FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Art Boards - selecting, sharing and submitting artwork
Do I need to log-in to browse for artwork?
No, you are not required to log-in to browse all of the artwork shown on our website. You can even save favorites to Art Boards feature to store artwork without logging-in. However, you will need to create a profile and officially “log-in” to utilize all the enhanced features of the Art Boards.
What are Art Boards?
Art Boards are easy-to-use online filing cabinets for website visitors to help them gather, organize and save images. Multiple Art Boards can be created to allow manufacturers to easily manage and share their selections with internal team members during their art selection and review process. When finished, visitors can then submit their Art Board(s) to MHS in order to request higher resolution files, request additional reference materials or simply to confirm availability in their product categories.
How do I add images to my Art Boards?
When you find an image of interest, simply click the add to Art Board icon located below every image. The image will automatically be saved to the default or active Art Board of your choice. Multiple Art Boards can be created and named to help organize image selections.
What is the difference between "Share" and "Submit" Art Boards?
Sharing is typically used to send images selections to internal team members during the reviewing and selection process. Simply put, MHS does not monitor nor follow-up shares. Submitting on the other hand, will send your selections to MHS for follow-up. This could be to check availability, request hi-res files or for more reference materials.
Artists Seeking Representation
How big does my portfolio need to be to get started?
There is no magic number but we have found that a minimum of 25 images or collections provide enough material to make initial compelling presentations to potential licensees.
I am just learning Photoshop, how proficient at creative software should I be?
At the very minimum we need you to be able to capture and transfer your artwork to us electronically. We welcome art created in traditional media or digital, but ultimately it has to be electronically captured for ease of transfer and archiving. It is ideal if you are so proficient that you can actually apply your artwork to product templates digitally to make even more impactful presentations to potential licensees.
How much money can I expect to make in the first year of licensing?
Building a licensing program is a relatively long process and should be considered a marathon and not a sprint. It may take 18 months before the first royalties start rolling in due to decision making lead-time, market timing, product development and buying lead-times. The object is to build a steady stream of income over the life of the licensing program.
How much new artwork should I create and submit over the course of a year?
The most successful licensed artists provide a steady stream of new art. There is a direct correlation between the amount of new work provided and the income potential for that licensed artist. The market has a somewhat insatiable demand for new art and those who are able to meet that demand succeed. If we have to put a number on it, one collection of new images per month is a good benchmark.
I’m interested and want to learn more. What should I do?
For more information, please contact us at [email protected].
ART & BRAND LICENSING
What is Art and Brand Licensing?
“Art and Brand Licensing” is essentially a business transaction that allows a manufacturer to use certain images or artwork from an artist or brand on certain products for a specified period of time. The manufacturer is the “Licensee” and the artist or brand (property owner) is the “Licensor.” MHS brings these parties together and acts as the “Agent.
What is the advantage of Art and Brand Licensing?
Manufacturers turn to licensing for a number of reasons. This could include supplementing the efforts of their in-house development teams, finding specific art that their customers are asking for, or simply ensuring they have access to the most trend forward, commercial art or brand that is available.
What is the advantage of licensing from MHS and their Art Brands?
MHS Licensing and Consulting’s 25+ years in business has taught us to make the job of the manufacturer as easy as possible by delivering exceptional customer service, a wide range of styles of art and a keen understanding of what sells in the marketplace. We are experts at what we do and our licensee (manufacturer) partners benefit from that expertise.
What is the business model for Art and Brand Licensing?
The transaction is typically royalty-based, meaning that for every piece of product sold that bears the licensed art, a percentage of that sales price goes back to the artist/agent. Sometimes advances against those royalties are required and sometimes minimum guarantees over the term of the agreement are required. All of these points are negotiable and it is to everyone’s advantage to find the terms that are fair to all.
What are the royalty rate ranges?
Royalty rates are usually based on the product category and vary widely depending on art brand, artwork quantity, number of items and channels of distribution that the product will be sold into. If for instance the product is sold into the mass channel (Target, Walmart, Costco, etc.), royalty rates tend to be in the lower single digits due to the sheer volume of products being sold. If however products are sold into specialty and gift channels, the rates will be much higher to offset the smaller volume, and recognize the higher margins involved. Other factors such as how much development the artist is responsible for, and how many product types are involved, may also affect the royalty rate.
What can I expect to get from an MHS Licensing Art Brand?
Our artists are very accommodating and in some cases will do product mockups, complete with pantone color guides for their licensees. If our artists are not available to do it, MHS has an in-house team that can also aid in development. Our goal is to make the jobs of our partners' creative directors and product development teams as easy and efficient as possible.
I’m interested and want to learn more. What should I do?
For more information, please contact us at [email protected].
Licensing Consulting
What is “Licensing?”
“Licensing” is essentially renting the use of intellectual property for use on your products. The owner of the intellectual property is the Licensor. The manufacturer, or maker and seller of the products is the Licensee. MHS Licensing + Consulting brings these parties together and is the Consultant. As the Consultant we represent the Licensee (manufacturer).
What are the benefits of licensing?
Associating your products with known licensed properties gives your products instant credibility, higher recognition by buyers and consumers, and differentiates you from your competition. In most cases Licensees can sell their products at a higher price when it is accompanied by a known licensed property.
What kinds of intellectual property could be involved?
Intellectual Property can take many forms but typically in our consulting practice we deal with Character and Entertainment properties, (e.g. Disney, Warner Bros), Sports (e.g. NFL, MLB, Collegiate), Corporate Brands (e.g. Kellogg’s, Kraft, Texaco) and Music (e.g. Kiss, John Lennon, Rolling Stones).
What are the benefits of working with MHS?
Our clients usually come to us because they already know they would like to get into licensing and may have even tried unsuccessfully to contact Licensors. When we work with you, we will save you time and money and increase your speed to market by leveraging our 50+ years[1] of combined experience and extensive network of contacts in the licensing industry. In many cases we have already successfully acquired and negotiated contracts with the properties that are of most interest to you.
What is the process?
Working with your senior leadership, sales executives, and product developers we learn your business and become an outsourced licensing department, understanding both the opportunities and challenges to achieving your objectives. Crafting a strategy including evaluation, property recommendations, and acquisition strategies, MHS negotiates financially advantageous deals that maximize profitability and minimize financial exposure. From identifying licensing opportunities through licensor product approvals and royalty reporting, MHS Licensing remains your licensing advocate and problem solver.
How is MHS compensated?
We work on a success-based model. We are paid a monthly retainer that varies based on how aggressively the client wants to get into licensing and then an override on the sales of the products that are sold bearing the licenses we acquired for our client. We are incented to find highly successful properties for you to significantly grow your sales.
I’m interested and want to learn more. What should I do?
For more information, please contact us at [email protected].
Product Development Resources
How is PDR compensated?
We will review the details of your request and give you a custom quote for your project.
What is the benefit of working with PDR?
Our team is well versed in product development for a variety of categories and can create towards a specific trend or develop original themed collections based on our own trend research.
What is the turnaround time?
Project timelines will depend upon the scope of the project and our future schedule.
I’m interested and want to learn more. What should I do?
For more information, please contact us at [email protected].