Copyright models
When you submit a design, you choose how your intellectual property is handled. Both models let you earn — they differ in ownership and how future use is managed.
Retained copyright
You keep full ownership of your design. Afterfive holds a limited licence to manufacture and sell this production run only. The work remains yours to use, license, or sell elsewhere.
- ✔ Full ownership stays with you
- ✔ 12% royalty on every unit sold
- ✔ Production licence for this run only
- ✔ You can use the design elsewhere
- ✔ Lower royalty rate than full transfer
Full transfer
You transfer copyright to Afterfive. In return, you earn a higher royalty and continue to earn on any future reprints or extensions of the design. Best if you want maximum earnings over time.
- ✔ 20% royalty on every unit sold
- ✔ Earn on future reprints too
- ✔ Afterfive handles all future licensing
- ✔ Higher long-term earning potential
- ✔ Design ownership transfers to Afterfive
Not sure which to choose?
If you're building a personal brand or plan to use the design in other contexts, go with Retained Copyright. If you want the highest earning potential and are happy for Afterfive to manage the design long- term, Full Transfer may serve you better. You can change your preference when resubmitting a new design-it cannot be changed mid-campaign.
How royalties are paid
Royalties are calculated on profit per unit sold-revenue minus production, shipping, and platform costs. The exact royalty amount per unit is shown in your campaign dashboard before you go live.
Royalties are paid out within 30 days of a campaign closing successfully. Payment is made via bank transfer to the account you register during submission.
No royalty is paid and no production occurs. There is no penalty for an unsuccessful campaign. You are welcome to rework and resubmit the design.