How much does an illustration commission cost? In Taiwan, a single commissioned illustration typically runs from about NT$2,000 to NT$15,000 (roughly US$65–500), and a full character design with turnaround sheets from about NT$8,000 to NT$25,000 (US$265–835), depending on detail, size and, above all, how the client is allowed to use the image. If you are an illustrator taking your first commission, the hard part is rarely the drawing. It is how to quote, how to run the job, and how to state the rules — quote too low and you resent the work, too high and you scare the client off; skip the revision count and deposit, and the job starts to drag halfway through. This guide gives you a clear workflow and real price references so commissions become professional, transparent and safe for both sides.
One-minute summary
- A quote sells "time × skill × usage rights", not just one picture.
- Run every commission through six steps: inquiry → quote → deposit → sketch → final → delivery.
- Ask for a 30–50% deposit, and state the number of revisions and the deliverable files in writing. This removes most disputes.
- Commercial usage is always priced separately.
Illustration commission price ranges in Taiwan (2026)
These ranges come from the public rate pages of Taiwan's freelance marketplaces, checked on 9 September 2026. USD figures are approximate conversions (about NT$30 = US$1, rounded) for orientation only — set your own numbers.
| Type of commission | Typical range (TWD) | Approx. USD | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social-media spot illustration (simple) | NT$1,500–4,000 per piece | US$50–135 | Tasker |
| Chibi / Q-version character | NT$1,500–3,000 | US$50–100 | PRO360 |
| Hand-drawn portrait / likeness | NT$1,000–4,000 | US$35–135 | PRO360 |
| Single illustration, simple style | NT$2,000–6,000 per piece | US$65–200 | Tasker |
| Single illustration, detailed style | NT$6,000–15,000 per piece | US$200–500 | Tasker |
| Book cover illustration | NT$5,000–20,000 | US$165–665 | Tasker |
| Commercial illustration (ads, packaging) | NT$5,000–30,000 | US$165–1,000 | Tasker |
| Character design with turnaround sheet | NT$8,000–25,000 | US$265–835 | Tasker |
| Picture-book illustration | NT$3,000–8,000 per page | US$100–265 | Tasker |
| Full copyright buyout | usually 2–3× the licence fee | — | Tasker |
Sources: Tasker, "How much does illustration design cost? 2026 rates" (tasker.com.tw/price/illustration); PRO360, "2026 illustration quotes from NT$800" (pro360.com.tw/price/illustrator, page last updated 2023-08-25) and "2026 character design quotes" (pro360.com.tw/price/role_design, last updated 2025-06-20).
Two things stand out. First, detail level roughly doubles the price at each tier. Second, the same image can cost several times more when it is bought out for commercial use — which brings us to what you are actually selling.
Before you quote, know what you are selling
Many beginners think of a quote as "how much for one picture". What the client is really buying is three things:
- Your time — how long the composition, sketch, colouring and revisions will take.
- Your skill — style, level of finish, and your ability to solve their visual problem.
- Usage rights — is it a personal keepsake, or will it go on merchandise, a storefront, or an advertising campaign?
Usage rights are the most overlooked item and the one that moves the price most. For the same illustration, the gap between personal use and a full commercial buyout can be several times over.
The commission workflow: six clear steps
- Inquiry — purpose, style references, dimensions, budget range, and the hoped-for deadline.
- Quote and schedule — reply with the price, your earliest start date, the delivery date, and your terms.
- Deposit — once confirmed, collect a 30–50% deposit and book the slot.
- Sketch approval — send a composition sketch first and agree on the direction before adding detail (this avoids big changes after the final).
- Final rendering — finish the details and provide the agreed number of revisions.
- Balance and delivery — after approval, collect the balance and deliver the high-resolution files.
Put these six steps on your commission page. Clients can see at a glance how to work with you, and your close rate goes up.
How to set your price: three common models
| Model | Best for | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed price | A clearly defined single piece (e.g. a half-body character) | One price based on finish level and usage rights |
| Tiered pricing | Several service types (sketch / half-body / full-body / design sheet) | List each tier with a price range |
| Quote on request | Commercial use, volume work, long-term collaboration | Estimate per project scope and rights |
A pricing tip for beginners: estimate how many hours the piece will take, multiply by the hourly rate you want, then add a premium for the usage rights. Pin down your "personal use" price first and mark commercial use as "on request" — that keeps room to negotiate.
Write the rules into the quote: deposit, revisions, deliverables
- Deposit: 30–50% is standard. No deposit, no slot, no work started.
- Revisions: for example "one round at sketch stage, one round at final"; extra rounds are billed.
- Deliverables: file formats (PNG, transparent background, resolution), and whether the layered source file (PSD) costs extra.
Five things every commission contract must cover
- Scope and licence — personal or commercial, which media, for how long.
- Deposit and payment method — amounts and timing.
- Revision scope — how many rounds, and the fee beyond that.
- Deadline and deliverables — approximate completion date and file formats.
- Portfolio rights — whether you may show the finished piece in your portfolio and on social media.
Frequently asked questions
Q: How much should I charge for my first commission? Start from "personal use" as the baseline: estimated hours × your target hourly rate + a premium for usage rights. If you are unsure, compare the public price ranges above and the published rates of creators with a similar style and level of finish.
Q: Do I really need a deposit? Strongly recommended. A deposit is the client's commitment and protects the time you have already invested. It is the single best defence against a client disappearing halfway through.
Q: What if a client asks for unlimited revisions? Write the revision count into the quote before you start (for example, two rounds). Anything beyond that is billed by the hour or as a fixed fee.
Q: What is the difference between personal and commercial use? Commercial use means the client will profit from or promote with your image — merchandise, advertising, product listings. The impact and value are higher, so it must be negotiated and priced separately.
Next steps
Organise your service tiers, price ranges, workflow and terms and put them on the commission page of your portfolio. To see which tools you can unlock, start with plans and pricing, or browse the illustrator directory to see how other creators present their commission services. If you are still deciding whether you need a portfolio site at all, read Do illustrators need a portfolio website?.