Frequently Asked Questions

How can I best prepare for licensing my artwork?
One of the most important things in licensing is that you have something to license! If you have painted many images over the years, but you don't have the production quality photography for manufacturers to use, unfortunately it will be difficult or impossible to license your work. Make sure you have production quality photography of your artwork. Without this, it's like starting your career from day one. In licensing, we must already have the artwork ready for a licensee to use even before they choose it. Most deals happen very quickly, and there is no time to locate originals and photograph them, provided the owner is willing and cooperative. It is much more time and cost effective for originals to be photographed before they are sold.

Who holds the copyright to the images?
Our artists retain the copyright to their images. In rare cases copyright for an image may be sold, but it carries a premium price tag, as it eliminates any future opportunities for the artist, and transfers it to the new owner. We do not recommend that the sale of a copyright be taken lightly.

Should I sell my copyrights?
It is not recommended that you sell your copyrights. Unfortunately, in the past companies had purchased not only the rights to use the art for the product the company manufactured, but they included the copyright ownership of the image in the contract, preventing the artists from using the art for anything else. Thankfully we don't see this as much today, but it's definitely something to be aware of. Always consult with your attorney before signing a contract.

I own a painting; does that mean I own the copyright?
No, the creator of the artwork owns the copyright unless is has been sold or transferred to someone else. The owner of the painting only owns the painting, not the copyright associated with it.

Do you license artwork for use as, or part of, a logo?
TAG does not license images that will be used for commercialization for logos as it limits their commercial viability once it's associated with that particular logo.

Can I have an artist create the image I need?
For the most part, TAG works with artists that are painting for their originals buyers and then licensing their images. Artwork is shown after it is finished and ready for licensing. There are thousands of images we offer, we encourage you to contact us to help locate what you're looking for. Some artists are willing to do commissioned work, please contact our office to inquire.

I can't find an image that fits my criteria on the webpage, what do I do?
Contact us and let us know what you're looking for, we are always looking for new artists ourselves. We might be able to find what you need.