Every commission on IVY follows a defined workflow that protects both you and your client. This article walks through each stage so you know exactly what to expect — and what to do when things don't go to plan.

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Overview of stages

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Stage 1 — The request

When a client submits a commission request they fill in a brief that includes:

• Commission type (e.g. bust portrait, full body, scene)
• Reference images (if any)
• Description of what they want
• Deadline preference (optional)
• Budget or tier selected

You will receive an email notification and an in-app notification. Both link directly to the request.

Tip: Set your notification preferences so you never miss a new request.

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Stage 2 — Review and accept/decline

You have 72 hours to respond to a new request. If you do not respond within this window, the request expires automatically and the client is notified.

Accepting a request

1. Open the request from your Dashboard → Commissions.
2. Review the brief, references, and any notes.
3. If you want to negotiate the scope or price, use the Message thread before accepting.
4. When ready, click Accept and confirm the agreed price.

Once accepted, IVY notifies the client and they are prompted to complete payment into escrow.

Declining a request

Click Decline and optionally leave a short reason. Declining does not affect your account standing. Common reasons to decline:

• Outside your current skill set
• Slot is no longer available
• Content conflicts with your Terms of Service

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Stage 3 — In progress

After the client pays into escrow, the commission moves to In Progress.

Posting Work in Progress (WIP) updates

Clients appreciate visibility. You can share WIP sketches directly in the commission thread:

1. Open the commission from Dashboard → Commissions.
2. In the message thread, click the attachment icon.
3. Upload your WIP image. Add a note if needed (e.g. "Here's the rough sketch — let me know if the pose works before I proceed to linework").

WIP updates are not deliveries — the client cannot mark the commission complete from a WIP image.

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Stage 4 — Revisions

Most commission tiers include a set number of revisions. The revision count is shown on the commission detail page.

What counts as a revision

• Changes to pose, expression, or composition
• Colour palette adjustments
• Outfit or accessory changes

What does NOT count as a revision

• Fixing a mistake you made (e.g. wrong eye colour based on the original brief)
• Typos or text corrections in the piece
• Minor colour corrections to match the reference more accurately

If a client requests changes beyond the agreed revision count, use the Request Extra Revision Payment button to charge for additional rounds. The client must approve and pay before you proceed.

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Stage 5 — Delivery

When the artwork is complete:

1. Open the commission.
2. Click Deliver Artwork.
3. Upload the final high-resolution file(s).
4. Add delivery notes — file format, resolution, any usage terms.
5. Click Submit Delivery.

The client receives a notification and has 7 days to review and either approve or request a final revision.

Recommended delivery checklist

• Exported at agreed resolution (minimum 300 DPI for print, 150 DPI for digital)
• Correct file format (PNG for transparency, JPG for backgrounds)
• Flattened unless the client requested layers
• Watermark removed from final file
• Delivery notes mention file specs and any usage rights

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Stage 6 — Completion and payment release

Once the client approves the delivery, the commission is marked Complete and the escrowed payment is released to your IVY balance within 24 hours.

If the client does not respond within 7 days of delivery, the commission auto-completes and payment is released automatically.

Auto-complete timeline

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Cancellations and disputes

Cancelling a commission

Either party can request a cancellation. If both agree, the commission is cancelled and the client is refunded in full.

If only you request a cancellation:

• The client must approve
• If the client disputes, IVY support reviews the case

Opening a dispute

If a client is unresponsive or acting in bad faith, you can open a dispute from the commission page (⋮ → Open Dispute). IVY's trust and safety team will respond within 3 business days.

See the Policies section for full terms on cancellations, refunds, and disputes.

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Your Terms of Service

You can define your own commission Terms of Service in Settings → Commission Terms. Clients must acknowledge them before submitting a request. Common clauses artists include:

• No commercial use without additional fee
• Artist retains the right to post the work in their portfolio
• Explicit content policy
• Estimated turnaround time disclaimer

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Frequently asked questions

Can I work on multiple commissions at once? Yes. There is no cap on concurrent commissions. Use the Queue feature in your dashboard to limit how many open slots you advertise to clients.

What happens if I miss the 72-hour response window? The request expires. The client can resubmit if they still want the commission. Repeated non-responses may affect your response rate score shown on your profile.

When do I actually receive the money? Funds move to your IVY balance after the commission completes. You can then withdraw to your bank account or payment method via Settings → Payouts. See Payments & Billing for details.

Can I communicate with clients outside IVY? You can share social links, but all commission-related communication and file transfers should stay on IVY. This keeps both parties protected under IVY's dispute resolution policy.

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Next steps

• Portfolio Setup — make sure your portfolio attracts the right clients before commissions start arriving
• Payments & Billing — understand payouts, fees, and tax documents
• Policies — read the full platform rules on content and disputes