How are the fees set for a medical illustration?
Medical illustration is typically priced per illustration. Factors that affect the cost include:

• How many illustrations are needed? A discount may be given for large projects.
• Will the illustration be in color or black & white?
• How will the illustration be used? Is it for a print or multimedia distribution? Will it be used on the Web? Will the image be used in a way that will be resold? What copyrights will be transferred?
• How many times will the illustration be used?

It’s important to discuss all of these details at the start of the project. Without this information, I or another illustrator can’t provide an accurate estimate.

If a project will take a long time, sometimes a deposit payment will be requested to begin the project. I make sure all payment information is clearly written in the estimate before the project starts.

How do I begin a medical illustration project?
The first thing I do when I’m contacted about a project is arrange a time to talk through the details with my client. Usually this is a phone conversation, but sometimes we’ll meet face-to-face.

I ask about the project, how the illustrations will be used, what kind of reference materials are available, proposed timelines and if there are any special budget considerations.

Next I put together a list that describes the illustrations. After my client and I agree on this list, I create an estimate that includes delivery dates (for sketches, revisions and final art), delivery media and payment terms. Once the estimate is signed off, I start the project.

Is the estimate the same as the final cost?
No, the estimate is my “best guess” of what the project will cost using all the information that I have when I create the estimate. If more illustrations or views are introduced — or the project or usage of the illustrations dramatically changes — the cost will change too. I will always keep you apprised of any changes that might affect the final bill.

What about copyright ownership?
Clark Medical Illustration owns the copyright to the content of this web site. Remember, comping is usage so please ask first. We appreciate your desire to view or use our images, but for a number of reasons, we do not want to have our images used in any way without permission. Any use, including "comping", implies value that is worth compensation.

The United States Copyright Office has excellent information about copyright law. Copying any of the content of this site, including images, text, source code violates US and international copyright law. Violators will be subject to criminal penalties as well as liability for substantial monetary damages, including statutory damages up to $100,000 per infringement, costs, and attorney's fees.

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The content on this web site is protected by the copyright laws of the United States. Images or text may not be scanned, reproduced, published or altered in any way without the expressed written permission of the illustrator. ©1995-2005 Clark Medical Illustration. All rights reserved.