Artist Invoice Template
An artist invoice bills piece, lists products, materials and fees on separate lines and states the terms (50% deposit, balance before shipping). This template is pre-filled for commissioned 30 x 40 in oil painting of a family home, framed, crated and shipped: 6 lines totalling $3,275.00 before tax. Edit it and download the PDF.
Pre-filled for an artist: commissioned 30 x 40 in oil painting of a family home, framed, crated and shipped. Example prices: replace them with your own.
From
Oak Lane Art
418 Market Street
Springfield, IL 62704
billing@example.com
(608) 555-0118
Invoice
Bill to
Alex Morgan
311 Pine Road
Salem, MA 01970
client@example.com
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commissioned oil painting, 30 x 40 inGallery-wrapped canvas, painted from client photos | 1 piece | $2,400.00 | $2,400.00 |
| Preliminary color sketch for approval | 1 each | $150.00 | $150.00 |
| Floater frame, custom size | 1 each | $320.00 | $320.00 |
| Archival varnish and hanging hardware | 1 each | $80.00 | $80.00 |
| Wooden crate for shipment | 1 each | $140.00 | $140.00 |
| Insured ground shippingDeclared value matches painting price | 1 each | $185.00 | $185.00 |
- Subtotal
- $3,275.00
- Balance due
- $3,275.00
Notes
Thank you for choosing Oak Lane Art. Terms: 50% deposit, balance before shipping.
Payment details
Bank transfer or card. Please quote the invoice number.
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Artist invoice at a glance
| Typical job | Commissioned 30 x 40 in oil painting of a family home, framed, crated and shipped |
|---|---|
| Main billing unit | piece |
| Usual payment terms | 50% deposit, balance before shipping |
| Deposit practice | Commissions usually require a non-refundable 50 percent deposit before the canvas is started. |
| Sample lines | 6 lines, $3,275.00 before tax |
| Largest line | Commissioned oil painting, 30 x 40 in: $2,400.00 (73%) |
| Trade-specific fields | Title of work, Medium and dimensions, Year completed, Delivery address |
Sample artist invoice line items
Commissioned 30 x 40 in oil painting of a family home, framed, crated and shipped: 6 lines adding up to $3,275.00, split into products $2,720.00 (83%), materials $220.00 (7%) and fees $185.00 (6%).
| Item | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commissioned oil painting, 30 x 40 in (Gallery-wrapped canvas, painted from client photos) | 1 piece | $2,400.00 | $2,400.00 |
| Preliminary color sketch for approval | 1 each | $150.00 | $150.00 |
| Floater frame, custom size | 1 each | $320.00 | $320.00 |
| Archival varnish and hanging hardware | 1 each | $80.00 | $80.00 |
| Wooden crate for shipment | 1 each | $140.00 | $140.00 |
| Insured ground shipping (Declared value matches painting price) | 1 each | $185.00 | $185.00 |
| Subtotal | $3,275.00 | ||
| Total before tax | $3,275.00 |
What an artist invoice should include
- Your art business name, address, phone and email, plus a tax ID if you are registered
- The customer's name and billing address (Alex Morgan in the sample)
- A unique invoice number (INV-2352) and the issue date
- Payment terms and a due date: 50% deposit, balance before shipping
- Title of work: for example See notes
- Medium and dimensions: for example See notes
- Year completed: for example See notes
- Delivery address: for example 311 Pine Road
- Line items in piece or per item, each with quantity, rate and amount
- How to pay you: bank details, card link or cheque payee
How artists bill
Fine artists sell finished pieces at a fixed price and quote commissions by size and medium, adding framing, crating and insured shipping.
Artists commonly use "50% deposit, balance before shipping". Commissions usually require a non-refundable 50 percent deposit before the canvas is started.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024: median hourly wage of Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators $29.12 (employees, not contractor rates).
Artist invoicing tips
- Describe the work as a gallery label would, with title, medium, dimensions and year, so the invoice doubles as provenance the buyer keeps with the piece.
- Collect sales tax on the artwork when your state taxes art sales, and keep framing, crating and shipping on separate lines because states treat them differently; check your state's rules.
- Add a note that reproduction rights stay with the artist; buyers of an original painting sometimes assume they can print it on cards or merchandise.
- For commissions, write how many rounds of changes the deposit covers and that it becomes non-refundable once the approved sketch is on canvas.
Artist billing disputes to head off
- A buyer unhappy with a finished commission may refuse the balance; the invoice and the approved sketch line show the painting followed what was signed off.
- Damage in transit is an expensive argument, and an insured shipping line with the declared value proves who arranged coverage.
Work an artist can bill for
Core tasks of Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators (O*NET 27-1013.00, O*NET 29.x task statements, CC BY 4.0). Each can become a line on the invoice.
- Use materials such as pens and ink, watercolors, charcoal, oil, or computer software to create artwork.
- Integrate and develop visual elements, such as line, space, mass, color, and perspective, to produce desired effects, such as the illustration of ideas, emotions, or moods.
- Confer with clients, editors, writers, art directors, and other interested parties regarding the nature and content of artwork to be produced.
- Maintain portfolios of artistic work to demonstrate styles, interests, and abilities.
- Monitor events, trends, and other circumstances, research specific subject areas, attend art exhibitions, and read art publications to develop ideas and keep current on art world activities.
- Study different techniques to learn how to apply them to artistic endeavors.
How to make an artist invoice
-
Add both parties
Enter Oak Lane Art (your business) and the customer, Alex Morgan, then title of work.
-
Number and terms
Give it a unique number such as INV-2352 and set the terms to 50% deposit, balance before shipping.
-
List the work
One line per item: the sample runs from "Commissioned oil painting, 30 x 40 in" (1 piece) to "Insured ground shipping" (1 each).
-
Check the total
The 6 lines come to $3,275.00; add sales tax only if your state taxes artwork.
-
Download and send
Download the PDF or print it, then keep a copy with the artwork records.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make an artist invoice?
Add your art business details, the customer, title of work, medium and dimensions, year completed and delivery address, then one line per item with quantity and rate. The template above is pre-filled with 6 lines for commissioned 30 x 40 in oil painting of a family home, framed, crated and shipped totalling $3,275.00; change the prices and download the PDF.
How do artists charge?
Mostly piece. Fine artists sell finished pieces at a fixed price and quote commissions by size and medium, adding framing, crating and insured shipping.
When should an artist invoice be paid?
50% deposit, balance before shipping is the usual arrangement. Commissions usually require a non-refundable 50 percent deposit before the canvas is started. Put the terms and the due date on the invoice so there is no doubt.
How much do artists earn per hour?
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024: median hourly wage of Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators $29.12 (employees, not contractor rates). Self-employed rates are usually higher because they cover overhead and unbilled time.