CHILDREN'S ILLUSTRATION PRICING GUIDELINES
Please send additions or corrections to: Ppcahill@aol.com
This is an attempt to capture the median price range for children's illustration. It is not the final word or price fixing. Some publishers pay less and some illustrators command more. Many variables are involved such as: the size of the publisher, the experience of the illustrator, color vs. B&W, and the complexity of the illustration.
Trade, mass market & religious picturebooks:
32 page: $5000 - $20,000 advance against 3.5% - 5% royalty
24 page: $3000 - $7200 advance against 3.5% - 5% royalty
16 page: $2000 - $5000 advance against 3.5% - 5% royalty
8 page: $1000 - $3000 advance against 3.5% - 5% royalty
Educational picturebooks:
32 page: $5000 - $12,000 usually work for hire or flat fee
24 page: $3000 - $7200 usually work for hire or flat fee
16 page: $2000 - $5000 usually work for hire or flat fee
8 page: $1000 - $3000 usually work for hire or flat fee
Interior illustrations for early readers, textbooks, magazines & Sunday school papers:
spread: $250 - $1500
full page: $150 - $750
1/2 page: $100 - $500
1/4 page: $75 - $300
spot $50 - $250
YA book covers: $700 - $2500
Early reader and textbook covers: $600 - $1000
Magazine covers: $150 - $550
Activity books, workbooks, coloring books:
full page: $100 - $300
1/2 page: $75 - $200
1/4 page: $50 - $100
spot $35 - $50
Posters: $600 - $950
School visits: $300-$1000 per day, $500-$800 seems to be the average. College visits up to $2000.
Sources:
SCBWI past pricing guidelines
Compiled pricing info at The Drawing Board site http://members.aol.com/thedrawing/bids.htm
"Graphic Artists Guild Pricing and Ethical Guidelines, 9th edition"
"Selling Your Graphic Design & Illustration " by Tad Crawford
the help of children's illustrator friends