Artist FAQ

Art Licensing International is one of the leading commercial licensing companies in the world. With 700+ artists and 130,000 images in our archive, we are able to provide manufacturers in every product category, access to the best in imagery resources. ALI’s team of enthusiastic, art-loving individuals are committed to fostering personable relationships with our artists and our customers, bridging the gap between the creative process and strategic planning. Customer satisfaction is our priority, emphasizing a one-on-one conversation to customize contracts that work for any industry. Our offices are located in the beautiful historic village of Manchester in Southern Vermont, approximately 50 miles north east of Albany, NY International Airport.

Lots of artists ask us, “why do I need an agent to represent my art?”

Simply, we have years of experience working with manufacturers all over the world. We have established relationships with creative directors and licensing directors in major companies that look to us for imagery on their projected product endeavors. By negotiating the best licensing deal, we can ensure that the artist is being paid fairly and adequately, allowing artists’ to spend time on creating new imagery.

But mostly, we know art, and we know the value of creative skill and talent that can match the trends in a very competitive industry.

You will often speak with Jack Appelman, CEO and owner, who has been in the business of art licensing for more than 30 years. You may also speak with Russell Appelman, VP and Licensing Director or Zoe Anderson, Art Director. All three are devotees of the art world and welcome conversations about the art that you create. Once you have signed an agency agreement as one of our artists, you may also be speaking with other members of our team, Licensing Agentsor our Archive and Server specialist, Joe. We are all here to assist in helping you get established with your portfolio.

ALI usually requires that no other company represent your images during the duration of the contract period, but we can work with each artist on an individual basis in creating a contract that will work for you.

ALI works with customers all over the world that manufacture products that include:

• Puzzles: Traditional, Wooden, 3-D, On-line Puzzle Apps.
• Wall decor: Canvas, Paper, Metal, Wood, Various surfaces, Tapestry
• Diamond Art Kits
• Paint-By-Numbers Kits
• Fabric, Throws, Blankets, Towels
• Home, Kitchen and Bath products: Mats, Rugs, Tabletop, Mugs, Shower Curtains
• T-shirts, Leggings, Bags
• Pet Products: Collars, Bowls, Food Canisters
• Stationary and Paper Goods: Journals, Greeting Cards, Wrapping Paper, Gift Bags
• Calendars, Flags, Garden Signs
• Holiday themed specialty items: Ornaments, Ceramic display objects

We have successful working relationships with artists from all over the world. An ever increasing archive of artwork from those who have been with us for many years as well as new artists that have signed with us within the past few weeks. They create imagery in a multitude of mediums, from traditional painting, drawing and collaged pieces to a wide variety of digital computer arts and many styles of photography. Royalties are still being paid to many artists that joined ALI more than 20 years ago!

We are looking for a wide selection of art in a variety of mediums in two-dimensional format (not three-dimensional sculpture). Market driven trending themes and color are very important, but we also do well with traditional concepts that have proven their success for years. Black and white artwork such as pencil, charcoal, pen and ink are not as successful as full color art. But trends come along that bring this medium to the forefront, so please check out our trends page from the link at the top menu. In addition to the what we know is in the marketplace, we always like to see various styles and subject matter such as the following:

Traditional Painting
Realism
Country/Primitive Art
Contemporary and Urban Art
Abstract
Typography
Poster design
Illustrative graphics
Photography (Black & White and Color)
Collage – mixed medium
Digital Art and AI generated

Original artwork with dense color such as oils and acrylic with minimal canvas or laid paper surface texture reproduce the best on products. Digital artwork and graphics must be of high resolution quality to work for our customers.

Recent interest in watercolor make this medium a well established trend.

Also, the recent tech advancement of sophisticated AI generated software is creating a whole new appreciation for digital art forms. We welcome these creative ideas, but please note that many of these apps do not generate high resolution files that will work well for reproduction at 16 x 20, 300 dpi. We are always willing to review, so don’t hesitate to send us what you have.

*A note regarding computer generated artwork.

We welcome creativity, however, incorporating recognizable imagery is artwork we can’t readily license. Our emphasis is on originality and skillfully rendered art that shows the handy work of an individual and the quality of a hi-resolution digital file that meets with our customers’ demand and the industry’s standard. The following are examples of art that we discourage against:

• Imagery that is not your own and is not public domain status.
• Incorporation of logos, icons, and/or copyright material that is not your own.
• Imagery that has been used/ published elsewhere

As soon as it arrives, it is logged into our tracking report and put into a secure area. You will be notified that it has arrived. We also have insurance in place that covers the entire value of your work(s) in our possession. We will photograph your art as soon as we are able and return it to you in the same packaging, sending you tracking information.

Bigger is better! Large digital files have more capabilities of licensing for various products. Typically the largest tiff file we would need is 35×45 at 300 dpi, but no smaller than 9×12 at 300 dpi. Although your original artwork may be a smaller format, it can be reproduced by a professional scanner or photographer to obtain a successful digital image at a larger proportion. Please keep in mind that we emphasize the quality of a file. In most cases, a digital file that is already prepared small, should not be enlarged to meet our purposes. When in doubt, create larger pieces, as many of the products we license are large. 16 x 20 is a good starting point.

No. Although, we do ask that you send at least 25 new images per year. When you send new art, this gets pushed to the website and flagged as new additions. The more often you send art, the more you’re on the home page. That said, we curate our archive and may not accept imagery that won’t work for what we do.

We always like to see what you are doing in general. You can always send a pic or jpg of what you’re working on.

Our new website is a bright and shining billboard for our customers to choose imagery. We are active on a weekly basis updating web content to feature as many as our artists as possible. Our weekly e-newsletter blast to over 700 of our customers around the world provide links to art, artists and trends on our website. Our licensing team sends out weekly presentations of all new art loaded into the archive along with art news of popular trends we know our customers are looking for. Internally, we are always in communication with customers to send us requests for art or imagery and color trends projected for their projects in the following year. We are also active on all the social media sites.

The world is opening up again, and trade shows are booming. This year, our licensing team is set to visit several large international shows in Europe and in the US, meet with our customers and establish new connections.

Artists receive 50% of all money ALI receives from the customers’ agency agreement created specifically for the image(s). Each contract we write comes with its own unique terms. Licensing royalties or flat fee payments are based upon industry standards with different percentages paid for different products.

Royalties are paid out in the quarter following receipt of payment from our customers to Art Licensing. We pay artists all over the world by different methods.

Some licensing agreements include advances. Licensing advances are determined by the individual manufacturer contracts and vary by industry and company. Artists receive 50% of these advances and are subtracted from the royalties earned for that quarter.

No. Artists maintain ownership and control of their originals. If you choose to send your originals to us to be photographed for our archive, your original(s) will be returned to you once we have created a digital file. ALI owns this digital copy of your art. You may request a copy of this file at anytime for a small fee.

Licensed product samples will be handled on an individual basis as each manufacturer has different sampling procedures. Shipping charges for samples will be deducted from royalty statements unless you notify us that you do not want them forwarded.

We pride ourselves on our meticulous accounting controls, which assure that you are paid the proper amount.

Just give us a call or send us an e-mail. We will research the issue and report our findings to you promptly.

Although the contract has dispute resolution mechanisms built in, the best way to resolve differences is to talk about them and work them out. In our many years of experience, we have found that reasonable discussion between ALI and our artist has solved most problems amicably. We recognize and honor the hard work all artists put into their craft, we only wish for what works best for all those involved and our artists to be happy.

Yes, you retain the copyright on the original work. The copyright notation on the reproduction gives credit to the artist along with acknowledging ALI as your agent.

Absolutely. We have on a number of occasions filed suit against infringement and we police the internet constantly to find companies that are using art without permission or established contracts. We also welcome your input if you discover anything out there with your artwork and are not sure of the source.