Graphic Arts Forms

When original art or photos for publication, protect your copyright in the work by having the publisher or editor sign this Acknowledgement of Copyright in Artwork at the time you submit the work.

• The publisher / editor acknowledges that you are the owner of the copyright.
• The publisher / editor agrees that the work will not be used for any purpose other than for the publication.

Don't run the risk of losing your rights in your own work. Always get the Acknowledgement of Copyright in Artwork signed when you submit original art to any person, firm or website.

Prepare a Certificate of Authenticity for a limited edition art work with this free ready-made template.

• The Certificate can be attached to each copy in a limited edition series of artwork. Each reproduction produced from the original must be certified as authentic and numbered as part of the series, for example, in a series of 200, the limited edition reproductions are sequentially numbered 1/200, 2/200, 3/200, and so on.
• The Certificate also certifies that the plates or other materials used to make the reproductions have been destroyed, and that each of the pieces is signed by the artist.
• This template is available in MS Word format and can be printed out and filled in by hand, or completed on your computer.
• This is a free form that can be used anywhere.

Artists, do you accept commissions for custom artwork? Protect your ownership rights in the work with this template Commission Contract for Original Art.

• The commissioned work will be based on preliminary designs by the artist which have been approved by the client.
• The client agrees to pay the artist's reasonable expenses in connection with the creation of the work, and will pay for any shipping costs.
• The artist is responsible for insuring the work until delivery.
• The artist agrees to assist in installing the work if required.
• Payment will be made in installments, the first upon signing the agreement, the second upon approval of the preliminary design and the balance upon completion of the work.
• The client can terminate the contract if a preliminary design cannot be agreed upon, or if the artist fails to complete the work as or when agreed.
• The artist can terminate the contract if the client does not make a payment as agreed.
• The artist reserves the copyright and the right to a commission on any resale of the work.
• This Commission Contract for Original Art template is a generic legal agreement which can be used almost anywhere.

Artists, use this customizable template to prepare a sale contract for selling your artwork to a collector.

• The contract contains two payment provisions, either (i) for payment of the full price upon execution of the contract, or (ii) payment in installments.
• The artist retains all moral rights in the artwork, including:
  • the right to be identified as creator of the work,
  • statutory copyright and all reproduction rights,
  • the right to refuse to consent to any modification, alteration, distortion or mutilation of the work,
  • the right to retake ownership of the work if the collector wishes to destroy it.
• The collector will offer the artist the first right to restore or repair the work.
• The artist may borrow the work for non-profit exhibition, and the artist will bear the costs of insurance and transportation of the work for exhibition purposes.
• The collector will pay the artist a resale royalty if the collector sells or otherwise transfers ownership of the work for a profit.
• Available in MS Word format.
• This is a generic contract which can be used anywhere.

Write up a contract to develop a project for a client with this customizable Graphic Design Project Agreement template.

• This is a generic legal agreement which is not country-specific and can be used anywhere.
• Any changes to the specifications must be by change order and will constitute additional work and incur additional fees.
• The designer will work up preliminary design sketches at the outset of the project, and will present proofs for the client's approval at each stage of the project development.
• The template contains alternate clauses covering the client's reproduction rights to the project, depending on whether the client will have unlimited or restricted rights.
• The designer retains ownership of all original artwork designed for the project.
• The designer warrants that the project will conform to the specifications, and the designer's liability is limited to adjusting the project to make sure it conforms.
• The client warrants that all materials it supplies to the designer are owned by or licensed to the client.
• The template includes a Contract Change Order form.
• This legal contract clearly defines each party's obligations, and protects your rights to your original work. Get the Graphic Design Project Agreement template and use it for all of your projects.

Find an artist to illustrate a book or other original work and pay them a fixed fee for their work under the terms of this Illustration Commission Agreement.

• The form contains a work-for-hire clause for USA contracts, which can be deleted for use in other countries.
• Under this contract, the artist is paid a fixed fee instead of a royalty. When the artist's fee has been paid in full, the author of the book becomes the sole owner of the illustrations and all copyrights.
• The artist will be given a credit line whenever the illustrations are used.
• The artist warrants that the illustrations are original and not derivative, and that he/she has not assigned the rights to any other person.
• The fixed fee Illustration Commission Agreement ensures that your work gets illustrated for a fair price which, once it's paid to the artist, is full and final compensation.
• Available in MS Word format.

Commission an artist to illustrate your book, e-book or other publication with this Illustration Commission Agreement with royalty payments.

• The artist will be paid an ongoing royalty (based on net profits from sales of the book) for the author's use of the illustrations in the book.
• If the artist's work is also used in connection with any merchandising, the artist will receive an additional royalty from the sale of the merchandise.
• The author or publisher must provide the artist with a statement of net sales and royalties accruing for each payment period.
• The artist will be credited each time the illustrations are used.
• The artist will retain ownership of and copyright in the illustrations. The work done under the contract is specifically stated NOT to be a work for hire.
• The artist warrants that the illustrations are original and not derivative, and that he/she is the sole owner.
• Available in MS Word format.
• This is a generic contract that does not contain references to any specific law or regulation of any country or jurisdiction. it can be used in many locations.

Prepare invoices for the sale of art pieces with these customizable Invoice Forms for Artwork.

• The package contains two invoice templates:
  • an invoice form for the sale of a single art work, which contains a section for limited edition pieces,
  • an invoice form for bulk purchases, which can be used by either the artist or by a gallery to sell several art pieces to one client.
• These Invoice Forms for Artwork are available as Microsoft Word templates and are fully editable to fit your business needs.

Prepare a contract to create a limited edition artwork for a distributor client with this downloadable easy-to-use template.

• The artist will be the sole creator of, and will remain the owner of unencumbered title in the copyright to, the artwork.
• The distributor will publish, promote and market the limited edition.
• The artist will provide the client with certification as to the year of creation, the authorized number of signed / numbered and unsigned / unnumbered copies, and other relevant details with respect to the limited edition.
• The artist reserves all reproduction rights. The client agrees to register the copyright within three months of publication.
• The artist maintains artistic control over the limited edition.
• The distributor will pay the costs of creating and promoting the limited edition.
• The artist will receive a non-refundable advance.
• The distributor will have exclusive right to sell the limited edition within the territory described.
• Title to each copy remains with the artist until the artist has been paid in full, at which time title will transfer to the purchaser of the copy.
• The distributor will bear the risk of loss or damage of each copy of the limited edition until it is delivered to the purchaser. The distributor is responsible for carrying adequate insurance coverage.
• This template is available in MS Word format and is fully editable to meet your needs.
• This is a generic legal contract which can be used almost anywhere.

Protect yourself and your gallery against legal claims from artists with this Release and Indemnity of Gallery by Artist form.

• You should get a signed copy of the Release and Indemnity from every artist who is exhibiting his/her work in your gallery space.
• The artist releases the gallery from any claims for lost or damaged pieces and indemnifies and holds the gallery harmless against such loss or damage.
• This is an editable template which can be customized for your business.
• You can use this generic legal form anywhere.
• Defending a lawsuit can be costly. Have each of your exhibiting artists sign the Release and Indemnity form before they install their work.

Visual artists, prepare a resume to accompany your portfolio with this free Resume Form for Artist template which contains sections covering your:

• work experience and accomplishments,
• awards and honors,
• existing clients,
• education,
• memberships,
• community involvement,
• competencies and proficiencies,
• references.

Use this free template to prepare your Resume. Go ahead, download it - won't cost you a thing.