Commission Guide: What to Expect

Commissioning artwork can feel intimidating if you have never done it before. How much detail do you need to give? When do you pay? What happens if you do not like the sketch? This guide answers those questions by walking through a commission with ILUZTAR from start to finish.

The process at a glance

1. Initial contact and free consultation
2. Quote: scope, timeline, and price confirmed in writing
3. Deposit: 50% to start the work
4. Sketch and approval
5. Production: lineart, color, and finishing, with progress updates
6. Final payment and delivery of high-resolution files

1. Initial contact and free consultation

Everything starts with a message through the contact page or WhatsApp. Tell us what you have in mind, even if it is only a rough idea. There is no obligation at this stage; the consultation is where we ask questions, suggest options, and make sure we understand what you actually need.

It helps to share what the artwork is for (a profile picture, a book cover, merchandise, a brand identity), any references you already have, and a deadline if there is one. If you are commissioning a character, our separate guide on writing a brief explains exactly which details make the biggest difference.

2. The quote

Once the scope is clear, we send a written quote. It confirms what will be delivered, the completion level, the number of revision rounds included, the estimated timeline, and the price. Pricing is estimate-based and depends on composition, completion level, background, and any add-ons, but the number you agree to is the number you pay. Nothing starts until you have confirmed it.

3. The deposit

To begin, we ask for a 50% deposit. It reserves your slot in the schedule and covers the early work. Bank transfer, GoPay, and OVO are all accepted, and international payment is available on request. The remaining 50% is due on delivery.

4. Sketch and approval

The first thing you will see is a rough sketch. It shows the pose, composition, expression, and the main shapes of the design. This is the most important moment of the commission for you to give feedback, because changes here are quick and free within the agreed revision rounds.

Take your time with this review. Look at the face, the pose, the outfit, any props, and the overall framing. It is far better to ask for an adjustment now than to discover a problem after rendering has begun.

Changes at the sketch stage take minutes. The same change after rendering can take hours.

Why we ask for approval early

5. Production

After the sketch is approved, we move on to lineart, base colors, shading, and final effects. For larger pieces we share progress along the way, so there are no surprises at the end. If you commission through a tracked project, you can also follow its progress through the unique link we provide.

6. Delivery

When the piece is finished and the remaining payment is settled, you receive the final files in full resolution. You will get whatever format your project actually needs:

• PNG with a transparent background, for use anywhere
• JPG for quick sharing
• PSD with layers, when you need to make edits later
• AI or PDF for vector and print work such as logos

Revisions

Every commission includes a set number of revision rounds, agreed in the quote. Adjustments at the sketch stage are included within that scope. Larger changes requested after final rendering has already begun may carry a small additional fee, since that stage takes considerably longer to redo. We will always tell you before any extra cost applies.

Timelines

The timeline depends on the complexity of the piece and the current queue. As a rough guide, a simple character illustration takes about 3 to 7 days, while full scenes or brand kits may take 1 to 3 weeks. The quote always includes an estimate, and if you have a hard deadline, mention it at the very start so we can tell you honestly whether it is realistic.

International clients

We take commissions from anywhere in the world. Communication is available in both Indonesian and English, and international payment can be arranged on request.

Usage and credit

How you may use the finished artwork, whether for personal use, commercial use, print, or something else, is defined in the quote. If you plan to print it on products or use it in advertising, mention it during the consultation so the right usage is included from the start.

Finished work may be shown in our portfolio and on social media. If the project is confidential, such as unreleased brand work or a private commission, just ask in writing before the project starts and we will keep it private.

Before you commit

If anything here is unclear, that is exactly what the free consultation is for. Ask anything first: how long it will take, what a sketch looks like, or which option fits your budget. A good commission starts with both sides knowing exactly what to expect.