When it comes to adding art to home decor, wall decor, and lifestyle products, manufacturers and retailers have two main options: licensing existing artwork or commissioning custom designs. Both approaches have their benefits, but choosing the right one depends on timing, budget, and business goals.

At Wild Apple, we help businesses navigate the art licensing world by offering high-quality, trend-forward collections that are ready to go. But we also know that some projects require something custom. So, how do you decide which option is best for your next product launch?

Let’s break it down.

Art Licensing: Fast, Flexible & Market-Tested

What it is:
Art licensing allows businesses to license existing artwork from a publisher like Wild Apple for use on home decor, wall art, tabletop, stationery, textiles, and more. You get access to a vast collection of designs that are already digitally perfected and market-ready—without the cost and time involved in custom commissions.

Why brands love it:

  • Speed to Market – No waiting for new artwork to be created. Licensed art is ready to go, saving valuable production time.
  • Lower Cost & Lower Risk – Licensing means paying royalties based on sales, rather than investing in a one-time commission.
  • On-Trend & Consumer-Tested – Artwork from an experienced licensor is curated with design trends and market demand in mind.
  • Exclusive for categories – At Wild Apple we license an image or pattern on a category-exclusive basis. That means you won’t see the same image on similar products but you may see it on different products. 

Best for:

  • Brands that want fast access to a large collection of market-tested artwork.
  • Companies looking for trend-forward designs without the long lead times of custom commissions.
  • Businesses that want to expand their product lines with minimal risk.
Product mockups showing art licensing collections imagined on products

Commissioned Art: Tailored, Unique & Brand-Specific

What it is:
Commissioning art means working directly with an artist or design team to create a unique, brand-specific piece. This approach offers full customization but requires a larger budget, longer timelines, and more hands-on involvement.

Why brands use it:

  • Exclusive & One-of-a-Kind – A custom commission ensures that no one else has the same design, creating a unique brand identity.
  • Full Creative Control – Colors, themes, and artistic style can be tailored to match a specific vision.
  • Deep Brand Integration – Ideal for businesses that want artwork that aligns with their heritage, mission, or specific aesthetic.

Challenges to consider:

  • Higher Upfront Costs – Commissioned pieces often require higher design fees, making them a larger financial commitment.
  • Longer Timelines – Custom artwork takes time—from concept development to revisions and final execution.
  • Limited Flexibility – A custom piece is created for a specific purpose, meaning it might not be easily adapted to other product categories.

Best for:

  • Luxury brands looking for signature artwork that’s exclusive to their brand.
  • Businesses that want art that ties into a unique story, brand campaign, or experience.
  • Hospitality and corporate projects requiring site-specific or large-scale custom art.

How to Decide: Licensing or Commission?

Choosing between art licensing and commissioning comes down to a few key questions:

  • Do you need the art quickly? → Go with licensing. Market-ready designs speed up production.
  • Are you launching a seasonal or trend-driven collection? → Art Licensing is the way to go.
  • Are you creating a long-term brand identity piece? → Consider a commission.
  • Do you have a limited budget? → Licensing keeps upfront costs lower.
  • Do you want exclusivity? → Both options can offer exclusivity, but commissions are inherently one-of-a-kind.

For most home decor and retail businesses, licensing offers the best balance of creativity, speed, and cost-effectiveness. But for brands looking for something ultra-specific or storytelling-driven, commissioned art may be the right investment.

Why Wild Apple?

At Wild Apple, we offer the best of both worlds—a curated collection of 45,000+ market-ready images and the ability to customize artwork for unique brand needs.

  • Trend-forward collections updated weekly.
  • High-resolution digital files for home decor, wall art, tabletop, and more.
  • Online Catalogue with over 40,000 images and patterns + the ability to create portfolios to save your favorites. 
  • Art customization for products 
  • Monthly emails that keep you in the loop on trends, new art and new artist introductions
  • Monthly lookbooks featuring curated collections and trends to keep you updated on the latest looks in home and wall decor. 

Whether you need beautiful licensed art ready to go or a customized collection tailored to your brand, we can help.

Let’s talk about what’s right for your next collection.