Custom Illustration Process From Start to Finish
How do I get started?
Inky Mouse Studios takes great pride in making the custom illustration buying process easy for our clients from start to finish. We have listed here all the steps of the buying process so you know what to expect before you jump in. If you still have questions, you can always ask us, we would be more than happy to help you.
1. Contact us!
The entire process starts with you. When you contact us regarding your project we will reply to you within 24 hours of your request to gather as much information as we need to provide you the most accurate written estimate that we can. If your project is very specific or you have references or samples of what you are looking for, this is the time to have all of that information available.
2. Free written estimate
Upon review of the information you provide, we will submit a no commitment written estimate to you outlining the estimated cost of your project. Our estimates typically outline the basics of your project without getting too technical:
- Description of the illustration project.
- Estimated cost of the project, with various licensing options if requested.
- Timeline for the project.
- Graduated payment schedule.
Please note – every project is unique and requires special consideration when it comes to determining the price of the work. From the complexity of the image and the amount of research involved to the number of revisions and the extent of the image usage rights the client may need, there are many factors that go into determining the price of an illustration, this is why we don’t have a fixed price list for our images.
3. Contract and deposit
After your review and selection of the image licensing package you wish to purchase, a formal contract will be created outlining the specific details of your project. This contract will be submitted for your review and signature and a deposit invoice will be sent out to you. Once the signed contract and deposit payment has been received, your project will be underway.
4. Concepts and ideas
The concept and design phase is where your project starts to take shape visually. We take all the information you have provided to us and figure out the best visual translation into an illustration that suits your needs. The concept will be presented to you for review through a URL link to your own private online review page, and we welcome your comments and suggestions as this is the easiest and best time to make any changes that you may feel are necessary. Once the concept sketch has been approved, the final artwork will get underway.
5. Final image review
When the final image has been completed you will have the opportunity to review and approve it through a URL link to your own private online review page. Any corrections or edits can be submitted at this time. If there are no edits or corrections to be made, there is a selection for approval of the illustration.
6. Final payment
Once the final illustration has been reviewed and approved, you will receive an invoice for the final payment which will need to be paid in full before the final image files are delivered.
7. Delivery of finished illustration
Once the final image has been reviewed and approved, and the final payment has been received, completed image files are delivered to you electronically.