Learn the essentials and more from licensing artist Juliet Meeks' decade of experience with this comprehensive, detailed guide.
Get Your Art on Products with Art Licensing
With art licensing, you can see your art on fabric, wallpaper, accessories, apparel, packaging, home decor, kitchenware, dishes and paper party items, pet accessories, planners and stationery, greeting cards, bedding, wall art, holiday decor, and more. What else can you dream up?Â
You can make this happen without covering manufacturing costs. With licensing, the artist earns royalties - a percentage of sales - by "renting" original designs to other brands who then sell their products to retailers or directly to customers.
Here, you can see actual examples of my licensed artwork and product collaborations over the last decade.
The Art Licensing Guide will show you the ins and outs of licensing, including pitching your work, pricing, and contract details. Plus so much more! Keep reading to learn what's covered.
What's covered in the Guide:
Portfolios & Pitching
I'll share best practices for setting up your licensing portfolio, and then how to email pitch your work including pitch templates. I'll share my contacts researching tips and my email followup suggestions.
$$ Pricing as a Licensing Artist $$
I dive deep into detail on how to price your work for flat fees, as well as royalties and advances, with real examples. I share with you questions to ask potential clients before you negotiate.
Contracts, Agents, & More!
We'll define contract legal terms, including red flags, to help make sure you're getting the best deal possible. I go over client process tips so you know what to do next. We'll discuss art agent pros and cons, and industry trade shows.
Worksheets and Pitch Templates
Fill out the writing exercises to gain clarity on your goals, signature style, and more. Visit the Additional Resources section to continue your learning. Use the included email pitch templates to send your pitches.
Art licensing and this guide are for you if:
âď¸ You are a 2D visual artist (painter, digital artist, illustrator, more)
âď¸Â You want to see your art produced onto physical products and sold in retail stores
âď¸Â You understand that art licensing can be a long but fulfilling process (overnight success is not the norm!)
âď¸Â You feel exited to learn about the ins and outs of art licensing from an artist who is active in the industry
Let's do this! â
Artists are sharing why they loved it:
"Well worth the cost"
"Relevant information that helps to clarify the business side of art creation. It would have taken me months to research all the content and I still would have not uncovered everything that is included in this guide. Simple to follow and understand, beautifully designed, the information is a huge help. Well worth the cost." - Karen B.
"Straightforward"
"It was loaded with useful information plus more! While reading the guide, it's like I'm having a conversation with Juliet. It's so straightforward and not intimidating!" - Tiffani E.
"Made the road ahead doable"
"This guide was a godsend. For a beginner, it made the road ahead concrete and do-able. I was able to take a deep breath and just get started, instead of feeling overwhelmed. Thank you Juliet!" -Â Laura C.
"My go-to reference"
"This guide covers it all! It is a compendium of all the information and resources that an artist needs to license their art. It is my go-to reference every time I have a question about the next step in my licensing process, or Iâm looking for clarity regarding my choices." -Â RoseMary G.
So, what exactly is art licensing?
Here's the simplified version:
Step 1:Â You, the artist, make the artwork
Step 2:Â You share your artwork with product manufactures or brands, and/or they find you
Step 3:Â You and the manufacturer negotiate a contract, pricing, and product categories for your art
Step 4: The product is sold, usually in retail stores, or online, and you receive payment!
Let me break down every step for you in the Guide.
Your burning questions answered...
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Q: Is art licensing a viable income stream? What kind of income can I expect?
Art licensing, a part of brand licensing, is an industry with billions of dollars in market value, growing each year (source). There are so many opportunities in this industry, and there is plenty of room for new artists to join in on the fun.
You might be wondering: what kind of income can I expect? While it is certainly possible to earn six-figures from art licensing alone, in an average scenario a regularly licensing artist is probably earning in the range of $10-50k per year. I recognize that is a wide range, but it really depends on so many factors that it is impossible to tell you how much you would earn. Many full-time artists who license have at least one other income stream going.Â
What I can tell you from personal experience is that I earn every year nearly double my previous salary as a graphic designer in royalties alone! The majority of my income is from licensing, and IÂ am confident it will continue to grow.
Decide on what your personal goals are: it could be a certain income, or the excitement of seeing your art in a specific retailer; or seeing your art on a special product type. I share more about how to define your goals inside the Guide and my Licensing for Artists Course!
Q: What about AI? Will our artwork get replaced?
There is also a lot of concern from artists, especially those who are not yet licensing their work, that AI is replacing human-made artwork. I understand the fear, but I don't let it stop me from making and licensing my art.Â
Most of the licensees, i.e. manufacturers, I work with actually require that licensed art is original and not AI-generated. I've seen some licensing agencies state that they will not be working with AI-generated art. The current reality is, AI art is not the majority of art on products; visit your local retail stores and take a close look at what you see.
While there is some AI artwork in the marketplace, it was likely created by a human artist who used it as a tool (and then maybe even licensed it). And if they do make it through AI tools, it must be disclosed to the licensee. In my opinion, most AI artwork is still obvious as such.
I believe human-made artwork will prevail, because it's what other humans connect with on a deeper level. I am confident that the artwork that I and fellow artists bring to the industry will continue to be desired by licensees, because it sells the product! I believe customers will seek out products featuring art with original ideas, made by human artists who care.
My plan, and what I suggest to any hopeful licensing artists, is to make the process evident. Yes, even if you create digitally! Share your inspiration, the materials you use, the steps you take to get to the final piece. Show the humanness involved so that potential licensees, customers, and fans can see it, and appreciate it, too. I think we all need that connection now more than ever.
Best Value
$147
One-Time Payment
- 70+Â page PDF file
- Immediate download
- Includes any future updates
- Includes an exclusive discount to the Licensing for Artists Course (enrolling January 2026)
Payment Plan
$77
2 Monthly Payments totaling $154
- 70+Â page PDF file
- Immediate download
- Includes any future updates
- Includes an exclusive discount to the Licensing for Artists Course (enrolling January 2026)
"The content and detail you included was thoughtful, extremely generous and very helpful!"Â -Â Jan M.
Want a peek at the contents?
- Defining Licensing
- Tools & Materials
- Income Goals & Expectations
- Finding Your Art Style
- Branding & Your Portfolio
- Researching Licensees
- Pitching via Email
- Pricing
- Contract Terms
- The Client Process
- Agents & Trade Shows
- Additional Resources
Learn at Your Own Pace
If you prefer to learn at your own pace, this guide is just for you. Download it immediately, and read through on your own schedule.
Your Go-To Resource
Those who have purchased the guide have said they return back to it, even years later, when they need a refresher or guidance. Revisit the worksheets included when you need clarity!
Get Future Updates FREE
Any time I update the guide, you'll get FREE access to the new version. I'll send out updates to my newsletter when one is available.
Get an Exclusive Discount
Want to keep learning with me? Yay! All Guide Alum receive an exclusive discount to my Licensing for Artists Course. Keep an eye out for an email with details when enrollment opens.
FAQ:
How will this guide help me as a hopeful licensing artist?
How do I use the guide?
Do I have access to future updates?
Does my purchase include any Q&As or videos?
What is the difference between this Guide and your Licensing for Artists Course?
Does the Guide include a list of licensee companies?
Do you accept returns?
Can I share this file with anyone?
About Juliet
Hi! I'm Juliet, and I've been licensing my artwork since 2015. I've worked with brands like Anthropologie, Uncommon Goods, Birchbox, and more (over 60 licensees and counting!). My artwork is on products in stores like Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Staples, World Market, Home Goods, T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, and more.Â
I want to teach you how you can get YOUR artwork on products and in stores through art licensing.
As a self-taught artist who Googled my way through the beginning, I've learned a ton and made some mistakes, but I've also seen my own dreams come true. After years on my own, I recently partnered with an art agent and can share my experience from both sides.
Let's get started - I'll see you on the inside!
Juliet
My artwork has been licensed on products in these retailers:
More love from past students...
"I loved how candid you are in the guide about pieces that are really difficult to find elsewhere â namely sample pricing and how you reach out to potential clients. I already use the GAG Pricing and Ethical Guidelines book but it's extremely helpful to hear the thoughts of an actual artist who is doing this work. Thank you so much for creating this guide and for generously sharing your experience!"
"Very comprehensive; I haven't totally finished but have found everything very useful!" -Â Lynda A.
"Your Art Licensing Guide brought to my attention numerous things I hadn't even thought about to do for my own business. I also feel like I'm more well equipped to handle the building blocks of landing my dream client. " -Â Brooke B.
