Commissions can be the most profitable thing you do at a convention — or the most stressful. The difference comes down to how you manage the process before someone even sits down to talk to you.
Why Commissions Are Worth the Effort
Prints and merch are great, but commissions offer something they cannot: high per-transaction value with zero inventory cost. A single full illustration can net you more than twenty print sales.
Set Up a Commission Menu That Does the Selling for You
Commission tier pricing guide
| Tier | Description | Typical Price | Time per Piece |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quick Sketch | Pencil or ink bust, minimal detail | $10-$30 | 10-20 min |
| Colored Piece | Waist-up, flat or cel-shaded color | $30-$75 | 30-60 min |
| Full Illustration | Full body, rendered, background optional | $75-$200+ | 2-4 hours |
Rules for your sign:
- List turnaround time, not just price.
- Show examples of each tier on a tablet or printed out.
- State your revision policy in one line.
- Mark which tiers are available today.
Cap Your Slots Realistically
Example Saturday slot plan
| Tier | Time (with buffer) | Slots | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quick Sketch | 25 min | 6 | $120-$180 |
| Colored Piece | 75 min | 2 | $60-$150 |
| Full Illustration | — | 0 (will-call only) | — |
| Total | ~5.5 hours | 8 slots | $180-$330 |
Start with five or six if this is your first time and adjust for Sunday.
Queue Management Methods
1. The Paper List
A clipboard with numbered lines. Pros: Zero tech required. Cons: Hard to contact people when done.
2. QR Code Signup Form
A Google Form or Airtable form linked via QR code. Pros: Collects contact info automatically. Cons: Requires phone signal.
3. Digital Board (Trello, Notion)
Kanban board with columns: Queue, In Progress, Done, Picked Up. Pros: Customers see their position. Cons: Overkill for under ten commissions.
4. Dedicated Queue App
Pros: Everything in one system. Cons: Learning curve.
Collecting Deposits
- Sketches ($30 and under): Full payment upfront.
- Colored pieces ($30-$75): 50% deposit at order, remainder at pickup.
- Full illustrations ($75+): 50% deposit minimum.
Accept multiple payment methods. Square, Venmo, Zelle, and cash should all be options.
The Will-Call System
- Customer places order and pays a deposit in the morning.
- You give them a pickup time.
- They go enjoy the convention.
- You text or email them when it is ready.
- They come back, pay the remainder, and pick up.
If you are already using a tool like Shipyie for your convention sales, the QR code address collection feature doubles as a contact capture method.
Managing Customer Expectations
Cover these four things every time:
- Estimated completion time.
- How you will contact them.
- Revision policy.
- What happens if they leave the con.
Live Drawing as Marketing
The act of drawing at your table sells more commissions than any sign. Angle your work so passersby can see it. Use a tablet or large sketchpad visible from the aisle. Work on the most visually interesting piece first.
Handling the First-Hour Rush
- Have your queue system ready before doors open.
- Consider a time-release strategy: open five slots at 10am and five more at 1pm.
- When full, close immediately and capture info for later: "drop your email for my next commission opening."
Post-Con Commission Fulfillment
Follow-up timeline
| Action | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Finish remaining pieces | Within 1 week of con |
| Send completion photo to customer | Same day as finishing |
| Ship after customer approval | Within 2 business days |
| Send tracking number | Day of shipment |
Collecting addresses at a busy convention is a pain if you are doing it manually. Having customers scan a QR code and enter their own address — something Shipyie handles natively — eliminates the bottleneck entirely.
The artists who make commissions a reliable income stream are not necessarily the fastest drawers. They are the ones with the clearest systems.
If you want to simplify the order-taking, address collection, and shipping side of your convention setup, Shipyie's free trial lets you test the full workflow before your next event — no credit card required.