Most VTuber commission disputes come from undefined terms — "how many revisions?" "can I use it for ads?" "what if I want to resell it?" Here's what every contract should specify and what's reasonable in 2026.
VTuber commissions feel like buying a t-shirt — pay, receive file, done. They're actually closer to commissioning a custom suit: there's back-and-forth, fittings (revisions), and clauses about how you can wear it (commercial use). This guide covers what every commission should specify.
1. Revisions: how many is "fair"?
The 2026 industry norm:
- Concept stage (rough sketch): 2-3 revisions free
- Line art / clean sketch: 1-2 revisions free
- Color / final pass: 1 revision free, $30-80 per extra round
- Rigging (Live2D / 3D): 1-2 calibration tweaks free, $50-150 per major rerigging
What counts as a revision? A specific change request ("make the eyes bigger", "lower the skirt"). NOT a complete redesign mid-project — those typically void the original quote and start over.
2. Who owns the model?
Two completely different things to clarify:
Character IP (the design itself)
Default in most VTuber commissions: YOU own the character design. You can use it forever, on any platform, in any context. The artist might keep portfolio rights to display the work in their own portfolio.
The rig / model files
Same default: You own the files after final delivery and full payment. You can hand them to another rigger to modify, or convert to other formats yourself.
Source files (.psd, .moc3, .blend)
This is where it gets contentious. Some artists keep source files unless you explicitly purchase them. Standard practice in 2026:
- Layered PSD of the art: usually included
- Live2D Cubism source (.cmo3 / .can3): often $100-300 extra
- Blender source (.blend) for 3D: often $100-200 extra
Always ask explicitly. Don't assume.
3. Commercial use: when do you need extra license?
| Use case | Standard license | Commercial license |
|---|---|---|
| Streaming for free / donations | ✓ | — |
| Streaming with ads / monetised | ✓ (gray area, ask) | — |
| Subscription on Patreon | — | ✓ recommended |
| Selling merch with the character | — | ✓ required |
| Brand sponsorship deals | — | ✓ required |
| Reselling / sublicensing the model | — | ✗ usually NOT allowed even with commercial |
Commercial license usually adds 30-100% to the base commission price. Worth it if you're monetising — saves messy disputes later.
4. Refund policy
Standard VTuber commission refund tiers (industry norm):
- Before any work starts: Full refund (or 5-10% admin fee deducted)
- Sketch / concept stage: 70-80% refund
- Line art done: 40-50% refund
- Color / rigging in progress: 0-25% refund
- After final delivery: No refund (only revisions if within agreed limit)
Some artists are stricter (no refunds after sketch stage). Always read the TOS BEFORE paying the deposit.
5. Payment structure
Most reputable artists use:
- 50% upfront, 50% on delivery — most common
- Full upfront with discount — sometimes 5-10% discount as incentive
- 30/40/30 split — for big projects ($1000+): deposit, mid-milestone, final
Avoid artists who demand 100% upfront with no portfolio + no public presence. Avoid artists who demand $0 upfront — they usually have low completion rates.
6. Delivery timeline
What's reasonable in 2026:
- PNGTuber commission: 3-7 days
- Standard Live2D: 2-3 weeks
- Premium Live2D: 4-5 weeks
- Cinematic Live2D: 6-8 weeks
- Standard 3D VTuber: 3-4 weeks
- Premium 3D: 5-7 weeks
Delays happen — life, family, illness. A 1-2 week delay with communication is normal. A 1-month delay with no updates means you should consider a partial refund and moving on.
7. NSFW / sensitive use
Most artists explicitly prohibit:
- NSFW use of the character without explicit additional license
- Hate symbol incorporation
- Use in scenes promoting violence / illegal activity
Even if you OWN the IP, the original artist usually has clauses preventing reputation-damaging use. Read the TOS.
8. Red flags in commission contracts
- "All rights reserved by the artist" — they're keeping the IP. You only get a license. Avoid for VTuber commissions where you NEED full ownership.
- "Revisions at artist's discretion" — vague. Should be specific (X rounds free).
- "No refunds under any circumstances" — illegal in many jurisdictions; suggests the artist has had disputes before.
- No portfolio / no socials — could be a scam account.
- "Send Bitcoin / crypto only" — almost always a scam.
What AnimArts contracts include
Every AnimArts commission includes:
- You own the character IP and all delivered files
- 2-3 revisions per stage included
- Commercial license included on Premium tier and above (no extra charge)
- 50/50 payment split with milestone delivery
- Source files included (Live2D Cubism + PSD on Premium)
- Refund tiered by progress (full before start, partial up to delivery)
- NSFW use clause (requires explicit additional agreement)
Read our full Terms of Service before commissioning. Have a question? Ask before paying →
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