I want to discuss the experience of working with contracts as a digital artist from the perspective of when they're absolutely necessary and when lighter agreements work.

The full contract: necessary for projects over $300, projects with complex rights provisions, projects with extended timelines, or any project where the client relationship is new or involves ambiguous expectations. A two-page contract covering scope, rights, payment schedule, and revision limits.

The lightweight agreement: for small, simple commissions from established clients I know well, a detailed email confirmation of scope and price often functions adequately. I confirm the specific deliverable, the price, and the revision limit in writing.

The no-contract scenario: personal commissions from friends or community members at low price points, where the relationship makes formal contract language feel disproportionate.

The consistent element across all scenarios: written confirmation of what I'm making, at what price, with what rights. Whether that's in a formal contract or in an email, the written record matters.