skateboard graphics
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- robswift74
Anyone have an average figure of what a deck graphic usually goes for? A range perhaps, or what you have been paid in the past.. thanks.
- thenuge0
i have been paid for some. In alot of cases, it's usually done for free bcuz so many people want to get their graphics on boards.
- derek20050
if its a big company.. they really should pay you..
but, at the same time, if element came knocking at my door... i would love to do a deck for them
- robswift740
how much did you get paid nuge? Im doing the first for product but I want to know a ballpark range so I can ask something reasonable for everyone involved.
- thenuge0
to be honost, i can't really remember. i did some wakeboard designs back in 2002 for o'brien, but i also did their site, catalog and a bunch of other stuff. i was working for a design house so, i was just getting paid salary. i did joyride graphics for free. serum, i was an employee and frozen, i bid that job with a bunch of other stuff. so, i don't really know. i may reccomend actually asking for royalties vs. a project lump sum. if the boards sell well, you may make more $.
- SecretPenguin0
most of the time, when i've done skateboard graphics, it's for friends or our own company. so i've only charged around $250-400 a board.
which company are you doing it for?
- DaveId0
almost nothing, trust me.
I worked in the art dept. for one for years, we were constantly trying to get people to do graphics with absolutely no budget.
An illustrator friend of mine was just approached by black label, and when he told them $800 per deck, they said no way.
it's been that way for 30 years.
you'd be lucky to get 300-500 a deck.
- a_brigade0
How does one go about gettin the hookup for the job anyway? Last year I got to do some snowboard graphics, and it was the greatest project I ever had. But the only reason I got it was I knew a team rider.
I have always wanted to do some skate graphics - help me out c'mon.
- davey_g0
It's a fucking sweet project, balance that with the dollars bro. I'd almost do it for free...but to be fair to myself....
small company: $150-$250
big company: $300-$400
- robswift740
Thanks.. thats about what I thought. Ive done some shirt graphics for 200 so I figured around there. Plus I want to buy the job since Ive been fiending for getting work like this. I got the job through a old friend who is involved in the project. And it is a small company. But that means more creative freedom.
- a_brigade0
Are you gonna post the designs for us all to gander at when theyre ready?
- timg0
i've found there's some standard art fees developing in the skate/ snow/ surf industry... which is a good thing.
if you've got some kind of body of work or industry history, here in CAN basic tee graphics are going for $300 - $500... depending on the art and how much time "appears" to be involved. if i'm reworking an already establish brand and just doing logo tweaks, $300 is a fair price.
you should be able to get more for board graphics, or at least a comission on top of a flat fee. depends how you market yourself... if you consider yourself an artist/ illustrator you should be getting $500 at least.
the skate industry is BIG international business now and should be paying to reflect that. they love to make you think they're doing you the favours, but without the artists skate decks would not sell. period.
also make sure to clarify the limitations of what your art is intended to be used for... the industry is notorious for paying for a deck graphic, which turns into a tee print, which becomes their logo for a couple years.. etc etc.. and that ain't cool.
- timg0
i should probabbly add to that..
when i say min $300 for basic tee prints.. that's assuming you've been commissioined to design a few, like 5 for $1500 is a good offer. then its worth your time to do a series of comps.
i would not develop ideas for 1 tee print at $300.
- versa0
most people will expect to be charged about 200-300 a board graphic
that is usually true anyways
- timg0
versa, i totally disagree with that figure... you're doing artists a disservice. what's your hourly rate? are you designing boards and finishing print-ready art in under 5 hours?
half of the skate/ snowboard industry is parented by heavy corporate players.. why should they pay less?
- DaveId0
like i said, there's a "going rate", but it's not good.
I worked for one of the biggest and oldest companies for 8 years. It was fun, i met so many great people, but they shouldn't be able to get away with expecting to pay so little.
same with the music industry.
they take advantage of eager kids.
- versa0
i have tried my hourly rate and been turned down every time
as it sounds most of the people in the thread have found too
is sucks, but the skate industry is a tight walleted bunch, and hold their ground usually because they know that control a fun medium
the range i offered is what i have found to be reality
sucks
- thenuge0
i agree, the music industry is the same. In my experience, it doesn't pay as well either. As far as the action sports industry...I have friends that are marketing directors for skate, snow and wakeboard companies. they don't pay much if at alll for board graphics. and, most of them prefer to use different artists for different models.
- scnc0
fuck it, get your own boards made..who needs those guys
if youre into skating and design that much then why not?
- thenuge0
i agree
- scnc0
i think its a waiting game for anyhitng thats underground or independent, whether it be music, skate, yoyoing, lolo balling or whatever... its a different world to corporate and you havae to rememebr that....youve gotta put up wtih a good few years of paying your dues, having the right attitude - doing it purely for the love not the money (after all, the guys who run these companies were in that postiion when they first started the company, why should they give you such an easy time? they want some payback and fair enough i say....itll come back around for you just like it did for them).......dont complain if youre putting a week into a piece of work and you get paid £50 for it if that...its all for the love and it will pay off you jjust havea to have the right attitude....after a few years youll get yourself a rep and then you can charge rates that youd like because youve put in all the groudnwork and become desirable cos youve got all these cool things under your belt you know whati mean? 'live the dreammmmmmmmm duuuuuuuuuudddddde'