How to Get Paid for Commissions (2026 Guide)
Commission work is where a lot of artists and designers get burned — unclear pricing, endless free revisions, and clients who vanish before paying. Getting paid reliably comes down to clear terms and taking money upfront. Here's a simple system for pricing, collecting, and protecting your commission work.
Quick answer
To get paid for commissions, set clear terms and pricing, take a deposit upfront before you start, then collect the balance on delivery. A OneSol intake form plus payment link (onesol.io) lets you gather the client's brief and a deposit in one step and send a payment request for the final balance — all paid straight to your own Stripe account with no platform cut.
1. Set clear terms and pricing
Publish your commission tiers, what each includes, your turnaround time, and how many revisions are covered before extra charges apply. Spelling out scope upfront prevents the endless "can you just change one more thing" spiral. Put these terms where clients see them before they commit, so agreement is built into the booking.
2. Take a brief and a deposit upfront
Use an intake form to collect the client's references, details, and contact info so you're not chasing specs over DMs. Require a deposit — commonly 30–50%, or full payment upfront for smaller pieces — before any work begins. A OneSol form can capture the brief and the deposit in a single step, filtering out non-serious clients instantly.
3. Deliver and collect the balance
Share a watermarked or low-resolution preview for approval, then send a payment request for the remaining balance before releasing the final files. Only hand over the full-resolution, unwatermarked work once the balance is paid. Paying to your own Stripe means the money is yours immediately, with no marketplace commission.
4. Protect yourself and your work
State usage rights clearly — personal vs. commercial use often warrant different prices — and keep them in writing. Define your cancellation and refund policy (for example, the deposit is non-refundable once work starts) so a client backing out doesn't cost you your time. Keeping records of each agreement and payment protects you if a dispute ever comes up.
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FAQ
Should I ask for payment before or after doing a commission?
Take a deposit before you start and the balance before delivering final files. For small pieces or new clients, full payment upfront is completely reasonable and common.
How big should the deposit be?
30–50% upfront is standard and covers your time if a client backs out. Make it non-refundable once work begins, and state that clearly in your terms.
How do I handle a client who keeps requesting changes?
Include a set number of revisions in your price and charge for extras beyond that. Because the limit is in your published terms, additional requests become a paid add-on rather than an argument.
What payment methods should I accept for commissions?
Card payments through a link are the most professional and trackable, and connecting your own Stripe means funds go straight to you. Avoid untraceable methods, and always send a receipt for your records.
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