Commissions are fees your organization retains from sales. Crafted Call lets you set default rates and create per-artist overrides for flexible pricing agreements.
Default Commission Rates
Default commissions apply to all sales unless you've set an override for that artist.
To set default commissions:
Go to Settings > Payment Settings
Under Commission Structure, select your model:
Percentage: A percentage of each sale (e.g., 30%)
Fixed Amount: A flat fee per transaction (e.g., $5)
Tiered: Different rates based on sale amount
Enter your default rate
Click Save
Once saved, this rate applies to all new sales across calls and exhibitions unless overridden.
Tip: For most galleries, a percentage (15–30%) is more scalable than a fixed amount.
Per-Artist Commission Overrides
Some artists may negotiate different rates. You can override the default commission for specific individuals.
To create an override:
Navigate to Artists > [Artist Name]
Click Payment Settings
Toggle Use Custom Commission Rate
Choose your override type:
Percentage Override: Replace the default percentage
Fixed Amount Override: Charge a flat fee instead
Waive Commission: Don't take a commission (great for fundraisers or premium artists)
Enter the override value and click Save
To remove an override:
Click Use Default Rate to revert to your organization's standard commission.
How Commissions Apply to Sales
Commissions are calculated and deducted automatically at the point of sale.
Example:
Sale amount: $500
Default commission: 25%
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Commission deducted: $125
Artist payout: $375
The artist sees the full sale price but receives the net amount after your commission.
Sales Channels
Commissions apply consistently across:
Direct sales from your exhibition or call page
Stripe payments and card transactions
Invoiced amounts with payment links
Membership benefits and discounted sales
Transparent Display to Artists
Artists should clearly understand how commissions affect their earnings.
Displays to artists include:
During submission — Commission rate shown in submission form
On artist dashboard — "You'll receive X after commission" for each work
Invoice preview — Commission breakdown before payment
Payout statement — Detailed calculation in payout records
You can also add a note to your terms explaining your commission philosophy:
Go to Settings > Artist Terms
Add custom text (e.g., "Our 25% commission supports curatorial expertise and marketing")
This displays during artist submission and signup
Best Practice: Be transparent about commissions. Artists who understand the value proposition are more likely to participate.
Commission Reports
Track commission earnings and trends in Analytics > Commission Reports:
Total commissions collected (by period)
Commissions by artist, call, or exhibition
Comparison of override vs. default rates
Commission growth over time
Use this data to:
Evaluate which artists or calls are most profitable
Justify commission rates to board members or stakeholders
Identify opportunities to adjust pricing
Scenarios
Scenario 1: New Artist Incentive
Lower commission for emerging artists during their first year:
Create override for new artist
Set commission to 10% (vs. your default 25%)
After one year, remove override
Scenario 2: High-Volume Artist
Reward consistent sellers with reduced rates:
Default: 25%
Override for high-volume artist: 20%
Encourages participation and loyalty
Scenario 3: Fundraiser Event
Waive commissions for a charity event:
Create new call/exhibition for the event
Override all participating artists to 0% commission
Track fundraising impact in reports
Troubleshooting
Commission appears wrong on payout?
Check if an override is active on the artist's profile
Verify the sale date matches your commission settings (rates may have changed)
Review the payout calculation in Payments > Payout History
Artist asking why commission changed?
Confirm if you recently updated default settings
Explain any override agreements
Offer retroactive adjustments if rates were miscommunicated
How do I see what rate applied to a specific sale?
