How should I handle gallery commissions when they take 30-50% or more of sales?

Gallery commissions of 30-60% are common, though many artists find them excessive. You face a difficult choice: you can increase your prices for gallery sales to offset the commission, but risk customers finding lower prices on your website and questioning the discrepancy. The alternative is accepting the lower margin as a cost of the gallery exposure and relationship. For in-person shows and galleries, focus on limited editions at higher price points rather than open editions, and consider whether the venue’s audience and prestige justify the commission. There’s no perfect answer—you must weigh the gallery’s value against the commission cost for each opportunity.

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Asked by an artist dealing with high gallery commissions · Answered by Juan · Office Hours · 2026-05-26