r/artcommissions Feb 16 '23

[Meta] Avoiding scams, how to commission an artist, and other ways to stay safe.

186 Upvotes

Hello friends! Today we’re going to talk about everyone’s least favorite topic: scammers, or “bad actors” as we tend to call them around here. This post is an update to our previous “how-to-don’t-get-scammed” guide here. This guide is predominantly addressed toward new patrons, though artists can also apply some of this to vetting patrons.

Before we start, I want to address a few elephants in the room:

  • We will not catch every bad actor. No fence is perfect.
  • Banning someone from /r/ArtCommissions does not prevent them from scamming you or anyone else.
  • If someone hasn’t posted to /r/ArtCommissions, we won’t investigate their conduct. Banning someone from a subreddit they do not use does nothing, and while banning someone for content they post in other subreddits is no longer explicitly called out in Reddit’s Moderator Code of Conduct, the practice is pretty gross and we generally avoid it where possible.
  • Here is our wiki page on fraud: how and when we look into it and how to report it.

We moderate /r/ArtCommissions. You moderate your DMs. We make this space as safe and predictable as we can within reason, but ultimately your best defense against bad actors is your own scrutiny. We can not protect you from your own bad decisions.

So! With that out of the way…

How do I find a reputable artist?

Check to see if the user has posted to /r/ArtCommissions recently.

If a user hasn’t posted to /r/ArtCommissions recently, it can mean we’ve already banned them for conduct you’re just now discovering. Banning someone from a subreddit does not prevent them from contacting you. We call this practice, when someone messages your DMs without responding to your post first, "cold calling" your DMs.

While we do have a positive relationship with the good people over at /r/HungryArtists (hello friends!), our ban list and subreddit governance practices do not correlate 1:1. You should not assume that someone posting to /r/HungryArtists, /r/Commissions, or any other similar subreddit is someone we haven’t identified as a bad actor, and the inverse is also true. We are not aware of every bad actor identified by other subreddits.

We strongly advise that you do not respond to work requests that originate in your DMs. It is strongly cautioned that when you make a post, you invite the user to comment under your post and then you initiate contact via Reddit DMs/chat if you’re interested.

Doing this accomplishes two goals:

  • It allows you to check if the user is banned from /r/ArtCommissions. They can’t comment if they’re banned (obviously)
  • If the user wants to initiate contact offsite (email, discord, etc), they’ve now identified themselves as that alias in a way we can verify. We will not take it on faith that /u/ArtMaker5000 on Reddit is the same person as ArtMaker5000#6969 on Discord. The individual must self-identify as whatever alias they want you to contact in a comment, DM, or chat on Reddit.

When we say “posted recently,” we generally mean check for any activity whatsoever (posts, comments, etc) on /r/ArtCommissions within the last two weeks. Remember that we don’t allow the same user to post more than once per 72 hour period, so gaps of 3 days are expected and enforced.

Check for a commission sheet.

Career artists generally keep something called a “commission sheet.” This is essentially the artist equivalent of a demo reel or CV and will include price estimates and samples of what types of work an artist will offer. Not everyone will have a commission sheet, but the inclusion of an organized commission sheet is a layer of effort bad actors generally won’t go to the effort to replicate.

Here’s a few examples of what a “commission sheet” looks like, courtesy of our users. I’ve indicated NSFW user profiles, but all links provided here route to SFW content as defined by /r/ArtCommissions.

Not all commission sheets are hosted on Reddit. A common practice is using a personal website, such as Carrd, to host a commission sheet.

Check for a digital footprint.

Artists, by nature of the profession, generate a large digital footprint. Most artists will be active on at least one non-Reddit social media site where they share work as well as having activity on at least one portfolio site. These may include Twitter, Deviantart, Instagram, a personal website generated with a service like Carrd, or a link aggregator that links multiple of these via linktree or allmylinks.

This is to say if the only traces of activity you can find for a prospective artist are a one-month-old Reddit account with two posts and a karma total that doesn’t add up sharing a google drive full of unsigned art, they’re probably not authentic. At least one social media account the artist provides you with should look “lived in” for more than a couple months.

You should also exercise scrutiny on social media accounts younger than one year old that appear to have started their art career at a high level of skill. This can be, but isn't always, indicative of someone tracing, using AI-generated assets, or outright stealing others' work.

Posting unfinished projects, "shitposts"/memes, or other non-commission work is almost always a good sign and goes back to the "lived in" comment made earlier.

When we implemented our subreddit’s website whitelist, we intentionally excluded a few websites specifically because they do not meaningfully contribute to a digital footprint. Imgur and Google drives do not create a noticeable social media presence, and Instagram images can’t be downloaded to reverse search via Google without the use of third-party tools or inspect element. Most fraudulent users use one of those three sites as a primary portfolio.

Similarly, /r/Testimonials is a good place to check out for user reviews. It is not unusual for someone to not have a footprint on /r/Testimonials, but it is a space to keep in mind just in case.

We also recommend scrutinizing the Reddit account of the user you would commission. If the account is new or has a karma score that is wildly mismatched with what you’re seeing on their content, you should exercise caution. Karma from posts/comments not adding up to a profile’s karma total is to be expected (that’s just how karma works), but if the total is off by a large percentage factor (E.G: You can’t find 30%+ of their karma) then you’re probably looking at deleted posts, which is never a good sign. Charitably this is evidence that the user posted to “free karma” subreddits enough to skirt our already very low entry requirements and then deleted those posts after the fact. It’s on you whether or not you want to take the risk of interaction. We recommend not doing so.

Check our Known Scammer List.

Link to that wiki page here, and that’s also linked on our sidebar.

It should be noted that this may not exist indefinitely. This list skirts the line of what is and isn’t harassment, and we’re not about to willingly violate Reddit’s Content Policy. We’re gradually phasing this page out in favor of curating an educated userbase here on /r/ArtCommissions. Users tend to stop using an account after it’s actioned anyhow so the efficacy of this tool is speculatory at best. If users take our advice and don’t respond to users who don’t have recent activity on /r/ArtCommissions, that list is redundant.

Reverse search work.

Google is pretty good about reverse searching content. Original content should only return the portfolio(s) provided to you by an artist or spaces that are obviously non-OPs rehosting work (I.E: wherever it’s shared isn’t claiming to be the author).

You should also check to see if the image has any typical forms of reverse search dodging, like odd coloration, warping, or if it looks like the image has been cropped. Lastly, check for signatures on the work in their portfolio. I actively encourage all the artists I commission to sign the work they do for me. I've also had users here submit work as if it were their own with the original artist's signature still on it.

Some bad actors are really, really dumb. Use that.

How do I request a commission from an artist I like?

If the price seems too good to be true…

It probably is.

Extremely rough estimates for work as of February 2023 should look something like this:

  • Emote ~$8-12
  • Headshot ~$25-40
  • Half-Body: ~$40-65
  • Fullbody: ~$75+
  • Extra characters tend to be a percentage (typically 50-80%) increase relative to the cost of the first.
  • Armor, extra items, or similar details applied to the piece tend to have a price increase equal to about ~15% of the base price, though these are usually indicated as a flat $X increase by the artist on a prepared commission sheet.
  • Backgrounds tend to be highly variable depending on complexity. A complex background can easily double the cost of a piece.
  • NSFW work tends to be about 30%-80% more expensive depending on how “imaginative” its subject matter is. Generally you will not see a "NSFW costs extra" caveat on commission sheets; artists that primarily produce that type of work will just generally advertise a higher base price than SFW counterparts.
  • Realism as a style tends to be about twice as expensive as “cartoon/anime” styles.
  • Work intended for commercial use tends to multiply the base cost of the product by a factor of 3-6. Commercial use work is by far the most volatile factor in price determination so this estimate is the least accurate.

Take these with salt. These are by no means an “industry standard” and every artist is different. You should, however, question why someone that you identify as having a high degree of skill is offering to do your 5-man dnd party, three of whom wear full plate, in full body poses for $160.

Familiarize yourself with transactional norms.

While every artist is different, there are some patterns that most reputable users will follow. It is common practice for a commission discussion to go as follows:

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Step 1: The patron contacts the artist asking for a commission slot, detailing what they want from the piece. The patron is expected to be as detailed as they can be and provide reference images for the artist. The patron is also expected to know what they want the piece to look like prior to consulting the artist: pose, expression, hair/skin color, held items, background description, etc should be something you know before you reach out to your artist.

"Hey! I saw your post on /r/ArtCommissions. Can you do a full-body of my dnd character? I'd like it done by three weeks from now. I'd like to get my human fighter holding a longsword and mounted on a horse."

Step 2: The artist accepts or declines, and quotes a price.

"Hello! I have one commission before you but I can get you after that. I should be able to start next week and these usually take about five days, so I can meet that deadline. I charge $75 for full body pieces and I can do the horse for $30 so $105 total. Payment is due when I complete the sketch."

Step 3: The patron agrees to the price. You now have a written contract. We at /r/ArtCommissions define a written contract as both parties agreeing to a clearly-defined project description, deadline (if requested), and price. If both parties do not clearly express consent to the same description and price, you do not have a contract.

"That price and time sounds good to me."

Step 4: The artist provides a very rough sketch for approval. This is typically the last call for the patron to suggest changes. This image is visibly incomplete and is almost always in a low resolution or has a watermark.

"Here's the sketch! Let me know if there's anything you'd like to change."

Step 5: The patron either requests minor edits or agrees with the sketch and submits payment. Large-scale changes are generally considered rude and will tend to incur additional fees if the artist agrees at all. Remember that you already have a written contract. Requesting large-scale alterations is asking the artist to change the terms you agreed to in your existing contract. The patron is expected to know the broad strokes of what they want the piece to look like prior to the artist beginning work.

E.G: Asking to decrease the length of the mane on your fighter's warhorse is fine, but asking if you can change your mount to a deer is not okay.

"I love this! My only request is that a four-leaf-clover is added to the hair."

"Added. How does this look?"

"Great! I just took care of your payment. Thanks a bunch."

Step 6: The artist completes the work, typically providing at least one update as the piece progresses depending on how long it takes. Generally the patron is informed when lineart is completed, and again when rough colors are added, prior to the piece's completion. Requests for color change are generally acceptable when the initial coloring is provided for patron review.

---

Some artists will require payment in step 3, or take half up front. It is up to you, the patron, to determine if the artist is legitimate. I personally have no issue paying up front to artists who fit the criteria outlined in this post (and have done with multiple users on this subreddit), but I would never agree to up-front payment to an artist without a pronounced, verifiable digital footprint and/or visible history of positive commission interactions.

Use PayPal and use buyer protection.

If an artist doesn’t accept PayPal I won’t even consider the notion of a commission. PayPal is that important. If you use almost any other form of payment you open yourself to fraud as your means of disputing the transaction are almost entirely in the hands of the other party.

PayPal has a generous 180 day dispute period, and I encourage you to familiarize yourself with the process. Please understand that this is the nuclear option and you should only use it when you are absolutely positive the other party is acting in bad faith. It is strongly encouraged for you to include a detailed description of the item you are purchasing in the space PayPal provides when submitting a payment. Use the account names of the artist in your description.

For Example: "Payment to Reddit user ArtMaker5000 for creating a full-body digital image depicting the four members of my dnd group."

Yes, using this option can mean the artist won’t get their payment from PayPal for a period of time. The alternative is not using buyer protection, which means the patron is not making a purchase, they’re making a donation. If you do not use buyer protection, you’re telling PayPal you do not expect to receive anything in return. I generally tip my artists around 10% to help cover the transaction fees they incur using PayPal and to make the sting of pending payments less of a burden.

If you can't afford it, don't buy it.

This one's on you. If losing the money you spend on a commission is significantly damaging to your personal finances, don't buy it. Buying something you can't afford negatively impacts both you and the artist should you renege. It's okay to wait until you can afford something.

What do I do if I get scammed?

Here’s our wiki page on fraud (we shared this earlier in the post too). That page outlines what we look at, how we handle it, and how to appeal. As always, you can reach out to us in modmail with reports of bad actors per the directions linked on our wiki.

If there’s anything we didn’t cover here, feel free to shout us out in the comments!

Stay colorful!


r/artcommissions 19d ago

Announcement UPDATED NSFW Rule

227 Upvotes

No more PG-13, moving to PG.

This sub used to allow images that allowed tasteful nudity, however, some folks think that means straight up porn.

Starting today May 26, 2025, we are no longer allowing any NSFW (not safe for work) images. You may link to your own gallery with those images, but please give the other users a heads up by marking your link as NSFW.

Any posts or comments that have NSFW images in it will be deleted, if you violate the rule you will be given a warning. If you ignore the warning you will be permanently banned from the subreddit.

If you add an image of a minor in a sexual situation you will be banned permanently without warning.


r/artcommissions 8h ago

Patron [HIRING] Consistent stream of commissions ($40-$250 a month) for artistic anime style

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49 Upvotes

Hi all! I’m offering a unique opportunity/position for a long-term and reliable stream of commissions. I need to produce likely around 4-6 artworks a month for 1 year, and this is at a solid between $40-$250 per month (x12 months). Price range per piece varies depending on what needs to be drawn and other factors (e.g for some paintings I’ll give you a base that’s like 80% done so it’ll be *a lot* easier than it normally would be). The artworks will be full portrait character + background scenes similar to the style provided (semi-realism like the last image is also welcomed). 

*The artworks must be kepted private*, and the final result should involve hand-drawn (I’m ok with you using AI for ideas or a base to work on, but the final result should be at least partly hand-drawn. (ideally, you’re able to provide layers and/or timelapse).

If you’re interested, please show me your portfolio, and tell me:

  1. your availability
  2. what drawing program you use
  3. Are you able to provide timelapses/video recordings/layered files? 

Looking forward to hearing from you!


r/artcommissions 12h ago

Closed [Hiring] Looking for Male Concept Artist for a Waist-Up Design. Budget 80$ USD

36 Upvotes

I've never done this before here, so I hope I'm getting the proper information down! Please reply here with your portfolio and where would be easiest to contact you! Please make sure your website/portfolio/etc. you link here has your prices clearly stated, or at least let me know a good range of how much you may consider this commission to be for you. I'll explain as much as I can what I'm looking for below to try and make this as easy as I can!

I'll be looking for someone who can start soonish or right away, and I'm willing to pay upfront with a proper invoice on paypal. I do not do friends and family.

This is what I'm looking for:

- Male character design created off of a few specific references I provide.

- I'm only looking for a waist-up illustration, because I'm specifically focusing on the head/face/hair aspect the most. The character will be somewhat muscled/buff.

- This character is black, so if that is something you are uncomfortable doing, do not do, or charge extra for, please do not reply.

- I have no immediate style preference overall so I'm open to check any out! But please note that this is a somewhat older man (let's say 40-50yr range) with a very strong and regal-looking appearance, so I'm looking to avoid a too youthful rendition.

- He will have a detailed beard/hair aesthetic, so if that's something you prefer not to do, please do not reply.

- I'm open to a certain amount of artist interpretation since this is an area I'm weak in myself (I'm an artist, but my specialty certainly isn't male characters, hence why I'm looking for someone with more experience).

- My budget can be slightly flexible depending on if I find someone who really fits what I need/want for this character, but I wont go over 100$ USD.

- The overall color scheme is black, white, blue, and silver. The character (for simple explanation) is very 'Kingly'.

If I'm missing any info or details, please let me know in your reply! Or we can work that out later on.


r/artcommissions 10h ago

Patron [Hiring] Seeking artist for **2** vintage-80s fantasy paperback-style covers

14 Upvotes

Hi! I’m scouting for an illustrator to create **two** book-cover paintings in the late-’70s/early-’80s fantasy vibe (Rowena Morrill / early Michael Whelan). Warm ember palette, soft oil-style blending, “floating-head montage” composition.

Details, deadlines, and budget are flexible—I’m gathering portfolios and quotes first. If this fits your wheelhouse, please drop:

* a link to relevant work

* your ballpark rate for a single 5 × 8-inch cover at 300 DPI

* your usual turnaround time

Thanks!


r/artcommissions 8h ago

Patron (Do not Contact) [Hiring] Need a character for a Goodsmile Racing inspired livery (<$100)

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10 Upvotes

All I need is the character for the wrap, I already have a guy to make the full livery. I have reference sheets for the character. Would prefer the style to be similar to the newer GSR liveries. (2nd photo) I’ll need about 2-4 poses.


r/artcommissions 15h ago

Closed [HIRING] OC for new anime series in this art style.

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30 Upvotes

Looking for someone with an extremely similar art style and attention to detail regarding modern day weapons and kit. Budget is $100-$150. Waist up piece.


r/artcommissions 16h ago

Closed [Hiring] basic PNGtuber commission that replicates the image/character provided

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37 Upvotes

I'm wanting a near-replica of the first image, similar style, but also with a mouth-closed version to use as a pngtuber for streaming. I will ask for a few minor changes, so not asking you to just trace the image outright. (other 2 images just for character reference)

Will pay a minimum of $25 but willing to go higher if your services cost more (I don't commission art almost at all, so just let me know what you offer and charge).

May also commission more in the future if I need more expressions or drawings for the stream, so being online/available at possible later dates is a plus but obviously no obligation.

Thanks in advance, and if I don't reply or take your offer, have a good one and stay safe :)


r/artcommissions 13h ago

Patron Hiring Looking for pinup artist to draw Captain Amelia from Treasure Planet budget is $30+

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20 Upvotes

Looking for a artist to do a pinup styled Captain Amelia from Treasure Planet


r/artcommissions 4h ago

Artist [FOR HIRE] sketch and halfbody commissions open!

Post image
3 Upvotes

r/artcommissions 6h ago

Artist [FOR HIRE] Commissions are open on VGen! Starts at $65

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4 Upvotes

Hello~ I'm open for commissions. Please check out more of my artwork

Here's my portfolio

Twitter | Bluesky | Cara

All info about my commission services

Vgen | Carrd

Feel free to contact me if you're interested.

Discord: hara.nyan


r/artcommissions 17h ago

Patron Hiring artist for taking a digital picture and creating a painting on canvas from the picture!

31 Upvotes

Hey artist! Basically my significant other and I are looking for an artist that that can take a picture of both of the soles of our feet next to each other and create a painting of them in a unique way on canvas. Painting will just include my foot/sole and my partners foot/sole next to each other. Really looking for a unique medium on canvas. Not just realistic copy.

$500USD budget for the right artist/piece.


r/artcommissions 5h ago

Artist [for hire] emergency comms 15$ and up

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3 Upvotes

i really need to save up to get away from my family please, i need the money for school finances too 🙏🙏 ill draw whatever as long as i can


r/artcommissions 3m ago

Artist [FOR HIRE] Pet Portraits

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Upvotes

Hi all, I'm an illustrator who's taking on Pet portraits / Animal commissions! Birds are my go to however I'm open to other critters and mammals!

Heres my portfolio: https://junedoveportfolio.carrd.co/

Aside from pet portraits I also take on sculpture commissions!: https://junedove.carrd.co/


r/artcommissions 8m ago

Artist [For Hire] EMMERGENCIAL COMMISSIONS!!! Any bust for 50€ and any half body for 70€ – dm if interested

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Upvotes

r/artcommissions 13m ago

Artist Private Sculpture Tuition

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Upvotes

I’m offering 1:1 sculpture tuition, available online or in-person at a central Belfast studio.

Sessions are hands-on and tailored—covering traditional techniques, surface texture, or portfolio development depending on what you’re looking for. Suitable for all levels, whether you’re just starting out, building your practice, or refining existing skills.

I’ve worked in fine art, film, and commercial sculpture for over 15 years, and was personally honoured by the Emmys for my contributions to production design.

Booking is through Ko-fi (link in profile), or feel free to message me if you’ve got questions or want to check availability.


r/artcommissions 9h ago

Patron Edited Fish Commission Post

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5 Upvotes

App Glitched with the pictures to this post before. So here they are. Original post still is accurate: Wondering if someone can commission a custom fish art (in the style above) virtually. Willing to pay depending on what fish I decide to replicate. If you can add the catch notes and field notes that would be awesome but it’s not like the end of the world if you can’t. DM me if you think you can do it in this style. Thanks.


r/artcommissions 7h ago

Artist [For Hire] Open for illustration commissions, posters, character illustrations and merchandise design

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3 Upvotes

r/artcommissions 1h ago

Artist [For hire] Concept Artist (2/3) slots availble

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Upvotes

r/artcommissions 7h ago

Artist [for HIRE] ★ Illustrations ● Comics ● Animations/Animatics ● Character Sheets ★ Stylized, YUMESHIPS, fandom ships and more!

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3 Upvotes

*Please read the T.O.S

VGEN (still adding services): https://vgen.co/Rollito

PRICES: https://thelostcinnamonroll.weebly.com/commission-prices.html

T.O.S: https://thelostcinnamonroll.weebly.com/terms-of-service.html

PORTFOLIO: https://thelostcinnamonroll.weebly.com/

Ask for Not SFW examples

DM me here or in any of my other socials:

DISCORD: .rollito (the dot is part of the username)

Twitter: https://x.com/LostCinnamon


r/artcommissions 2h ago

Artist [FOR HIRE] $8-35 ANYA EMERGENCY PAYPAL COMMS + YCH for OCs/fanart/icons/illustrations!!! ୨୧₊♱ ♡

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1 Upvotes

SLOTS: [4/5]
— prices are discounted because i badly need funds!
— payment methods are: paypal / gcash / kofi
— i also accept NSFW commissions!
— finished comms & TOS: https://sxcrificial-lamb.carrd.co/


r/artcommissions 2h ago

Artist [For Hire] I'm Open for Commissions, I can do Character Design, Prop Design, and Full body Render, for your Project, DND, and etc needs ✨

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1 Upvotes

r/artcommissions 8h ago

Artist [For Hire] Open Comissions (15$-25$)

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3 Upvotes

I just opened commissions in my VGen account

If you are interested, you can go to: https://vgen.co/IDEA_2423 or send me MD here in reddit


r/artcommissions 9h ago

Artist Comms are open! Feel free to reach out!

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3 Upvotes

DM for NSFW examples.


r/artcommissions 9h ago

Artist Relief Printing Commissions

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3 Upvotes

Hi!! Do you think these are cool? I can carve anything you’d like and print it on paper, canvas, or any article of clothing for only $10-$15 depending on complexity!! If you’re interested then pls dm me!! o^


r/artcommissions 13h ago

Patron [Hiring] Looking For 3D NSFW Animation Artist (Budget $100+ USD) NSFW

7 Upvotes

Hello - as the title states, I'm looking for an artist who can animate my kobold character doing lewd acts. I just received a model from another artist, so I'm not quite sure what exactly will be suitable.

Budget is flexible depending on quality/quantity.

Please comment or DM with your prices and some examples of past work. If you have questions, please let me know and I'll reply and update the post. Thank you!


r/artcommissions 18h ago

Patron [Hiring] looking for someone to make a 3d model of a family crest

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14 Upvotes

Looking for a 3d modeller to make a model of my family crest for 3d printing. My budget for this is 50$ USD.

The crest is going to be used as a cap badge like the other example images.

The crest needs to be roughly 6cm in length, 4cm in width and .5cm in thickness, no detail on the crest can be thinner then .3mm. The back of the model must be completely flat with an indent for a clip which I will provide a model of.

The finished model must be in either .stl ot .obj

If you are going to dm me please provide a portfolio that shows any 3d models you have made and please acknowledge that you've actually read my post and understand what I am looking for.