How to Start a Illustration Business

Illustrators provide their artistic talents to a range of clients, including advertising agencies, publishers, stock image services, web content providers, and other businesses.

As a freelance illustrator, you can take your skills in a number of directions. You might work for advertising agencies, stock image houses, magazine or book publishers, record labels, greeting card companies, digital properties, merchandisers, or other businesses. Some illustrators serve such narrow specialty niches as courtroom sketch artists, or niches in fashion, medicine, or technology. Or you might primarily work in fine art to be sold to customers directly or through galleries or agents.

You may also be interested in additional side hustle ideas.

Ready to turn your business idea into a reality? We recommend forming an LLC as it is the most affordable way to protect your personal assets. You can do this yourself or with our trusted partner for a small fee.

Northwest ($29 + State Fees)

DIY: How to Start an LLC

Start a illustration business by following these 10 steps:

  1. Plan your Illustration Business
  2. Form your Illustration Business into a Legal Entity
  3. Register your Illustration Business for Taxes
  4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
  5. Set up Accounting for your Illustration Business
  6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Illustration Business
  7. Get Illustration Business Insurance
  8. Define your Illustration Business Brand
  9. Create your Illustration Business Website
  10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your illustration business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Illustration Business Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

  • Your state’s business records
  • Federal and state trademark records
  • Social media platforms
  • Web domain availability

It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

What are the costs involved in opening a illustration business?

The good news is that you’ll probably not need a studio or employees at first. Your overhead will be rather low. However, since a great deal of illustration work today is done digitally, you’ll need to invest in technology. Here’s how your main startup costs might break down.

  • Hardware — $2,000 or higher. This includes a computer, a printer, a scanner, and a digital camera. You might already have some of this equipment, and some might be unnecessary to how you do business, but the investment will most like fall in this price range.
  • Software — $1,000 or less. Again, your needs will depend on the work you take on, but some of the general must-haves of illustration can be found in the Adobe Creative Cloud bundle for around $600 a year.
  • Art supplies — $500 or less. These are the non-digital tools of your trade, and can include brushes, markers, paint, canvas, or whatever other materials you use.
  • Marketing — A few hundred dollars and up. This covers your website and portfolio, as well as promotional mailings and social media.

What are the ongoing expenses for a illustration business?

Once you’ve stocked up on your hardware, software, and supplies, your ongoing expenses will be few. You might spend a few hundred dollars on self-promotion or on transportation costs to get to appointments if you’re meeting clients in person.

Other than that, your only costs are likely to be whatever you’ll need to live on until your revenue grows to the point where you can support yourself. This is a good argument for starting your business slowly, maintaining a full-time job and moonlighting to serve a few clients until your business grows to the point where you can operate without an outside paycheck.

Who is the target market?

Anyone who has a need for and an interest in your art. This might be commercial clients from your chosen areas of expertise or consumers who admire your artistic talents.

How does a illustration business make money?

You’ll charge a fee for your business that’s often based on your estimation of hours to complete the job. Some clients will let you quote an hourly rate, but most will want to hear a flat fee.

How much can you charge customers?

 There are so many different types of jobs for illustrators — ranging from animation storyboards and book covers to wine labels and print ads — that it would be difficult to flatly state what you should charge. But here are a couple of factors to keep in mind:

  • Commercial illustrators tend to charge between $25 – $100 an hour, based on talent, experience, client roster, and what the market will bear.
  • Large corporate clients can afford to pay more than startup merchandisers working from their spare room. What this means is that your job estimate will often depend on what you think your client can afford and is willing to pay for the job. But whatever that amount is, take an honest appraisal of the fee in terms of the time the project will consume, and see if the hourly rate makes it worthwhile. (Sometimes the potential for additional business from that client, entry into a new field of specialty or cash flow needs offset misgivings about a disappointing rate.)

Consider joining The Graphic Artists Guild. The annual cost of membership is between $75 and $200 depending on your circumstances, but it includes a free copy of “The Graphic Artists Guild Handbook: Pricing and Ethical Guidelines.” In addition to the valuable pricing guidance for a range of projects you’ll find in the handbook, the organization offers additional business guidance and advice.

How much profit can a illustration business make?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has a category called Fine Artists, including Painters, Sculptors and Illustrators, and lists a mean annual wage of $57,410 for that category. BLS also lists Graphic Designers, a related field, at an annual mean wage of almost $48,000. Of course, your earnings will only be limited by the reputation you attain, the clients you attract and the work you put out.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Consider specializing in leading-edge fields. For instance, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists annual salaries at a median rate of $65,300 and rising to as high as about $116,000 for work in such fields as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials. Do research to find the specialties and subspecialties where the pay is most attractive and find a way to secure those assignments.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your illustration business is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.

This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.

In practice, this means that if your illustration business were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.

More than 84% of our readers opt to collaborate with a professional LLC formation service to kickstart their venture. We’ve negotiated a tailored discount for our readers, bringing the total down to just $29.

FORM YOUR LLC

Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

  • Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
  • Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate an illustration business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.

Service Agreement

Illustration businesses should require clients to sign a services agreement before starting a new project.  This agreement should clarify client expectations and minimize risk of legal disputes by setting out payment terms and conditions, service level expectations, and intellectual property ownership.  Here is an example service agreement.

Recommended: Rocket Lawyer makes it easy to create a professional service agreement for your illustration business when you sign up for their premium membership. For $39.95 per month, members receive access to hundreds of legal agreements and on call attorneys to get complimentary legal advice.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.

Find out what types of insurance your Illustration Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Illustration Business.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a illustration business

All you have to sell, initially, is your work. So make sure that all of your prospects can see your talent in terms of your website design and portfolio, as well as in your promotional pieces. One inexpensive form of promotion is a simple postcard showcasing one or more of your illustrations and directing recipients to your digital portfolio. If you have additional funds for self-promotion (or are willing to spend more for a few good prospects), consider investing in coasters, matchbooks, refrigerator magnets, t-shirts, or other atypical canvases for your work.

How to keep customers coming back

Once you’ve drawn a client base with your work, you’ll keep them — and make them valuable referral sources — with your commitment to their satisfaction. Make sure you take direction well, gracefully accept revision requests and turn in your assignments on time and on budget.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

  • All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
  • Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
  • Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.

Other popular website builders are: WordPressWIXWeeblySquarespace, and Shopify.

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

You must have artistic talents and an entrepreneurial drive. This means that your skill set must encompass both the ability to continually find work, to complete it to your clients’ satisfaction, and to continually find new clients.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a illustration business?

Your typical workday will include a range of activities that include practicing your art and maintaining good client relationships. Here’s how a typical day might look.

  • Sending out marketing materials and placing calls to obtain new business
  • Phone, email or in-person meetings with clients to get assignments and go over project details, budgets and deadlines, or revision needs
  • Working on your billable assignments
  • Networking with others in your field and maintaining your professional social media presence
  • Investigating new software and technologies and buying supplies to stay current and ready for your next assignments
  • Invoicing clients and keeping your business afloat

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful illustration business?

Stay adaptable — and keep learning. The technology, the tools and the opportunities are constantly changing. The career you undertake today will look nothing like what you’ll be doing in 20 years. That’s the good news! Stay curious and you’ll be able to choose from multiple paths to career success.

What is the growth potential for a illustration business?

That depends on the direction you take your business. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics gives Graphic Designers — a related field — an outlook of one percent growth rate between 2014-2024. But opportunities are expanding in various digital multimedia fields, including storyboards for animation and other Silicon Valley assignments. Another example of a rising field is book jacket covers for independently published ebooks (though rates aren’t high).

Not sure if a illustration business is right for you? Try our free Business Idea Generator and find your perfect idea.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

  • Funding
  • Events
  • Guides
  • Support

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a illustration business?

Get significant work experience before you go off on your own. This will not only show you how to find clients and complete jobs successfully, but it will help you build your portfolio for when you’re ready to go solo.

Also, consider networking if there are other independent illustrators in your area. You might join or form a cooperative to share such costs as studio space, website and promotion. 

How and when to build a team

Chances are, you won’t have a team — or the unnecessary cost of employees. But you might collaborate with other artists, photographers, or others serving your client base in order to expand your services and raise your rates.

Useful Links

Industry Opportunities

Real World Examples

Further Reading