How do I find an artist to create my t-shirt idea?

June 8, 2017 7:33 AM

Now and then I have an idea for a clever (but niche) slogan or image for a t-shirt that I want to sell (on Redbubble?) but I have no visual art skills. How can I link up with artists who could create my designs? I would split the profits.
posted by freecellwizard to Media & Arts (9 answers total)

Best answer: I would split the profits

Most designers worth their salt won't go for this. Working on spec isn't likely going to get you a good, professional designer. You should come up with a budget for yourself, then consult with a few and ask for quotes. They should draw up a contact outlining who retains the rights, payment, scope of work etc. They'll probably require a deposit.

Mefi Jobs wouldn't be a bad place to start.
posted by furnace.heart at 7:41 AM on June 8, 2017 [9 favorites]

Consider fiverr as well
posted by pyro979 at 8:32 AM on June 8, 2017

Best answer: Seconding furnace.heart - I'm an artist (and I'm on Mefi Jobs) and I wouldn't do this for half of the profits; in fact, I wouldn't do it for even 100% of the profits or else I'd be doing that all by myself with my own ideas already. I would need to be paid upfront. If you don't want to have to outlay moderately significant money on this idea because you're not sure how profitable it would be, that'll be the same reason why artists won't want to outlay significant time, materials, and energy on it. The same goes for illustrating children's books and comic strips.
posted by vegartanipla at 8:35 AM on June 8, 2017 [8 favorites]

Best answer: I did this, I contacted my local art college and paid I think $50-$100 for a simple design. I can't remember the full contract but I think there was a provision for % profit should I sell in excess of X shirts, something like that. I never ended up mass producing the shirt but I wear mine often.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 8:56 AM on June 8, 2017

I've had my own redbubble store for a few years now... and my profits have been under $100... total, so splitting that wouldn't make much sense.

The biggest benefit is, of course, not needing to order a ton of things and find somewhere in my apartment to store them.

There is a wide variety of illustration and font styles on redbubble/cafe press, you should try to take a swing at it anyway. Nothing improves your sense of design like trying out some design!

If you wanted to print shirts locally, and sell them and store the ones that don't sell until they sell, well you can actually make a profit of some kind. But much more of a hassle.

Have fun!
posted by dreamling at 11:32 AM on June 8, 2017

Best answer: Agree with furnace.heart and vegartanipia--I'm an artist working in animation and our entire community and industry is constantly advised against working on spec. If you're looking to get a design, the design itself is a commission you need to pay for. It's not really a joint venture between you and the artist in which you hopefully both make money. You're buying a product from the artist, and using that to hopefully create another successful product. If an artist works for a split of the profits, there's a good chance they might never get any money out of it.

Not to say you wouldn't pay them, this is just how a lot of artists will see this. It takes time, personal art supplies, and a lot of energy (both creatively and physically) to produce a good design, and while I'm sure you might be able to find someone to do it under these circumstances, you likely wouldn't get an artist of the caliber you're probably seeking.

I suggest coming up with a number you're willing to pay and approaching artists--like st. peepsburg says, you may have more luck approaching students/less seasoned artists.
posted by sprezzy at 11:39 AM on June 8, 2017 [1 favorite]

Best answer: When you ask an artist (or anyone) to work on spec, you are essentially asking them to assume the risk of unpaid work for your idea. If you believe strongly enough in your idea, have the courage of your convictions to pay for work that your idea requires. Asking someone else to shoulder that risk is unfair at best, and poor business practices at worst.

Not to say that every artist you approach will say no, just trying to provide some perspective on why many of them will likely not do this without a contracted agreement and payment for their work upfront.
posted by ananci at 1:18 PM on June 8, 2017 [2 favorites]

Best answer: The amount of times that creative people get approached by friends/family /co-workers /friends of friends/people on the bus/random stragers, saying "I have a great idea for a T-shirt/childrens book/cookbook/novel/screenplay/animated movie. You should write/illustrate /photograph/animate it and we'll split the profits," is truly mindboggling. Its also the reason why most artists will not be interested in your offer. We've either been there, done that and never made a dime, or we are too busy doing guilt work because we haven't learned how to say no to our loved ones (still not making any money though).
posted by WalkerWestridge at 3:22 PM on June 8, 2017

Response by poster: Thanks everyone. This set of answers was a little different than I expected but they make total sense. I have actually worked in other creative jobs (music mostly) and free collaborations were usually only with people who I knew personally or whose music I really liked. I also am mindful of not undercutting working artists so maybe I'll stay away from the students. I will get things more figured out and then find a couple of people and ask for an estimate.
posted by freecellwizard at 9:52 AM on June 24, 2017