Licensing vs. Product Production
In today's post, I’d like to dive into the differences between Licensing and Product Production, two great avenues for illustrators to earn income with their art.
While Product Production may seem straightforward, Licensing might be a bit unclear, so let’s start with some definitions.
Licensing:
When a client hires you for a commissioned illustration, they purchase a license, not the work itself. This means they pay for what they need without buying it outright. This is also known as the licensing model.
But what exactly is a licensing model?
When you create an illustration, regardless of whether it was commissioned, you own the rights to that image, and you have control over its reproduction. If you want to give someone else the right to reproduce it in a specific way, for a fixed amount of time, then you are selling a license for that artwork.
A license can be 'exclusive' or non-exclusive, determining whether or not anyone else can use that image while the licensing period lasts.
The fee for a license depends on how the image will be used. Licensing opens doors to partnerships with brands or businesses, expanding your reach and potentially increasing your income.
The beauty of licensing lies in its scalability. Your art can potentially reach a larger audience without the direct hands-on involvement required in product production.
Product Production:
On the flip side, we have Product Production, where your art becomes more than just an image on a screen—it becomes a physical, tangible entity ready for direct sale.
There are multiple ways you can see your art in the form of products: stickers, art prints, mugs, T-shirts, tote bags, button pins, and many, many more.
From design conception to the final product, every step is under your artistic guidance.
Product production demands hands-on involvement in manufacturing, inventory management, and logistics. It's a more intricate process, requiring meticulous attention to detail.
As an illustrator, the world is your canvas, and the possibilities are boundless. The choice between licensing and product production depends on your goals, preferences, and the nature of your creative work. And of course, there’s no harm in choosing both these options at the same time.
What's your favorite way to bring illustrations to life? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below, and let me know if you have any other questions about this topic so maybe I can talk about that in a future post.
Talk soon!
Ilaria