BuildTheDreamBrand

Artwork Licensing Agreement

For Companies Acquiring Rights to Use an Artist's 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 companies, brands, and founders who want to license artwork from an artist.

Use this agreement when you are the brand or company and you want to use an artist's original artwork on your products. This agreement clearly defines what you are permitted to do with the artwork, protects both parties, and sets out the commercial terms.

Examples of when to use this:

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

Licensee (Your Company / Brand):

Company name:

Company number:

Registered address:

Contact name & title:

Email:

Licensor (Artist / Rights Holder):

Name:

Trading as:

Address:

Email:

1. Licensed Artwork

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

Artwork TitleMedium / FormatFile Reference

2. Permitted Use

2.1 Product Categories: The Licensee may use the Licensed Artwork on the following products only:

2.2 Territory:

2.3 Duration: From to

2.4 Exclusivity:

  • ☐ Exclusive within specified product categories and territory
  • ☐ Non-exclusive (artist may license to other companies)

2.5 Maximum production quantity:

2.6 Sales channels: (tick all that apply)

  • ☐ Own website / direct to consumer
  • ☐ Wholesale to retailers
  • ☐ Online marketplaces (specify: )
  • ☐ Trade shows and pop-ups
  • ☐ Museum and gallery shops

3. Financial Terms

3.1 Royalty Rate: % of net wholesale price per unit sold.

3.2 Minimum Guarantee: £ per year (advance against royalties).

3.3 Upfront Fee: £ payable upon signing (non-refundable advance against royalties).

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

3.5 Reporting: The Licensee shall provide quarterly sales reports showing: units sold per product, wholesale price, royalty calculation, and payment due.

4. Your Obligations as Licensee

4.1 Quality Approval: You must submit samples, strike-offs, or prototypes to the Licensor for written approval before production. Do not proceed without written sign-off.

4.2 Artwork Integrity: You may not alter, crop, recolour, or modify the Licensed Artwork without the Licensor's prior written consent.

4.3 Artist Credit: All products must display the following credit on the label, tag, or packaging: ""

4.4 Quality Standards: All products must meet a standard consistent with the brand positioning and not bring the Licensor's name or artwork into disrepute.

5. Intellectual Property

5.1 Ownership of the Licensed Artwork remains with the Licensor at all times. This agreement grants a licence to use, not a transfer of ownership.

5.2 You may not sub-license, transfer, or assign these rights without the Licensor's written consent.

5.3 You may not register any trademark, design right, or copyright based on the Licensed Artwork.

5.4 All digital files of the Licensed Artwork must be stored securely and returned or destroyed upon termination.

6. Termination

6.1 Either party may terminate with days' written notice.

6.2 The Licensor may terminate immediately if you: (a) fail to pay royalties within 30 days of the due date, (b) produce without approval, (c) exceed the agreed production quantity, or (d) breach any material term.

6.3 Upon termination, you have days to sell remaining stock. After this period, remaining stock must be destroyed or returned. Proof of destruction must be provided.

7. Audit & Records

7.1 You must maintain accurate records of production quantities and sales for 3 years.

7.2 The Licensor may audit these records once per year with 14 days' notice.

8. Governing Law

This agreement is governed by the laws of .

Signatures

Licensee (Company)

Signature

Print Name & Title

Date

Licensor (Artist)

Signature

Print Name

Date

Pre-Filled Example: Artwork Licensing Agreement

Worked Example

Below is a completed example showing how a homeware brand (Moss & Fern Interiors) would fill in this agreement when licensing botanical illustrations from an artist for a cushion range.

Parties

Licensee (Company):

Company name: Moss & Fern Interiors Ltd

Company number: 14523890

Registered address: 22 Canal Wharf, Birmingham B1 2JS

Contact: James Okonkwo, Founder

Email: james@mossandfern.co.uk

Licensor (Artist):

Name: Priya Sharma

Trading as: Priya Sharma Illustrations

Address: Studio 3, Riverside Arts, Bristol BS1 6QF

Email: hello@priyasharma.art

1. Licensed Artwork

Artwork TitleMedium / FormatFile Reference
Tropical MonsteraDigital illustration, 4000x4000pxPS_Monstera_v4_2026.tiff
Palm House FernsDigital illustration, 4000x4000pxPS_PalmFerns_v3_2026.tiff
Botanical Garden No.7Digital illustration, 4000x4000pxPS_BotGarden7_v2_2026.tiff

2. Permitted Use

2.1 Products: Printed cushion covers (45x45cm and 50x50cm), matching table runners

2.2 Territory: United Kingdom only

2.3 Duration: 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2028 (2 years)

2.4 Exclusivity: Non-exclusive

2.5 Maximum production: 1,000 units per artwork per year

2.6 Sales channels: Own website, wholesale to independent retailers, trade shows

3. Financial Terms

3.1 Royalty: 10% of net wholesale price

3.2 Minimum Guarantee: £1,500 per year

3.3 Upfront Fee: £1,000

4. Obligations

4.3 Credit: "Artwork by Priya Sharma" on product label and website product page

6. Termination

6.1 60 days' written notice

6.3 60-day sell-through period after termination

8. Governing Law

England and Wales

"When you license artwork, you are borrowing someone's creative soul for a commercial purpose. Treat it with the respect it deserves. A clear agreement protects the art, the artist, and your business." - Bhavna Rishi