Commissioning a fursuit or custom artwork is one of the most exciting milestones in the furry fandom. It turns your character concept into reality! However, with thousands of makers and artists out there, finding the right one—and ensuring they are trustworthy—can be daunting.
This guide will help you navigate the commission process safely, avoid scams, and ensure you get a result you love.
Disclaimer: A verified creator directory is coming soon to FurryGuides. Please be cautious of fake artists and scammers. Always verify reputations on sites like Artist Beware before commissioning.
Where to Find Creators
The Dealers Den
Best for: Auctions and pre-made items.
The Dealers Den is essentially the "eBay of the furry fandom." It's great for buying pre-made suits or bidding on commission slots. Secure payments are standard here.
FurAffinity & Bluesky
Best for: Portfolios and community reputation.
FurAffinity remains the largest archive of furry art. While the interface is older, it's the best place to see a maker's long-term history. Bluesky has become a major hub for current updates and opening announcements—follow tags like #FursuitMaker and #CommissionsOpen.
Trello
Best for: Checking queues and status.
Professional makers almost always use Trello to track their work publicly. Never commission a maker who refuses to show you their current queue. A public Trello board is a sign of transparency.
Vetting a Creator: 5 Steps to Safety
Before you send a single dollar, do your homework.
Check "Artist Beware": Search the maker's name on Artist Beware or similar consumer protection sites. Look for unresolved issues or patterns of ghosting.
Review the Terms of Service (T.O.S.): A professional maker will have a clear contract. It should cover refunds, deadlines, and shipping. No T.O.S. = No Commission.
Reverse Image Search: Scammers often steal photos of high-quality suits. Run their portfolio images through Google Lens to ensure they actually made them.
Ask for Recent Examples: If their portfolio looks great but hasn't been updated in 2 years, ask why. Styles change, and you want to know what their current work looks like.
Talk to Past Clients: Find someone tagged in their photos and politely ask about their experience. "Hey, I love your suit! How was working with [Maker]?"
Red Flags to Avoid
If you see these warning signs, walk away immediately:
"Friends and Family" Payments: Never, ever use non-refundable payment methods like PayPal F&F, CashApp, or Zelle for a business transaction. Only use PayPal Goods & Services or a dedicated invoice system. You have zero protection otherwise.
Pressure Tactics: "You have to pay NOW or the slot is gone!" Professional makers give you time (usually 24-48 hours) to pay an invoice.
Too Good To Be True Pricing: A fully furred digitigrade suit for $500? That's a scam. Materials alone cost more than that.
Lack of Communication: If they take a week to reply to your inquiry before you pay, they will be even slower after you pay.
Setting Expectations
Timelines
Fursuits take time.
Head only: 1-3 months
Full suit: 4-12+ months
Waitlists: Popular makers may have waitlists of 1-2 years.
Be patient, but expect regular updates (e.g., once a month or at major milestones like "foam complete").
Communication Etiquette
Be clear: Provide a clear reference sheet (ref sheet). Don't describe your character in text paragraphs; pay an artist to draw a ref sheet first.
Be polite: Makers are people, not machines.
Be responsive: If they ask for approval on a "Work In Progress" (WIP) photo, reply promptly. Delays on your end cause delays in the project.
Final Thoughts
Commissioning is a partnership. You are paying for a professional service, but you are also collaborating with an artist. Mutual respect, clear contracts, and safe payment methods are the foundation of every great commission experience.
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