Hello! We’re guessing you have a few more questions about becoming a member of A Fresh Bunch, right?  Right.  Read on!

Okay, A Fresh Bunch helps designers license their art.  But how does licensing work, and do I give up the copyright to my work?

Licensing is like renting your art to someone else for a fee, either a percent of sales (royalty) or a flat fee.  You still own the copyright to your work, except in some cases where the customer wants to buy your work outright.

Do I have to sign a contract to become a member?

Yes.  We have a very simple contract that allows us to represent you on a deal by deal basis, ie, only those deals that we present to you and that you participate in.  Any licensing deals you currently have in force are not covered by our contract.

If a designer has a wholesale line, Etsy shop, studio, or even existing licensing deals, can they still be part of A Fresh Bunch?

Absolutely!  And designers can continue to pursue all of those avenues if they want.  Many member designers find that being part of A Fresh Bunch frees them from the “icky” side of the business, ie, the selling, marketing, inventory management, customer support, giving them an outlet for their work without having to manage a cumbersome infrastructure.

Do you accept every designer who applies to A Fresh Bunch?

No.  Unlike free crowdsourced design sites, we curate membership so that we have the best designers who represent a good range of looks and styles.

Why is there an annual fee of $150?

The fee does stand out and is a bit different, but so is A Fresh Bunch! We conduct courses throughout the year that cover topics relevant to your business as an artist in and out of A Fresh Bunch.  This fee covers this educational component, but it also helps ensure that those who join our ranks are serious about participating actively in The Bunch.  

What percent of royalties do I earn?

Designers earn 60% of every royalty dollar. We do not deduct or charge for direct expenses.  Work sold through our soon to launch Art Marketplace earns 70% of each sale.

Does that amount ever vary?

Yes.  On some projects designers earn more than 60%.

What’s a typical royalty rate?

It varies by client and can be anywhere from 3 – 10% of net revenue, or in some cases, a flat fee.

How do I get paid?

Royalties and fees earned are paid within 30 days of the close of each quarter, and are paid on royalties and fees collected (not accrued) in that prior quarter, subject to a minimum of $100.

What if I can’t participate regularly?

No worries, that’s why we have a bunch of designers working concurrently.  You are always able to access all of the customer information and discussion forums even if you are not actively participating.  We understand that sometimes life gets in the way and we don’t think that you should have to give up design opportunities to accommodate that. 

Can every designer participate in every project?

No. On some projects we limit participation based upon the customer’s needs (timing, specific look or style). 

What are the timeframes on projects  like?

It depends upon the customer, so the length each project varies based upon the customer’s deadlines.  For AFB projects like submissions to The Marketplace, timeframes are generally 3-4 weeks.

Is art direction part of each project?

Yes! We work closely with customers to understand their needs and accurately convey those needs to designers.  Being able to take some art direction is key to being successful through AFB.  We pair art direction with training on the technical aspects of designing successfully for each customer.

How much can a designer typically earn as a member of A Fresh Bunch?

It really depends upon how willing you are to take some art direction, which projects you work on and finally, how much of your work is accepted by AFB or the customer.  To date, our most active designers earn in the four to five figure range on an annual basis.

What else does the AFB team do for members?

A lot! In addition to helping you focus on and get paid for doing what you love, through A Fresh Bunch you get exposure on our website, Facebook page, Twitter and Pinterest accounts, as well as at Surtex and in the press.

Does all this take place on the web, or does the group ever meet in person?

This does all take place on the web but we do have monthly webinars so you can ask questions live and chat with the AFB team and fellow designers.

What do current members say about being in A Fresh Bunch?

I know the work that I do for A Fresh Bunch will actually be looked at with the finest trained eye. It is not a competition with a thousand other people, it is a group effort with a smaller group of highly talented people. I know that the end of the day, I will get positive feedback and I know I have a greater chance of actually seeing the benefits in my pocket book. I just wanted to extend my appreciation for all that you do! Thanks for taking this small fish in the big sea and giving me a chance. Thanks for boosting my confidence and making me feel like a “real” designer after being in the industry for almost 10 years! I can finally say that I actually LOVE MY JOB and to think it can be profitable with out all of the headaches? – yahoo!!!

- Angie Bowman, InkSpotts Stationery

It’s definitely a lot for one designer to manage when they (Etsy, other online stores) all are such different projects and businesses within themselves. To have AFB find and offer opportunities, plus have direct knowledge/contact/insight into what these clients are looking for, then manage that relationship and provide a way for designers to just design and receive commission from our designs is more than awesome! I think it is really, really great and something that so many designers can benefit from.

- Jenn Scholes, Inkberry Cards

One of the strengths I think you guys have at AFB is in seeing what works and redirecting to that while pivoting away from the things that don’t work. It seems like common sense but hard to see that while you are in the thick of something and have invested time and effort in building it.

- Wendy Fessler

I started my wholesale business during the “we can do everything so we should” era, or in other words, “pre-recession” era. As soon as I started, I realized that I shouldn’t have for all these reasons : inventory, shipping, fulfillment, trade shows, marketing, sales. I much prefer designing [through AFB]…I’d rather do what I love. I have more time to do more quality designing and spend less time hating what I’m doing.

- Margot Madison

Being a part of AFB has helped me focus on the things that I am best at and that I enjoy. I was worn out from trying to run my wholesale and retail stationery design business as a one woman show. I am the sole deisgner, sales/marketing, printer, packager, shipping department and accountant for my small business, not to mention a wife, mom of 3 , an athlete and the “yes” person to all volunteer opportunities! I was looking for a way to continue the things I love about my business–the creative outlet, working from home, etc… but I needed to slow down and re-focus. So I scaled back on my wholesale and retail business, got rid of many products I was offering and tried to enter the world of licensing for several months to no avail.  Then I was approached by AFB. It was like an answer to all my prayers! I now have access to clients that I could have only dreamed of getting in front of, and I love being part of a group of wonderfully supportive and talented designers. I have already learned so much and my designs are being pushed to a new level – it is so invigorating!

- Kamie Rudisill