Balance Deposits for art commissions
Commissions run on trust in both directions. A deposit at checkout and a balance you trigger when the work is done makes the money part predictable.
The usual plan
Most artists take 50% at order and the balance on completion, before the piece ships or the file is delivered. Set the deposit at 50% and the balance rule to 'when the order is ready'; when you finish, press mark ready and the balance is charged within minutes. For large pieces, a three-stage schedule (deposit, midway, completion) is an instalment plan with two payments.
Example: £850 portrait commission, 50% deposit, balance on completion. £425 at checkout, £425 the day you mark it ready, shipping held until it clears.
Selling a commission as a product
Create a product per commission type (A3 portrait, pet portrait, custom illustration) with the options as variants, attach the deposit plan, and let customers order without a back-and-forth about invoices. Details and reference photos come through the product's line item properties or a follow-up email.
Digital delivery
For digital commissions the fulfilment hold still applies to the Shopify order, and the delivery email or file link is something you send after the balance clears. The morning digest tells you which commissions were paid overnight.
Slow months and cancellations
If a client goes quiet, the reminders keep going without you: a notice three days before, retries with a pay link, then an overdue nudge every three days. If they cancel, cancel the plan and keep the deposit according to your policy.
Questions
Can I take the balance before I start rather than on completion?
Yes, use a number of days after the order instead. Some artists take 100% on a fixed date before starting; that is a plan with a short balance window.
Can a client pay the balance early?
Yes, from the pay now button on their payment page.
Do I need Shopify Payments?
For automatic charges yes, or PayPal Express. On other providers the client gets a pay link on the due date instead.
Not on the list?
If your customers commit before the work is done, Balance Due fits. Tell us what you sell and we will suggest a plan.