How much does a custom illustration cost in Canada?
An illustration for your wall and the same illustration on a book cover are two different purchases. The drawing is the same, but the licence is not, and it shapes the price.
Rights, from small to big
| What you get | Price effect |
|---|---|
| Personal use only | The base price |
| Business use, not exclusive, set term | Base plus 50% or so |
| Merchandise, ads or packaging | 2 to 3 times the base |
| Exclusive, or copyright transferred | At least 20% more, often much more |
Example: a $300 podcast cover for personal use becomes about $450 once it is licensed for your show’s branding.
Typical fees for common jobs
| Job | Range |
|---|---|
| Character, personal use | $50 to $500 |
| Editorial or spot piece | $200 to $1,000 |
| Book or album cover | $600 to $2,500 |
| Picture book, whole project | $3,000 to $12,000 |
Business jobs usually include a licence already; ask what it covers.
Questions to ask about the licence
Ask where the work can appear, for how long, whether others may use it too, and who owns the original file. Get the answers in writing, and ask the price of widening the licence later.
Typical ranges to help you plan, not quotes: every artist sets their own price. Posting a call is free. Seeing who replied: $29; no commission.