A typical series of events and schedule for producing an illustration for a marketing brochure cover may be as follows:

Client meets with art director to discuss the purpose of the illustration, decides on illustrator(s) to contact—1 day

Contact illustrator(s) to discuss project, request further samples and/or portfolio review, and get price quotes. After reviewing samples and quotes, final choice of artist is made. Discuss and agree on final fees and usage with illustrator—2-4 days

Artist prepares and presents sketch(es) for approval—5-10 days

Upon client approval of sketches, artist prepares final artwork—5-10 days

Upon completion and acceptance of illustration, artist bills client. Once the piece is printed, the original artwork, with samples, is returned to the illustrator.

Since an illustration is typically reproduced as part of another piece (brochure, ad, magazine, etc.), it is important to communicate to the artist the scheduling and production aspects of the entire job. If you are working with an art director overseeing the project, he/she will handle that for you. Details such as delivery deadlines for sketches and final art; printing specifications (size of illustration, number of inks used to print it, paper stock, etc.); as well as usage rights need to be communicated to the artist.

This information is designed to provide you with a better understanding of the illustrator's role in producing quality designed and printed pieces. For more information or the names of local illustrators, please consult with your designer or search our Creative Resource Buyers' Guide.