely and price based on what "feels reasonable" or what they see other artists charging. Neither approach connects your prices to your actual costs. If your floor is $200 per piece and you are charging $80, the business model does not work — no matter how many commissions you book.
What factors should determine your commission prices?
Once you have a floor, the following factors determine how far above it you price:
- Time to complete: Track every commission for one month. Most artists are shocked how long pieces actually take.
- Complexity: Full-body vs. bust, full color vs. sketch, one character vs. multiple characters.
- Commercial rights: A commission used for personal use is worth less than one used commercially. Charge accordingly.
- Revision rounds: Unlimited revisions is a pricing mistake. Specify how many rounds are included.
- Your experience level: As your skill and reputation grow, so should your rates.
Creating a clear tier structure
Clients make faster decisions when they have options. A three-tier structure — sketch, flat color, full render — lets clients choose based on budget without requiring you to negotiate case-by-case. Each tier should have a clear description of what is included.
List your prices publicly. Hidden pricing creates friction and attracts clients who are trying to negotiate you down. Artists who publish their rates tend to get better inquiries — clients who reach out already know what they are signing up for.
How to raise your rates without losing clients
If you are booked out more than four to six weeks in advance consistently, your prices are too low. Demand exceeds supply — the market is telling you to charge more.
Give existing clients notice: "As of [date], my rates will increase. If you would like to book at my current rates, here is how to do so." Most loyal clients will book ahead. Some will fall off — and you will replace them with clients paying your new rate. This is not a loss. It is how a sustainable business works.
Communicating value so clients understand what they are paying for
Clients do not intuitively understand how long art takes. Help them. Explain your process briefly — the sketching phase, revisions, rendering — so they understand what the price covers. Artists who share their process in progress posts and work-in-progress (WIP) updates rarely get pushback on pricing because clients can see the work.
Pair good pricing with a professional commission process to reinforce client confidence. See how in our guide on running commissions professionally from inquiry to delivery.
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