BuildTheDreamBrand

Artwork Licensing Agreement

For Artists Granting Rights to Use Their Artwork

By Bhavna Rishi
Build The Dream Brand
Fashion Brand Consultant & Founder Mentor
20+ years working with artists, museums, heritage brands & independent founders.

Who Is This Template For?

This template is for artists and artwork owners.

Use this agreement when you are the artist (or artwork rights holder) and a company, brand, or individual wants to use your artwork on their products. This agreement protects your intellectual property, defines exactly how your work can be used, and ensures you are fairly compensated.

Examples of when to use this:

You are the Licensor (granting permission). The other party is the Licensee (receiving permission).

Important: This is a template, not legal advice. Always have a qualified solicitor review any agreement before signing, particularly for high-value or international deals.

Artwork Licensing Agreement

Parties

Licensor (Artist / Rights Holder):

Name:

Trading as:

Address:

Email:

Licensee (Company / Brand):

Company name:

Registered address:

Contact name:

Email:

1. Licensed Artwork

The Licensor grants the Licensee a licence to use the following artwork(s) (the "Licensed Artwork") subject to the terms of this agreement:

Artwork TitleMediumReference / File Name

2. Scope of Licence

2.1 Product Categories: The Licensed Artwork may only be used on the following product types:

2.2 Territory:

2.3 Duration: This licence begins on and expires on unless renewed in writing by both parties.

2.4 Exclusivity:

  • ☐ Exclusive (Licensee is the only party permitted to use the artwork on the specified products in the specified territory)
  • ☐ Non-exclusive (Licensor may grant the same rights to other parties)

2.5 Maximum production quantity per product:

3. Financial Terms

3.1 Royalty Rate: The Licensee shall pay the Licensor a royalty of % of the net wholesale price for each unit sold.

3.2 Minimum Guarantee: The Licensee shall pay a minimum guaranteed royalty of £ per year, regardless of actual sales. This amount is an advance against royalties earned.

3.3 Upfront Licensing Fee: £ payable upon signing this agreement. This fee is non-refundable and is an advance against royalties.

3.4 Payment Schedule: Royalties shall be calculated and paid quarterly, within 30 days of each quarter end (March, June, September, December).

3.5 Sales Reporting: The Licensee shall provide the Licensor with a written sales report alongside each royalty payment, showing units sold, wholesale price, and royalty due per product.

4. Quality Control & Approval Rights

4.1 The Licensee must submit samples, strike-offs, or prototypes of all products featuring the Licensed Artwork for the Licensor's written approval before production begins.

4.2 The Licensor has the right to reject any product that does not accurately reproduce the artwork or meet reasonable quality standards. Approval must not be unreasonably withheld.

4.3 Any modifications to the Licensed Artwork (cropping, colour changes, overlaying text) require the Licensor's prior written consent.

4.4 The Licensee shall ensure all products display the credit: "" on the product label, hang tag, or packaging.

5. Intellectual Property

5.1 All intellectual property rights in the Licensed Artwork remain with the Licensor. This agreement does not transfer ownership of the artwork.

5.2 The Licensee may not sub-license, assign, or transfer the rights granted under this agreement without the Licensor's prior written consent.

5.3 The Licensee may not register any trademark, design right, or other intellectual property based on the Licensed Artwork.

6. Termination

6.1 Either party may terminate this agreement with days' written notice.

6.2 The Licensor may terminate immediately if the Licensee: (a) fails to pay royalties within 30 days of the due date, (b) produces products without approval, or (c) breaches any material term of this agreement.

6.3 Upon termination, the Licensee shall cease all use of the Licensed Artwork. The Licensee has days to sell remaining stock, after which all unsold products must be destroyed or returned.

6.4 Any royalties due on post-termination sales remain payable.

7. Audit Rights

7.1 The Licensor (or their appointed representative) has the right to audit the Licensee's sales records relating to Licensed Products once per calendar year, with 14 days' written notice.

8. Governing Law

This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of .

Signatures

Licensor (Artist)

Signature

Print Name

Date

Licensee (Company)

Signature

Print Name & Title

Date

Pre-Filled Example: Artwork Licensing Agreement

Worked Example

Below is a completed example showing how an artist (Elena Torres, a botanical watercolour artist) would fill in this agreement when licensing her artwork to a scarf brand.

Parties

Licensor (Artist / Rights Holder):

Name: Elena Torres

Trading as: Elena Torres Art

Address: 14 Primrose Studios, Hackney, London E8 3LP

Email: elena@elenatorresart.com

Licensee (Company / Brand):

Company name: Bloom & Field Ltd

Registered address: Unit 7, The Print House, Manchester M1 5QA

Contact name: Sarah Chen, Creative Director

Email: sarah@bloomandfield.co.uk

1. Licensed Artwork

Artwork TitleMediumReference / File Name
English Garden in BloomWatercolour on paper, 60x60cmET_EnglishGarden_v3_2026.tiff
Wild Meadow at DuskWatercolour on paper, 60x60cmET_WildMeadow_v2_2026.tiff

2. Scope of Licence

2.1 Product Categories: Silk scarves (square and oblong formats only), silk pocket squares

2.2 Territory: United Kingdom and European Union

2.3 Duration: 1 June 2026 to 31 May 2028 (2 years)

2.4 Exclusivity: Exclusive for silk scarves and pocket squares within the Territory. Non-exclusive for all other product categories.

2.5 Maximum production quantity per product: 500 units per artwork, per product format, per year

3. Financial Terms

3.1 Royalty Rate: 12% of net wholesale price

3.2 Minimum Guarantee: £2,000 per year

3.3 Upfront Licensing Fee: £1,500 (advance against royalties)

3.4 Payment Schedule: Quarterly, within 30 days of quarter end

4. Quality Control

4.1 Bloom & Field must submit a strike-off of each scarf design for Elena's written approval before bulk production.

4.3 No cropping, recolouring, or text overlays without Elena's written consent.

4.4 Credit line: "Original artwork by Elena Torres" on hang tag and care label.

6. Termination

6.1 Either party may terminate with 90 days' written notice.

6.3 Sell-through period after termination: 90 days.

8. Governing Law

England and Wales

"Your artwork has value beyond a single sale. A well-structured licensing agreement means your paintings can generate income for years, across multiple products and markets, while you retain full ownership." - Bhavna Rishi