Free template · Word, Excel, PDF
Artist invoice template
A free invoice template for artists and illustrators: commissions, original works, prints and licensing. Record the deposit, list framing and shipping separately, and make it clear who owns the artwork and who keeps the copyright.
No signup and no email address needed. To use Google Docs or Sheets, upload the file to Google Drive and open it there.
What to include on an artist invoice
- Your name or studio, contact details and tax number if you're registered.
- The buyer or client, and a commission or order reference.
- A description of the work: title, medium, size and year, or the edition number for prints.
- Materials, framing and mounting, at cost or as agreed.
- Shipping and insurance, especially for originals.
- Sales tax where it applies.
- Deposit received, balance due and how to pay.
- Ownership and copyright: the buyer owns the physical work, and you usually keep the copyright unless you sell or license it.
Commissions
A deposit when the commission is agreed, often half, covers materials and your time on sketches. Invoice the deposit first. Then send a final invoice for the balance before the finished piece ships, which is a common practice that protects your work. Note on the invoice how many rounds of changes the commission included.
Licensing and reproduction
Selling a painting and licensing its image are separate transactions. If a client wants to use your work in products, publications or advertising, invoice the licence as its own line. State the use, territory and duration, and keep the copyright yourself.
Sales tax and records
Selling physical artwork is often subject to sales tax where the buyer is, while some services and licences aren't. The rules vary by state and country, so check yours before you invoice. Number every invoice and keep copies; they're also your record of which pieces went where.
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Frequently asked questions
Is this artist invoice template free?
Yes. It's free to download for Word, Excel or PDF with no signup, or fill it in online with the free invoice generator and download a PDF with your details.
What should an artist invoice include?
Your details, the buyer and a commission reference, a description of the work with its title, medium and size, materials, framing and shipping, any sales tax, the deposit received and balance due, ownership and copyright terms, and how to pay.
How do I invoice an art commission?
Invoice a deposit when the commission is agreed, often half the price, then invoice the balance before the finished piece is delivered or shipped.
Does the buyer get the copyright?
Not by default. The buyer owns the physical artwork, and the artist usually keeps the copyright unless it's sold or licensed in writing. Say which applies in the invoice notes.
Do I charge sales tax on art?
Sales of physical artwork are often taxable, but the rules depend on your state or country and where the buyer is. Check your local rules before invoicing.