An artwork bill of sale is a binding document that contains the details of parties involved, the artwork description, price, contact information, mode of payment, and other relevant information. It works like a receipt that records the sale between the buyer and the seller. However, you need to research the requirements for the bill of sale completion in your state due to law variations. Every artist should incorporate an artwork bill of sale for tax and record-keeping purposes.
Last Updated: October 2026. This guide is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect current law. If you notice an error or outdated information, please contact us.
Artists who use a purchase agreement to finalize their transactions portray a professional image and are more likely to attract serious buyers. Although you may sell your artwork locally to family and friends in your community, it is imperative to use an artwork bill of sale template to prevent unnecessary claims from the buyer after sealing the deal.
One of the primary reasons is that the document is legal and acts as insurance to protect both parties from liability in case of damage or fraudulent activities.
Since artistic works are also prone to piracy, the bill of sale will clearly state that the artwork is not subject to copyright infringement. The buyer cannot reproduce the artwork without consulting the artist. It is a crime in most states with legal penalties. Hence, the document protects the artist from a dishonest purchaser.
| Document Name | Artwork Bill of Sale Form |
| Other Names | Artist Bill of Sale, Art Bill of Sale |
| Avg. Time to Fill Out | 10 minutes |
| # of Fillable Fields | 54 |
| Available Formats | Adobe PDF, Microsoft Word |
Technology has made it easier for most artists who want to sell original works of art. You do not need to stress yourself about the legal jargon and composing the artist bill of sale alone. Numerous bill of sale templates are accessible online with just one click.
We offer highly customized artwork bill of sale forms on our site that you can download and print. They are also editable in case you may want to add more information to suit your sale agreement.
Although it is possible to consult with your lawyer, you will have to pay extra to get a bill of sale form. On top of that, you will waste time making trips to the law firm to sign more papers before finalizing the deal.
Why go through all that when you can simply download a free bill of sale template online? The template is available in different forms such as Microsoft Word, ODT, and PDF. Select one that is convenient for you and suits your sales needs.
With the FormsPal template, you can:
Fill in the details, download, and print it as you prepare to sell your art to potential customers.
If you are a beginner and don’t know how to start selling your masterpiece or complete a bill of sale, follow the steps below to get started. Describe the piece, decide what to charge, find a buyer, and then record the sale in writing.
Step 1. Describe the Artwork
Exercise due diligence on how other artists describe their work. What do they include? Is it an abstract or realistic piece?
Engage the customers to get a feel for what they are buying. Most art enthusiasts would love to know more about the medium used, the frame, and any relevant information that might capture the interest of potential buyers.
Step 2. Determine the Cost
Next, consider the price of your artwork. How do you come up with a reasonable price that will not scare away potential customers? Research extensively and find out what other artists are charging in your field of work.
Consider how much you invested in materials as well as the time and effort you spent. Your talent and popularity also count when it comes to selling the work of art.
Step 3. Put It Up for Sale
Determine how and where you will sell your artwork. Who are your target customers and how will you reach out to them? Put up advertisements to market your art piece. You can take advantage of social media networks such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to create awareness about your upcoming sale.
If you find a serious buyer, proceed to negotiate the details and come to a consensus. Prepare for a meeting to finalize the sale and discuss how to deliver the artwork.
Agree on shipping and on who pays for it before you sign. Keep a copy of every sales record for your taxes. If a gallery or dealer sells the piece for you, a consignment agreement sets those terms first.
Step 4. Finalize the Artwork Bill of Sale
After the buyer and seller reach a consensus regarding the price and delivery terms, filling in an artwork bill of sale is the next step. It is a simple process that entails writing the particulars of both parties on paper. The following are the details that are usually indicated in the form:
As an artist selling your work, ensure that you make copies of the bill of sale form. The buyer retains the original as proof of ownership. Seek advice from a legal representative for the final seal of acknowledgment. After the buyer pays the money, the sale is complete.
Another important document that you can include in your art sale is a Certificate of Authenticity. It is a legal document that verifies that the art piece is your genuine creation. It protects the interests of the buyer when the value of the art appreciates in the future, and it also acts as insurance if any legal issues arise.
Details to include in this certificate are:
The steps below follow the FormsPal artwork bill of sale template, so you can check each part of your form against the screenshots. But, if there’s a document supplied by your local authorities, it is always advised to use it in the deal.
The screenshots under each step show the FormsPal Artwork Bill of Sale template filled with sample entries in blue, so you can see where each answer goes. The names, addresses, dates and amounts are examples only.
Step 1: Date of the bill of sale
Enter the date on the DATE line at the top of page 1.
Step 2: 1. Seller’s information
Enter the seller’s name, street address, city, state and zip code on one line, followed by the telephone and email address where the seller can be reached.
Step 3: 2. Buyer’s information
Enter the buyer’s name, street address, city, state and zip code on one line, followed by the telephone and email address where the buyer can be reached.
Step 4: 3. Description: names of the parties
Write the seller’s name and the buyer’s name again on the two lines of the sentence that opens Section 3.
Step 5: 3. Description: the artwork
Fill in the title of the art work, the artist and a description, and the purchase price in U.S. dollars. Add the medium and the size so the piece is easy to identify.
Step 6: 4. Purchase date and total price
Type in the sale date and specify the full price that must be paid for the piece(s) of artwork. On page 2, these go on the purchase date line and the total purchase price line. Use the same amount you entered in Section 3, because the two figures should always match.
Step 7: 4. How the price is paid
You must furthermore indicate the selling method the buyer will use:
Check one box. For a deposit, enter the amount, the deposit date and the balance date.
Step 8: 4. Payment method
Check one: Cash, Check, Cashier’s check or Money Order. When the buyer pays by check, write the check # on the line beside that option.
Step 9: 6. Signatures
On page 3, the seller and the buyer each sign and print their name. The form also has two witness lines, each with a signature and a printed name. Add a date beside each signature.
Step 10: Acknowledgment
If you use the acknowledgment on page 4, sign it in front of the notary. The notary fills in the state, county, date, officer name, name of the person appearing and the seal.
Once the form is filled in, read the terms together, sign it and decide whether to add a notary. Keep a signed copy for your records, and give the other party a copy of the signed form as well.
Read the standard terms. Look at standard terms and ensure both parties are familiar with them.
This part generally says that the seller is the owner and they are able to sell the piece legally. It also says that there are no outstanding debts on the artwork and that the Bill of Sale is filled out to the best of the seller’s knowledge.
They usually state that the purchaser obtains the artwork in “as-is” condition and is liable for it after the purchase is finished.
Sign the form. Now, the filled out bill of sale has to be signed.
The buyer’s signature is typically not required. Nevertheless, you will end up more protected from legal problems if both sides sign the bill of sale form. You could also have one or a number of witnesses verify the deal.
Use the help of a notary public.
Ask a notary to witness the signatures, or add a notary acknowledgment page.
In this way, you’ll have more legal protection. Nonetheless, this step is usually entirely optional.
It is a written record of an art sale. It lists the buyer, the seller, the artwork, the amount and how the buyer paid, so both sides keep the same record of the transaction.
Yes. Use the Create My Document button to build the form online, or download the template as a PDF or Word file.
Add the title, the artist, the medium and the size. Mention the frame if it comes with the piece, and add anything else that helps identify the work.
The template lists cash, check, cashier’s check and money order. It also lets you choose between one payment and a deposit with a balance paid later, depending on what the buyer and the seller agreed on.
Make a copy for each party, and keep these together:
A scan of the signed form also works as a backup if the paper copy is ever lost.
Check the deposit option, enter the deposit amount and its date, and then add the date the balance is due. Keep the payment receipts together with the signed form, so that both sides can show when each payment arrived.
Yes. The template is editable, so you can add details that fit your sale.
General information, not legal or tax advice.
