Getting Started / Contracts / Rates

[Finch]

I'm interested in getting started doing a few gig posters on the side. I've been a working designer for the last five years, got the degree, yadda yadda yadda.

Anyway, I'm curious as to how people suggest I get started. I just tried e-mailing one of the local establishments that might be interested in having posters printed. I figured that would be as good a place as any to start. If that is the wrong way, please let me know.

Secondly, I'm wondering about what the average rate is for a poster in a small to mid-size market (I'm in the Chattanooga TN area).

Thirdly, I'd like to know if there is a standard or template contract for doing gig posters. I've got contracts for other design work, but gig posters are a little different. There are all the issues with the right to sell the posters after the fact and any and all band name clearances that might be needed.

Any advice that can be given would be appreciated. If this has already been asked (which it probably has) I apologize profusely. Just post a link to the earlier thread and I'll go read it right away.

Thanks,
Keith

[Clay]

Here's a related link I found for yah..

http://www.gigposters.com/phpBB/view...c=1541&forum=6

[El Negro Magnifico!]

I'm interested in this info myself. We're here to learn!

[JGex]

I am using the Artist's Guild guide to write gig poster specific contracts right now. Contracts do not have to be all legaleze looking to be binding. Best place to start is with that book.

Keith check yer pm's....

[Clay]

Another related link:

http://www.gigposters.com/phpBB/view...c=1481&forum=1

[robschwager]

<--- proud Guild member.

[Finch]

Okay - I've read through the two threads that have been mentioned, but unfortunately I didn't see a whole lot of information in there about the questions I'd asked.

Basically, I got price ranges anywhere from $80 to $125 an hour, $400 for a design or $500-$1,000 a day.

I know that folks may be hesitant to reveal how much they charge per poster, but perhaps you might be able to suggest a pricing structure for me, working in a relatively small market.

I also didn't see much information about how to get started. Who is the best person or people to contact to get a foot in the door?

There was some discussion of kill-fee, cancellation fee and rejection fees, but it didn't go into what a normal rate is for those things. Is it a flat rate or a percentage of the estimated final billing or quote(or something else entirely)? How do artists arrange to get an adequate number of samples to sell on their own after the fact and how is this worded in the contract(s)? I'm imagining that this could net just as much, if not more than the initial fee from the client for a sought-after poster.

For what it's worth, I do have a copy of the GAG guide (albeit an older edition), but from my experience the prices in there seem a bit outrageous for this market. I've also got another useful book - Business and Legal forms for Graphic Designers. It has some good standard forms, but it doesn't address the issues pertinent to the gig poster arena.

[Finch]

Anybody?

[oahu_surfa]

Keith, you sound like a pro but concert posters are something else entirely. do a couple for free and see where it goes. Most designers/illustrators do em for free and sell them at or after the show (ebay etc...)I'd say 90% of us do it in the name of art and not for the rent It truly is a fine art market and the odds of 'making it' are the same as leo castelli exhibiting your work. i'm not challenging your talent, but this is as niche as niche market gets.

[JoltedJoel]

I have to agree, there are very few on this board who actually make any kind of money from doing posters (other than selling them at/after shows) I'm usually happy if I make enough to cover materials and buy myself some food while I print them. I'm in a small market myself (Buffalo,NY) and I guess if I could give any advice it would be to contact the larger "national" promoters in your area and feel them out.
Another more effective thing to do is get in touch with bands you like and see if they need tour posters. Usually they have labels backing them up and you can get paid upfront for that kind of stuff.