Most of my work is created digitially right off the bat. BUT! I love working with analog mediums including watercolor, fineliner, and more. Sometimes my analog creations are converted to vectors and sometimes they're simply scanned and used as .png elements. The possibilities are endless, so let me know if analog is your vibe!
Most of my surface patterns are vectorized and will be sent as .AI files as well as JPG if requested. Illustrations are mostly raster images and will be sent as high res JPG or PDFs .
What type of files do you provide?
The only changes that may be made to surface pattern designs are color and scale. Illustrations and raster designs are sent as-is.
Are designs sent as-is or can I request changes?
Absolutely! If you have a strict budget to stick to, be sure to let me know in the contact form. I'm happy to adjust terms of the license in order to meet your budget.
Is it possible to adjust the license in order to meet my budget?
Will anyone else use the same designs?
If you opt for a non-exclusive license it's definitely possible. Depending on the terms of your exclusive license the design may be licensed elsewhere, but it would not be in the same territory and/or industry. For a fully exclusive license then definitely no, it wouldn't be licensed anywhere else as long as your license is valid.
Will you still sell the designs in your shop or on Spoonflower, etc. even after it's been licensed?
If it's been licensed non-exclusively, then it'll remain in my shop as well as on print on demand websites. Depending on the terms of your exclusive license the design may be available, but it would not be in the same territory and/or industry. For a fully exclusive license then definitely no, it wouldn't be sold anywhere else as long as your license is valid.
I don't need anything from your current portfolio, but I would like to commission a custom design. Do you offer this?
Yes, I sure do! From custom illustrations to surface designs, I got you. Send me a note and let's chat!
Send me a note and ask away!
Have a question that wasn't answered here?
Questions you might have
From the Graphic Artists Guild Handbook, "Artists license the right to reproduce their work on a specific product, in a certain territory, for a specified period of time." Think of it as an artwork rental library, of sorts.
With licensing, the artist retains the ownership + copyright to their work and may continue to license, or rent, the artwork to other licensees.
There are a variety of terms that make up a licensing agreement and fee, which you can learn more about below.
What is licensing?
The Tea on Art Licensing
(In case you wanna know)
A flat fee rate for licensing a design is calculated based on all of the criteria mentioned above: usage, territory, industry, exclusivity, etc.
Typically a flat fee will be higher than an advance against royalties because there's no possibility to earn more with more units sold (depending on the license).
Flat Fee
Licensing Fees
A royalty is a fee paid to the licensor every time their design is sold on a product. Royalties are often a percentage of the retail price per unit (or yardage, as with fabric). Royalties are typically paid out quarterly.
It's common for licensees to pay an advance against royalties, or a flat rate to begin using the design. Only when the royalties earned exceed the amount of the advance will the royalty payments be made to the artist. When no advance is offered, it's typical for the royalty rate to be higher.
Royalty rates vary across industries and can always be negotiated.
Royalties
A full buyout is when a brand decides they want the whole shebang - including copyright.
Buyouts are not done quite as often, but there are times when a brand wants full rights to a piece of artwork without dealing with the restrictions of a licensing agreement. This means I officially sign over my rights to the artwork and the brand is able to do whatever they like with it... forever.
Many artists (including myself) stipulate that we would like to include an image of the artwork and/or final product in our portfolios as an example of our work, but outside of this use we are unable to use the finished artwork.
A full buyout is very expensive as the artist must make up for all potential lost income from renewing a licensing agreement for additional usage. If a brand wishes to use a piece of artwork across multiple products without any limitations on time or territory, a full buyout may end up being the right move for them.
Full Buyout
Designs are licensed for specific industries or categories in which the license will apply. Examples include fabric, apparel, home decor, etc.
Category is one aspect of a license, so depending on the exclusivity of your license, I may simultaneously license the same artwork in the same category in a different territory, OR in the same territory but a different category. This prevents any overlap in a licensee's sales while keeping the cost of the license down.
Industry
Licensing Terms + Usage
Part of every license includes reference to the territory, or geographical location, in which the license will apply.
You may choose to license in one or more countries or opt for a worldwide license. Larger territories cost more than smaller territories (i.e. all of North America vs only the US).
Territory is one aspect of a license, so depending on the exclusivity of your license, I may simultaneously license the same artwork in the same category in a different territory, OR in the same territory but a different category. This prevents any overlap in a licensee's sales while keeping the cost of the license down.
Territory
Every license has a set length of time for which the license will apply.
Most licenses are set in years, with two years being a common length of time. Longer periods result in a higher licensing fee.
When the length of time set has passed, it's up to the licensee to seek a renewal, otherwise the agreement is considered to be ended and the design may no longer be used by the licensee unless a new license is entered.
Duration
Some licenses may refer to units, as in maximum allowable number of units to be produced.
This prevents licensees from using the artwork on a larger production scale than initially agreed upon.
When the maximum number of units products has been reached, it's up to the licensee to seek a renewal, otherwise the agreement is considered to be ended and the design may no longer be used by the licensee unless a new license is entered.
Units
A non-exclusive license means that I've allowed you to use my artwork in one category for a period of time and I can also give permission to others to use it, even in the same industry.
Example: You've licensed one design in the category of phone cases in the United States for two years. I may simultaneously license the same design to a competitor in the same industry.
Non-Exclusive
You're permitted to use the artwork in one category for a set period of time.
I retain the copyright + ownership of the design, so you may not use the artwork outside of the licensing agreement terms.
I'll continue to license the artwork across all categories as well as use it in my shop, on print-on-demand sites, and my portfolio.
Exclusivity of Licenses
In short, an exclusive art license is when one or more of the licensing terms dictate that the design is exclusive to one licensee. You may be the only licensee using the design in your chosen territory and/or industry for a set period of time or in perpetuity.
Terms of exclusive licenses are often negotiated based on the licensees needs and/or budget.
This type of license often comes with higher value because the licensee has the assurance that no one else will be using the art in the same context.
Exclusive
You're the only company using the artwork in one or more category for a set period of time.
I retain the copyright + ownership of the design, so you may not use the artwork outside of the licensing terms.
Depending on the level of exclusivity, the design may only be used in my portfolio or may be licensed, but only outside of your terms.
Access the Full Licensing Portfolio
Get access to patterns and artwork being kept under wraps to the public here!
This is just a taste of what I have to offer. Thirsty for more?
ok, I'm intrigued. tell me more!
That said, my bright-eyed dreams of being a California girl inspire my art from every angle. As a professional photographer I can't bring palm trees and warm sunsets to Virginia in January, but I can let those things play a role in my artwork.
I tend to favor a mix of pastel and bright colors reminiscent of southern California and the 1960s, wildflowers that might have been found in a hippie's flower crown, and lettering that has a little bit of fun to keep it whimsical.
In my head, I'm a coastal girl with salty hair and sun-kissed skin. In reality, I live hours from the ocean and I'm pretty damn pale.
Hi, I'm Alicia.
