How exactly does Licensing your art work?
If you've been dreaming of getting your art licensed, whether it's for fabric, wallpaper, stationery, or home goods, it’s important to understand how is actually works. It’s not always the case but often, the designs you're submitting now will likely be considered for next year. Art directors, buyers, and manufacturers are usually working 9 to 12 months (or more!) ahead.
Even though you might be sipping pumpkin spice lattes and sketching fall leaves, now is actually the perfect time to submit your winter, and early spring collections, because that’s what buyers are looking for right now.
In this blog, I’ll walk you through what it means to license your artwork, how to prepare for it, and what you can do this fall to set yourself up for licensing success in 2026 and beyond.
A Real-Life Story: When Licensing Came Knocking
When I first started posting my surface pattern designs on Instagram, I was simply sharing what I loved to create. Then one day, I got a message from someone who said they liked several of my designs and asked if I’d be interested in licensing them. It turned out they ran a swimwear company, right here in the Bay Area.
We arranged to meet at a local coffee shop, and even though I didn’t have a portfolio, I figured: “I might as well learn more about how this works…”
The only way I could show her my work was by flipping through my Instagram feed. Thankfully, she was kind and patient. She pointed out five or six designs she was interested in and I promised to follow up with more details.
In the end, she selected two of my early designs. This week’s blog cover is my dahlia print that she used on a swimsuit. And here’s the kicker: I sold them outright. She paid me $1,500 for each, which was incredibly exciting at the time. But what I learned later is that selling a design outright is very different from licensing it.
When you license your designs, you’re renting them to a company for a specific use, timeframe, and often a limited geographic region. You retain ownership and copyright. When you sell them outright, as I did, you give up your rights to that artwork. It's no longer yours to use or re-license.
This experience taught me so much. Mainly, that being prepared with a professional portfolio is important but even without one, opportunity can come knocking! Be ready and open to it. It’s okay to do it messy!
Here’s How to Get Ready
1. Audit Your Existing Work
You don’t need to create a whole new collection from scratch. Start by reviewing what you already have. Look for:
Patterns that feel cohesive or could be grouped into a mini collection
Holiday and winter-themed designs (even abstract ones)
Designs you’re proud of and would buy yourself
2. Organize a Simple Portfolio
Your portfolio doesn’t have to be fancy, but it should be organized. Aim for:
3 to 5 collections
Each collection with 4–6 patterns
A balance of hero prints, blenders, and supporting coordinates
Use tools like Adobe InDesign, Canva, or even Adobe Illustrator to lay it out. Put a password protected link to it on your website.
3. Do Your Research
Make a list of brands that align with your style and values. See if executives are listed on LinkedIn. You can also follow them on social media. Check if they accept submissions, and tailor your email outreach accordingly.
Bonus tip: Include a pattern or two that uses trending colors. Consider referencing the Pantone Color of the Year or seasonal palettes shared by companies like Spoonflower or WGSN.
4. Craft Your Pitch Email
Research the company’s submission requirements and follow them! When reaching out via email, keep it short and sweet. Mention:
Who you are
Why you’re reaching out
A link to your portfolio
Why you’re work would be a good fit for them
Always personalize it! Mention a product or collection of theirs you admire. Art directors can spot a copy/paste job a mile away.
5. Keep Track of Submissions
Use a simple spreadsheet to note:
Who you’ve contacted
When you sent your pitch
Any follow-ups
Responses received
This helps you stay organized and persistent, without becoming annoying.
Want Support?
Inside my membership, Anne’s Atelier, we’re doing a special bonus workshop where I’ll guide members through planning and prepping for Q4. November and December are big sales opportunity months for your designs! Join us and let’s make sure you’re set up for success this holiday season.
👉 Click here to learn more about Anne’s Atelier.
If you’ve been waiting for a sign to take this next step in your creative journey, this is it.
Final Thought:
Licensing is one of the most exciting opportunities in surface pattern design, but it’s also one that requires patience, organization and follow up. Take it from someone who stumbled into her first opportunity without a plan (or even a portfolio!).
Start with what you have. Build your confidence. Polish your presentation. And most importantly, get your work out there.
You never know who’s scrolling through Instagram with an idea that only your art can bring to life.
And remember, it’s never too late to create.
xo,
Anne
It’s Never Too Late to Create®
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MEET ANNE
Hi…I’m Anne!
My creative inspiration comes from a lifetime of observation. I grew up in Paris on the Place St. Sulpice and walked to school through the Luxembourg gardens. And that was only the beginning… Learn more by watching the video on my About page.
