Art Licensing: A Lucrative Path for Designers Seeking Income from Their Artwork

Insights and Transparency from My Journey as a Surface Pattern Designer

Art licensing has been an incredible journey for me as a surface pattern designer, allowing me to turn my creative work into a viable source of income. It's a pathway that has captivated the hearts of artists and designers alike, offering the opportunity to rent our artwork to companies and brands, while reaping the long-term benefits of passive revenue. In this article, I'll be sharing my insights and experiences with art licensing to shed light on the potential income that can be derived solely from licensing artwork. Together, we'll explore the vast possibilities within this creative domain, inspiring artists to embrace their passion and transform their art into a thriving business venture. We'll discuss what art licensing is, how licensing builds over time, and playing the long game. You’ll get to know my personal story, but I hope you’ll also learn what’s possible for you. 

For many artists, the idea of making a living solely from their artwork can seem like a dream. In my case, my art licensing journey began in 2012. While I’ve continued to maintain my licensing income, in recent years I’ve also focused on my role as a creative educator, in part thanks to the doors licensing opened for me! Though I have not actively pursued licensing in recent years, I am currently working on a new portfolio for future pitches.

Understanding Art Licensing

Art licensing involves granting permission to companies to use an artist's work in specific industries for a predetermined duration and payment. Artists retain copyright ownership, and royalties are typically paid based on product sales. This business model offers artists the opportunity to generate ongoing revenue from their creations.

My Art Licensing Income 

The first year I started art licensing, I made around $12,000, and for me, that was an enormous amount. It felt like a dream come true, as if all of my aspirations had been realized. Those first few years, I accumulated about seven or eight different licenses—which, to be honest, isn't a vast number. However, fast forward from 2012 to 2015, and my income from art licensing alone reached around $90,000 per year. 

In 2016, I achieved a significant milestone by surpassing the six-figure mark. Since then, my income has remained consistently between $50,000 and $65,000 each year. It's important to note that these figures represent relatively minimal licenses, and I haven't actively pursued new licenses in a while. Nevertheless, earning $50,000 or $60,000 per year is truly remarkable.

Benefits of Art Licensing

One of the remarkable aspects of art licensing is its ability to generate income passively, even during periods when you might not be actively pursuing new licenses. Once a piece of artwork is licensed, it can continue to generate revenue for years to come. The potential for snowballing growth arises as artists can license the same artwork across multiple industries, exponentially increasing their earning potential.

The Flexibility and Appeal of Art Licensing

Art licensing offers artists the freedom to work on their terms, with the ability to scale their efforts based on availability and personal circumstances. While it requires hard work and dedication, art licensing provides the opportunity to create a flexible and rewarding career solely from design.

As you can imagine, art licensing can open the door to so much possibility, especially when you create with that in mind. In my next article, I’ll be exploring the roadmap I followed upon discovering my calling as a fabric designer.

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