1. Parties & scope

These Terms govern the commission of illustrations and related services by Familiar Ink (“Roland Scriver”) for the person or organisation who commissions the work (“Client”).

A separate Estimate/Order Confirmation or signed Quote referencing these Terms forms the binding contract.

⸻

2. Copyright & ownership (non-assignment)

Unless a separate written agreement expressly states otherwise, the Illustrator retains all copyright and other intellectual property rights in the Artwork (original files, sketches, and final art). The Client is granted only the licence(s) described in the Estimate/Order Confirmation.

⸻

3. Licence: scope, territory, duration, exclusivity

3.1 The licence granted is strictly limited to the uses, media, territory, and duration set out in the Estimate/Order Confirmation.

3.2 If the Client requires exclusivity beyond what is stated, an additional fee will apply and must be agreed in writing.

⸻

4. Moral rights, credit, and attribution

The Illustrator asserts moral rights where applicable (right to be identified/attributed and to object to derogatory treatment).

4.1 Social media use: When the Artwork is posted on social media or digital platforms, the Client agrees to credit the Illustrator clearly and tag @familiarink (or such updated handle as the Illustrator may reasonably notify).

4.2 Printed works: For projects resulting in physical products (e.g., books, record sleeves, merchandise, posters, t-shirts), the Client will provide the Illustrator with at least one complimentary finished copy of the printed item as part of the agreed fee. For limited edition or high-value merchandise, reasonable alternatives (e.g., proof copies, samples, or a substitute promotional item) may be agreed if supplying a full copy is impractical.

⸻

5. Prohibited / revocable uses — political extremism clause

5.1 The Client agrees not to use the Artwork in a manner that endorses, promotes, or materially supports organisations or movements whose stated aims include hate, ethnic or religious supremacy, violent overthrow of democratic institutions, or which are designated as extremist by recognised national authorities (“far-right political ideologies”).

5.2 If the Illustrator reasonably determines that the Client (or any third party) is using the Artwork to support such ideologies, the Illustrator may:

• suspend or terminate the licence immediately;

• require the Client to cease and desist from further use; and/or

• demand the return or secure deletion/destruction of digital and physical reproductions within a reasonable time.

5.3 Suspension or termination under this clause does not relieve the Client of payment obligations for work already completed.

⸻

6. Fees, deposits, and payment

6.1 A non-refundable advance payment of 50% of the total fee (or 30% for projects valued above £X,000) is required before any work (including preliminary sketches) begins, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

6.2 This advance secures the Illustrator’s time and covers initial development work. No concept sketches, thumbnails, or drafts will be supplied until the advance payment has cleared.

6.3 The balance is payable on delivery of the final Artwork (or in staged instalments where explicitly agreed in writing).

6.4 If the Client cancels after an initial concept sketch has been delivered but before completion, the Illustrator retains the advance and may invoice for any additional time and costs incurred up to that point.

⸻

7. Briefs, sign-off, and multi-party approvals (bands & labels)

7.1 The Client must supply a clear written brief and nominate a single point of contact for day-to-day decisions. Where the Client represents a group or an organisation (e.g., a band, record label, manager, PR agent, merch partner), the Client warrants they have involved all interested parties in the brief formation and that the brief represents the final, agreed instructions before the Illustrator begins work.

7.2 If the Client fails to secure sign-off from other stakeholders and the resulting Artwork must be redeveloped, the Client acknowledges that:

• revisions beyond the agreed number (see Estimate) will be charged at the Illustrator’s hourly/revision rates; and

• the Illustrator is entitled to payment for work already delivered even if the Client chooses not to use it.

7.3 The Illustrator is not responsible for delays, additional costs, or reputational risk arising from the Client’s failure to involve necessary third parties in the brief.

⸻

8. Revisions & approval process

8.1 The Estimate specifies the number of revision rounds included. Revisions outside that scope are chargeable.

8.2 The Client must provide consolidated feedback in writing within the stated review period; otherwise the Illustrator may deliver the next version and invoice for additional time if necessary.

⸻

9. Delivery & file formats

Final files will be delivered in the formats agreed (e.g., high-res TIFF/PDF, layered PSD/AI, and web-optimised PNG/JPEG). The Illustrator will retain archive copies unless otherwise agreed.

⸻

10. Warranties & indemnities

10.1 The Illustrator warrants the Artwork is original and does not knowingly infringe third-party copyrights (except where Client supplies content or reference material).

10.2 The Client warrants they have the right to provide any supplied material (logos, photographs, text) and will indemnify the Illustrator for claims arising from Client-supplied materials or for any use outside the licensed scope.

⸻

11. Moral & reputational concerns

If the Client wishes to use the Artwork in ways the Illustrator considers unethical, defamatory, or likely to seriously damage the Illustrator’s reputation, the Illustrator may refuse or withdraw a licence. Charges already incurred remain payable.

⸻

11A. Restrictions on AI use

11A.1 The Client may not use the Artwork, in whole or in part, for the purpose of:

• training, fine-tuning, or prompting artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning systems;

• generating derivative works, variations, or further illustrations via AI tools; or

• enabling third parties to do any of the above.

11A.2 These restrictions apply regardless of whether the Client has an exclusive licence.

11A.3 Any breach of this clause constitutes a material breach of the Agreement, entitling the Illustrator to revoke the licence immediately (see clause 5), pursue damages, and recover all reasonable legal and enforcement costs.

11A.4 If the Client wishes to explore AI-adjacent uses in collaboration with the Illustrator, this must be separately negotiated, in writing, with appropriate additional fees.

⸻

12. Confidentiality & publicity

12.1 Either party may request confidentiality for sensitive projects; terms will be agreed in writing.

12.2 The Illustrator may show commissioned work in portfolios, websites, and self-promotion unless a written confidentiality/non-use clause is agreed and paid for.

⸻

13. Cancellation & force majeure

13.1 If the Client cancels the commission after work has started, fees for work completed and reasonable wind-down costs are payable. Deposits are non-refundable.

13.2 Neither party is liable for delays caused by events beyond reasonable control; reasonable efforts to mitigate should be made.

⸻

14. Dispute resolution & governing law

These Terms are governed by the laws of England & Wales. Parties will attempt good-faith negotiation and, if necessary, mediation before commencing litigation.

⸻

15. Changes to these Terms

The Illustrator may update these Terms from time to time; the version attached to the Estimate/Order Confirmation forms the agreement between the parties for that commission.