So Someone Wants to License Your Art... Now What?

A Guide to Not Underselling Your Creative Genius

Picture this: You're sipping your morning coffee, scrolling through emails, when suddenly—ding—there it is. An email from a company interested in licensing your pattern designs.

Your heart does a little leap. Your brain short-circuits. And your fingers are itching to type back "YES! Absolutely! When do we start?!" faster than you can say "surface pattern designer."

Hold up, my friend.

Before you hit send on that overly enthusiastic reply (we've all been there), let's talk about what comes after that beautiful, much-awaited licensing inquiry lands in your inbox.

First Things First: Celebrate That Win!

Seriously, do a little happy dance Share it with someone who gets it 

Heck, treat yourself to that fancy, calorie-loaded coffee with extra whipped cream 

This isn't just about indulging in a celebratory moment (though you absolutely deserve it). It's about giving yourself breathing room before you respond. Because here's the thing: when excitement takes the wheel, logic often ends up in the backseat eating dusty pretzels.

It's incredibly tempting to immediately reply with something like, "OMG! YESS! That'll be $500. When do you wanna start?"

But before you go blurting out the first number that pops into your head like you're announcing bingo numbers at your kids’ school fund raiser, take a deep breath.

Your Art Isn't a Bag of Chips (Even Though Both Are Pretty Great)

Let's get real for a second.

Selling your art isn't like selling a bag of chips at the corner store. It's more like... selling a part of your soul. (Okay, I'm being a touch dramatic here to drive a point home, but stay with me!)

When someone asks about licensing your art, they're not just buying a pretty picture to slap on a product. They're buying your creativity, your unique style, your artistic voice that took years to develop, and let's face it—a little piece of your artistic genius.

So please, for the love of perfectly aligned repeats, don't sell yourself short.

Be a Detective

Instead of immediately throwing out a price like you're a contestant on a game show, start a conversation. Channel your inner detective.

Here are some questions you absolutely must ask before even thinking about discussing numbers:

"Are You Looking for Exclusive or Non-Exclusive Use?"

This question is huge, and here's why:

Exclusive rights = higher price tag (because once you sell it exclusively, that design is off the market for everyone else during the licensing period)

Non-exclusive = lower individual fee, but you can license the same design to multiple clients (hello, passive income potential!)

Think of it like this: exclusive licensing is like being in a committed relationship with that design—you're promising it won't see anyone else. Non-exclusive is more like... your design is allowed to date around. Both are valid, but they come with very different price points.

"How Long Do You Want to Use This Art?"

Time to get vulnerable here: I've made the rookie mistake of selling my art for a three-year term at the cost of barely one year. Ouch. Learn from my facepalm moment, friends.

The length of the licensing agreement directly impacts your pricing. A six-month seasonal license? That's one thing. A five-year exclusive deal? That's a whole different ballgame (and should come with a significantly different price tag).

If you're working through the business side of your creative practice and want guidance on structuring these conversations, my Master the ABCs of Your Art Biz (free!) will help you define your value proposition and communicate it clearly.

"What Kind of Products Are You Planning to Use It On?"

Here's where things get interesting.

If they want to use your design on greeting cards sold in small boutiques, that's one thing. If they want it on bedding sold at major retailers nationwide, that's an entirely different universe of usage (and cha-ching potential).

The more products they plan to use your design on, and the broader their distribution, the more you should charge. Period. Full stop. End of story.

Once They Spill the Beans, Then You Can Talk Money

After you've asked your detective questions and gathered all the intel, now you're ready to discuss pricing.

But here's the golden rule that'll save you from so much heartache down the road:

Never, ever give a price without explaining what they're getting. 

Break it down for them like you're explaining color theory to a curious five-year-old (but, you know, with more professional polish and fewer crayon metaphors).

Here's a simple structure:

"Based on what you've shared, here's what I'm proposing:

•  License type: [Exclusive/Non-exclusive]
•  Term length: [Duration]
•  Usage: [Specific products and distribution channels]
•  Price: $X,XXX

This includes [list what's included, like file formats, color variations, revisions, etc.]"

See how that works? You're not just throwing out a number and hoping it sticks. You're presenting a professional package that demonstrates the value you're providing.

If you're still working on mastering the technical side of creating licensing-ready patterns, the Procreate Pattern Collection Masterclass teaches you exactly how to design professional surface pattern collections, including how to prep files for licensing opportunities. (Because nothing says "professional" like delivering pristine, print-ready files that don't require a tech support hotline.)

You're Not Just Selling Art—You're Selling a Whole Package of Awesomeness

Remember this mantra, write it on a sticky note, tattoo it on your arm (okay, maybe not that last one):

You're not just selling a design. You're selling:

• Your unique artistic style that took years to develop
• Your professional expertise in creating commercial-ready patterns
• Your brand recognition (if you've built an audience)
• Your artistic vision that brings their products to life
• The hours of skill-building, practice, and creative development that went into this moment

Make sure they understand the complete package they're getting. Your patterns aren't just pretty pictures—they're strategic design solutions that will help their products stand out in a crowded market.

Pro Tips for Licensing Newbies (We've All Been There!)

If you're just starting out in the licensing game, here's some real talk:

It's okay to start small. Not every first licensing deal is going to be a five-figure contract with a major retailer. And that's completely fine! Every licensing deal is a learning experience and a portfolio piece.

Always, always know what you're agreeing to. Read the contract carefully. If you don't understand something, ask questions or seek advice from someone who's been there (hello, creative business communities!).

Don't be afraid to buy yourself time. Saying "Let me review the details and get back to you within 24-48 hours" isn't being difficult—it's being professional. You wouldn't buy a car without thinking it over, so why would you license your creative work without doing the same?

Keep learning about the business side. The more you understand licensing agreements, industry standards, and pricing structures, the more confident you'll feel in these negotiations. My free Weekly Eduletter: 3,2,1...Let's Design includes regular tips on the business side of surface pattern design, so you're never navigating these waters alone.

The Bottom Line

When that licensing inquiry email arrives, it's absolutely worth celebrating. It means someone sees value in your work and wants to partner with you. That's huge.

But between the celebration champagne and the contract signature, there's an important conversation to be had. One where you gather information, understand the scope, communicate your value clearly, and ensure you're being compensated fairly for your creative genius.

You've put in the hours, developed your skills (maybe even with tools like the Photoshop Patterns Unleashed course to level up your technical game), and created something unique and valuable.

Don't undersell that.

Ask the questions. Have the conversation. Take your time. And when you finally agree on terms that honor your work and meet their needs?

That's when you do the really big happy dance.

Now go forth and license like the professional pattern design boss you are! 🎨✨