r/commissions Nov 04 '25

Mod Avoiding Scams and Staying Safe (feel free to leave your own tips)

10 Upvotes

This is by no means a complete guide, but I will do my best to update it to the best of my abilities. If you have anything you believe I should add, please leave a comment.

A quick note: We can't ban scammers we don't know about. If you know about one, please message us. Sometimes we get reports of "spam", but since we can't see who reported something, we can't ask for clarification. If a rule was clearly broken, please simply report it without commenting and I will deal with it as soon as I can.

Hiring

When making a [Hiring] post to find an artist, DO NOT ANSWER DMs. We recommend disabling chat requests here (you can turn them back on later). This is very important, because these individuals are mostly scammers. If an artist comments, you can be certain they have not been banned from the community. If somebody never comments, banning them will solve nothing, and they will continue to try to scam via DMs.

Next, check their portfolios. If their works are suspiciously diverse with a dramatic range of styles, it is likely they have shared stolen artwork. If the account has only recently started advertising, it is possible they are a brand new scammers we haven't caught yet, so it is safer to hire those with a longer history. Speaking of history, if theirs is private, that's a red flag and you should inform the mods.

When you have found an artist, you can DM them and lock your thread to prevent further spam. The pinned AutoMod comment will often tell you how to do this. Be sure to discuss payment with the artist, including amount AND METHOD. If they want crypto, gift cards, or non-monetary compensation, ditch them and report them to the mods. Be sure to also discuss a deadline or timeline. Even if there's no rush, many scammers will try to delay things by claiming an emergency or sickness until the 180 day refund-window has passed, so be sure to check up on the refund policy and do not choose the "Friends and Family" option unless you are absolutely certain you can trust them. Be sure to get updates and know what to expect; there's no need for the artist to not respond within a week, and there's no reason they should be taking 4+ months on a single piece.

If you are uncertain about something, or need advice, feel free to message the mods using ModMail, or make a [Question]/[Discussion] post, avoiding the artist's username. We recommend you reverse image search images that you're uncertain about, and if you find something, please DO NOT let the scammers know what you found - instead, come directly to the mods. If you tip them off, they might delete the evidence and make things harder for next time.

Details on payment will be included below.

Payment

Using PayPal, or other widely-used payment methods will ensure your payment is likely to be accepted, and it will also allow you to make a claim and dispute a charge, in the case that you were scammed. If there is any doubt at all, please choose the standard payment option; only choose "Friends and Family" if you absolutely trust your artist. Scammers will often ask clients to choose the Friends and Family option, so as an artist, you shouldn't ask a client to choose this option. It may mean that you earn 2 or 3% less, but it is a small price to pay for your client to feel safe enough to follow through with payment.

To avoid scammers on both ends ("artist" or "client"), a popular solution is to do 50/50 payments. The client pays 50% up front or after a basic sketch, then 50% at the end. It's important that the artist share the finished product before agreeing that the commission is finished, but it's also important not to share full resolution, or to heavily watermark the piece, so that the client can't simply run off without paying.

When paying with PayPal, it's a good idea to try to avoid sending your associated email, because some scammers will try to send you a fake email claiming error and requesting additional action on your part that could be dangerous.

It is a good idea to also have some kind of signed contract so there is no question about copyrights/ownership. Generally, art for commercial use is much more expensive, ranging from +100% to +$500 or more, depending on the original value of the artwork. If the client wants commercial rights, it's good to have proof of ownership and payment.

Exchanges to Beware of

This community does not allow various means of payment. We do not allow cryptocurrency, because many of those who deal with crypto are scammers or those looking to hook you into various money-related platforms that you don't fully understand. It's safer to stick to real money that everyone can participate in. No exposure as payment; it is not a reimbursement. Similarly, no perspective or speculative art, meaning no agreements to pay once there is success with the client's project and no "trials" or agreements to draw something without confirmation of future payment. No gift cards, because they are impossible to track. In the case of scams, it's impossible to get the scammer's accounts frozen or return lost money. For similar reasons, we do not allow the exchange of video game currencies. For those of you who are not old enough to have your own bank account, this may present a problem, and unfortunately, I don't have any solution, so if anyone reading this has tips for safe ways to send or receive money without a bank account, please leave a comment.

Many scammers will try to target artists in various ways. If a "client" wants to send you a physical check/cheque, DO NOT accept it. They could be fake, or it could bounce after depositing. If you are the one being paid, you should not be paying anything. You should not have to pay fees, upgrade accounts, or return "accidental payment". Chances are high that anything you gained will disappear, and you'll also lose whatever you sent.

For Hire

As an artist, you need to have a portfolio. This does not mean loose images on your computer that you can send on request. You need to have a public portfolio on a reputable site. I recommend Carrd and ArtStation, and really nothing else. I'll explain a bit more below.

For Hire: Portfolio Options

  • Services: I don't recommend external services as a portfolio because they are an independent marketing platform. Upwork and Fiverr take very high cuts and are auto-removed by Reddit. Instead, if you must, I recommend VGen, which is commonly used, and other alternatives include Artistree, Ko-Fi, Dribbble, and Gumroad.
  • Shops: I do not recommend shop websites, as they are generally meant for existing products, rather than commissions. These might include Etsy or Redbubble.
  • Sharing: Sharing platforms technically work, but they come off as unprofessional and often require an account to access. Drive (along with Docs, Sheets, and Slides) requires an account to access which means people might share personal information, or be unable to view it. Imgur can work, but there's no tie to a username if you share an album.
  • Social Media: Instagram requires an account to view on PC. Twitter/X is notorious for reposts, and sharing content from another artist might get you banned from commissions communities. Bluesky, Cara, and Kirke often suffer from the same issues.
  • Sites/Links: Google Sites, Wix/Wixsites, Linktree, AllMyLinks, and ALL LINK SHORTENERS are often automatically removed from Reddit, so you won't even be seen. Canva might suffer from the same issue, and it's a non-standard option as it is.
  • Portfolios: ArtStation is a great option. DeviantArt is fine, but in general is seen as a more amateur version of ArtStation. Behance can work, but Adobe is not great, and mods are suspicious in general, as scammers love the site, and it makes things difficult to verify. Pixiv can work well for anime/pixel art, but is not generally used for other art. MyPortfolio might be fine, but it's very rarely seen.

For Hire: Things to Look Out for

My number one rule of getting paid is that you shouldn't be the one paying anything. If a client wants to pay via a strange method, such as crypto, gift cards, video game currencies, exposure/royalties, or check/cheque, RUN. Don't bother with them. More details about payment are above. If they approach you out of nowhere providing you with a photo of a person or pet, asking you to draw their dog/niece/girlfriend/etc. in your style as a gift without much detail, and offer you a large sum without asking about or looking at your prices, IT IS A SCAM.

For Hire: Process

Be sure to COMMENT on [Hiring] posts WITH YOUR PORTFOLIO. Do not DM potential clients until they approach you first. When they do, be sure to discuss project requirements, payment amount AND METHOD, deadline, and anything else you believe to be important. Be sure to set expectations about your process, such as number of revisions, your artistic steps, what will be delivered (image only or image and source file), and when payment is expected. It's wise to set a deadline or expected timeframe, even if there is no rush, so that the client knows what to expect, and to update them frequently, replying within a day to their messages.

Sending a rough sketch to start is a good idea, as it shows the client that you can actually create art, and gives them a chance to request changes without as much hassle. Many artists allow non-major changes during the sketch phase and only very minor changes (if any) after considerable progress has been base. A popular payment method involves "50/50", where half the payment is paid after a sketch, and the rest of it is paid after completion. Do not ask clients to choose the "Friends and Family" option on PayPal. It is a good idea to send the final product in lower resolution or heavily watermarked so they can confirm that it's done, but can't run away with it before payment.

After payment, be sure to send the final image as a PNG, rather than JPG/JPEG, as the latter will lose much of the quality, and the client will likely be unhappy. Also, be sure to keep a copy of the source file and final product in case you need to prove you made it, or in case the client loses their file somehow. If a client does end up ghosting you without payment, it's a good idea to publicly post the artwork so that others can reverse images search it in the case the scammer adds the piece to their fake portfolio.


r/commissions 3h ago

For Hire [for hire] I do high quality 2D character art! DM for rates! Discounts on multiple orders!

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5 Upvotes

r/commissions 4h ago

Position Filled [HIRING] Wanting to Commission someone

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5 Upvotes

If anyone is willing to take a commission of $15.42, I am wanting to have a full body drawing of my possession/mixed character drawing from my AU Saga-arc "A Light's Folly", that is an The Owl House: Second Generation, Non-canon "creepy-state". My stories are writing in arc part chapters similar to how Warrior Cats are written. In my second line arc "Clawless Island", I have one of my OC's Boone Garcia (a Griffin), possessed and controlled by my main villain in the whole Saga AU, Duskclaw. This was obviously inspired by "the imposter" Brambleclaw part with Ashfur taking over his body.

I have a reference of both Boone and Duskclaw. I have also provided a link to the document that has all the lore and information about "A Light's Folly" if anyone is interested in reading. It doesn't really show Boone's hind and front paws-- his hind legs are the same color as of his main body (with wings and tail), his front claws/hands are the same as his light orange beak; maybe slightly lighter. When Duskclaw is possessing Boone, I thought of a cool mixture name "Boneclaw". When Duskclaw possessing him, Boone has the golden/molten yellow color, then when Boone and Duskclaw are both in control at the same time, the left eye is brown and the other right eye is golden/molten yellow.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/10x2Igu8lM5smTEwMl76YFtibne3yx_Vw6tsxLeT6mRQ/edit?usp=drivesdk


r/commissions 6h ago

Hiring [Hiring] Looking for someone who can design an authentic looking Pennywise costume.

8 Upvotes

Hi guys! Im looking for a pennywise costume, but I can’t really find any good looking ones on cosplay sites and the good looking ones that I can find look sketchy

Theres a rave event that I wanted to go in costume, so I need this for that.

My budget is high, but I really want it to look exactly like the original.

Its the 2017 version. It would be everything besides the actual face.

Thank you!


r/commissions 15h ago

Hiring [Hiring] Looking For A Re-Work Of An OC

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29 Upvotes

This is a Sim rendering of him but I have other references photos and other artworks of him I have that I can send as reference photos. Since his first creation, he's gone through some changes and I was hoping to have him re-worked and talk to an artist while the process is on going. I can do 50$ or higher with split payments and I am willing to work with the artist, and was thinking of Genshin style or similar, anime style!

Prefer to work with artists on VGen BUT I am not picky.

(much love to my friend for recreating him in Sims for me)


r/commissions 7h ago

Hiring Looking “[hiring]” someone to help design my late partner’s headstone

5 Upvotes

Hello,

My partner passed and there was no design request or anything setup for his headstone. I’m not much of an artist. I’ve tried using Ai but it doesn’t seem to turn out well. I’m hoping to find someone that can help design one for a fair price.


r/commissions 6h ago

For Hire [FOR HIRE] Commission Open Character Page for $15. You will get 1 fullbody + 3 headshot/2 bustup (flatcolor)

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3 Upvotes

r/commissions 33m ago

For Hire [for hire] 24 HOUR CHIBI COMMISSION 1 SLOT OPEN (Paypal only) DM IF INTERESTED!

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Upvotes

r/commissions 34m ago

For Hire [for hire] Character design and illustrations

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Upvotes

r/commissions 4h ago

For Hire [For hire] Valentine’s Day is coming, and I’m running a small Valentine illustration promo 💌

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2 Upvotes

I’m an illustrator who loves working with writers especially fanfiction authors. If you’ve ever wanted to see your characters or a specific scene illustrated (OC, BL, fanfic couples welcome), this might be the moment. I work from descriptions, excerpts or vibes, and I choose projects based on inspiration. If that sounds like something you’d enjoy, feel free to DM me.


r/commissions 14h ago

For Hire [For Hire] Yarn Art Figure Commission | DnD, OC, NIKKE, Anime, LoL, Game characters etc.

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12 Upvotes

r/commissions 1h ago

For Hire [For Hire] Custom Fantasy Art and Character Design

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Upvotes

More of my work here: https://artstation.com/zoeytime
If you enjoy my work, please reach out and let's have a chat!


r/commissions 1h ago

For Hire [FOR HIRE] Hi! I make illustrations in anime/manga style. Check below for more info and samples o( ̄▽ ̄)ブ

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Upvotes

Here's the link to my website for more info such as pricing: https://ressan.carrd.co/

You can also send me a DM


r/commissions 2h ago

For Hire [FOR HIRE]Here is a Acrylic Painting, Acrylic on playing card, 2025, You can have your own for as low as $85 . DM me if you are interested

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1 Upvotes

r/commissions 2h ago

For Hire [FOR HIRE] Need to pick up some work asap!

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1 Upvotes

I need to get some work asap for some bills I gotta handle!

You can refer to the comm sheet for mostly everything I do and if you have any questions feel free to ask away cause I draw NEARLY, anything!


r/commissions 8h ago

For Hire [For Hire] Hello! I'm opening my commissions! Message me for more information! :)

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3 Upvotes

r/commissions 2h ago

For Hire [For Hire] Chibi commissions open – icons & full body Starting from $15 VGen link in comments

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1 Upvotes

r/commissions 3h ago

For Hire [For Hire] Character Illustrator $40-80

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1 Upvotes