Commission a Map

Thank you for considering me for your map commission! Below, I've outlined everything you need to know about commissioning me for a map. I know it's a lot, so if you prefer to skip it, you're welcome to send me a message using the form below to get started!

What kind of maps do I make?

I accept map commissions for a variety of purposes: I've designed maps for DnD campaigns, self-published novels, university displays, wedding decorations, fan fiction, and more. Basically, I'll take on any project as long as it's within my capabilities!

Regarding style or theme, I primarily take fantasy map commissions, but I'm always thrilled when historical or contemporary requests land in my inbox. At this time, I'm not the best fit for SciFi maps, but I can recommend some artists who are.

Check out some of my work here to determine if my style fits the look you're going for.

How to Commission a Map

Use the form below to describe your project, story, world, or anything else that'll help me envision the map you want! I'll review your request and get back to you with a cost estimate, turnaround time, and explanation of the next steps. Sending a form is completely commitment-free, so you're welcome to use it even if you just want some more information!

More information about pricing, the process, and details I need for a commission can be found below.

The Process

After I've received your form submission, I'll get back to you within a few days to let you know whether I can accept the commission. I'll also send you a cost estimate and the expected turnaround time. In rare cases, I may ask you a few questions to get a better idea of the scope of your project before deciding whether I'm able to take the commission.

In general, I have a turnaround time of 1-2 weeks once I begin your commission. Depending on the number I have in my waitlist, I may not begin work on yours right away. Please let me know if you need your commission expedited in your initial message.

Once I've accepted the commission and we've agreed on an estimated turnaround time and price, I'll send you an invoice for a 50% deposit as well as a rough sketch of my own. This sketch is used to determine landmass sizes, shapes, locations, geographic features, etc. This is when I welcome you to make any major changes before I begin working on the actual map.

Once I've sent the finished design, you're welcome to request any minor changes, free of charge. Major changes may be requested after the finished design is sent, but will be charged at $30 per working hour. The final invoice, including any agreed-upon charges for major changes, will be sent once you've approved the finished map. After I receive payment, I'll send along the final high-quality map in digital format or an external download link.

What do I need from you?

I aim to make maps as true to your vision as possible; as such, I'll need as clear and detailed information as you can provide. However, if you don't know what you want, or don't care about certain aspects (like geographic features, city locations or names, etc) let me know and I'll gladly work with you!

Here's a non-comprehensive list of information you could include:

a rough sketch of your map
It's okay if you include a VERY rough sketch! Even a couple of vague shapes on a torn piece of notebook paper is enough!
reference photos
These can be mine or others. Or images you find on Google! It's helpful to have a visual reference of the art style you'd like.
print size
map color
full color, faded, sepia, black and white, etc.
detail level
Do you want a heavily detailed isometric map? Or maybe a vintage-inspired 2-dimensional map? Basic shapes to denote city locations?
any additional information that may be relevant
general layout, landmass shapes, geographic features, location names, important landmarks; you can even include details about your story and worldbuilding if you're using the map for your campaign or novel
budget
deadline

If you need to attach additional files, you can send an email to commissions@sgdfantasymaps.com with those files. Alternatively, you can email me your commission request instead of filling out the form - whichever is easier for you! It truly makes no difference to me.

Additionally, you're more than welcome to email me with any questions about commissions, requests for examples of each of the above points, or anything else you need clarified.

Finally, if you're not too particular about your map and want to give me more creative freedom, that's fine too! This is generally much cheaper than more specific requests. You can just send a message along the lines of "I want a map of a few continents in color. Put a few dots down for cities. No border or compass." and I can do that! Here's an example of a commission I did for someone who requested exactly that:

Pricing

Each map is unique. Some may include thousands of individual icons and landmarks, but use pretty standard pre-existing assets. Others have only a couple dozen assets, but are fully hand-drawn and customized. The latter will take much more time and effort, and will therefore be much more expensive despite looking "simpler". All that to say, the final "look" of a map isn't a great indication of how much it will cost. Instead, the following factors affect the design time and, therefore, the cost:

asset type
e.g. handdrawn vs basic
color
map size
more area to detail = more time
number of assets
major changes to approved features
changing the icon style, level of detail, viewpoint of icons, scale, etc. will be charged an hourly rate of $30

My prices are negotiable based on how quickly you need the map (are you okay with it being done whenever I have free time, or do you need it quickly?), your budget, and the creative freedom you allow me.

New commissions based on prior maps (for example, you commissioned me for Book 1 in your series, and now you want the same map but with a couple of destroyed cities, or zoomed out to show a new continent) will be charged an hourly rate of $30. I can only give an estimate before starting work, but I try to overestimate the expected cost so that you're likely to pay less than the estimate at the end.

Pricing is always discussed and agreed upon before any work is started. I won't ever tag an unexpected fee onto the final invoice.

Some examples of past commissions and their prices:

$50-100

no customized/ handdrawn icons, minimal to no shading, and minimal revisions

$100-200

moderate icon count, full color and shading, detailed landmasses, and moderate revisions

$200+

full color and shading, large scale, numerous assets, high text count, and major revisions

no customized/ handdrawn icons, minimal to no shading, and minimal...

moderate icon count, full color and shading, detailed landmasses, and...

full color and shading, large scale, numerous assets, high text...

$50-100

no customized/ handdrawn icons, minimal to no shading, and minimal revisions

$100-200

moderate icon count, full color and shading, detailed landmasses, and moderate revisions

$200+

full color and shading, large scale, numerous assets, high text count, and major revisions

Terms and Conditions

You do not forfeit your rights to your intellectual property present in the map. As the artist, I retain copyright of the map; I retain the right to use commissioned maps for promotion, advertisement, and display (such as a public portfolio). Exclusive use rights go to you, the customer, upon my receipt and processing of the final payment. You may not, however, claim the work as your own, nor may you profit from the map as an end product (i.e., you may not sell prints of this map).

Payment must be made in 2 installments. The 2 payments are to be 50% of the estimated cost before work has begun, and the remaining agreed-upon balance upon completion and approval of the final design. The final high-quality image will be delivered upon receipt of the final payment. Maps are provided digitally, either by email or a download link (usually Dropbox).

Working files of commissioned pieces can be delivered for an additional fee, provided these files are requested before the first payment is received.

I agree to keep your commissioned map private until a specified date if you wish (for example, you're giving it as a gift on a specific date, using it as part of a book announcement, etc).

For inquiries about obtaining full copyright, please contact sgase@sgdfantasymaps.com.