Commission Order Notifications & What to Do When Delivery or Approval Is Overdue

For Artists

Who it's for: Draw Market artists Last updated: 2026-11-02

We want artists and buyers to know exactly what to expect from commission notifications, how the process works, and what to do in tricky situations — so every commission wraps up smoothly. (This article covers commission orders, including both regular and verified artists.)

1. What to do once an order starts

The moment an order is started (usually after the buyer pays), the delivery countdown begins. Treat it as a real deadline:

1. Keep the buyer posted. Don't wait to be asked — proactive updates save everyone time.
2. Speak up early about issues. If the direction, references or revision scope is unclear, confirm it in-platform first so you don't redo work after delivery.
3. Deliver stage by stage. For staged orders, submit each stage on schedule. A stage draft is not the final piece — delivery only counts when you submit the final.
4. Follow up on approval. Once you deliver, watch for the buyer's feedback, and if changes are needed, confirm the next delivery date.
5. If you can't make it, act early (see section 5) instead of explaining after the deadline.

Note: if you delete a submission after uploading it, the system treats the order as undelivered.

2. What notifications artists get

Notifications go out via in-app messages and email. They're fulfillment notices and can't be switched off — thanks for understanding.

3. What notifications buyers get

You're not the only one getting reminders — we also nudge the buyer as the order progresses, so the deal keeps moving:

4. What if the buyer doesn't approve your delivery

1. We keep nudging the buyer, sending reminders at several points in time.
2. Reach out yourself. Message the buyer in-platform, politely ask them to move the order forward, and keep the record.
3. If it drags on, you can request help with settlement. If the buyer hasn't approved for a long time, has gone silent, or has concerns but won't reply — and you've confirmed the work is delivered — contact support to request settlement. We'll help complete it following the standard process.

Suggested steps:

• Deliver on time and leave the buyer a message after delivering;
• If changes are needed, spell out what to change and when you'll deliver next, so a dispute doesn't build up;
• Don't cancel or delete your submission just because the buyer isn't replying.

5. What if you can't deliver in time

The golden rule: say it as early as you can. Buyers are far more understanding about a delay you've communicated than about silence followed by an overdue order.

1. Tell the buyer right away: explain the reason, share your new ETA, and keep the tone friendly.
2. Request a deadline extension: start an extension request from the order details page. It takes effect once the buyer confirms, and reminders restart from the new date.
3. If you truly can't finish, request to cancel the order: cancelling on your own terms is better than stalling, and it stops the overdue clock.
4. Special situations: for health issues, accidents, force majeure and similar cases, if you've already talked to the buyer, contact support through the Help Center and explain. We'll review and handle it case by case.

⚠️ Requesting an extension with no explanation confuses buyers and can leave a bad impression. Whenever you adjust an order's timeline, always include the reason and your new plan.

What happens if an order is overdue and left unhandled:

To protect both sides and keep the marketplace fair, we have an overdue-order policy. Once an order is overdue, we first send you a reminder with a response window. If it's still unhandled, we may act on the buyer's request, including but not limited to: closing the order and refunding the buyer, unlisting all your commission and product listings, blocking you from receiving inquiries and sending quotes, removing you from recommendations, and restricting other features. In serious cases, we may suspend your account.

6. Things to keep in mind

• Don't go silent. An overdue order can still be worked out; going silent is treated as a serious fulfillment problem.
• Don't try to "reset" an order by deleting your submission — the system still counts it as undelivered.
• Don't take deals off-platform or ask for off-site payment — if something goes wrong, we can't protect you.
• Keep your conversations in-platform. In-platform messages are what we rely on for disputes and settlement.
• Watch the deadline, not just the buyer's messages. Reminders are only a backup — fulfilling the order is on you.

Finally, if you have questions about the rules or ideas to improve how the platform works, reach out to support. We read and evaluate every suggestion.

For Buyers

Who it's for: Draw Market buyers Last updated: 2026-11-02

We want you to know exactly what to expect from commission notifications, how the process works, and what to do in tricky situations — so every commission goes smoothly. (This article covers commission orders.)

1. What to do once an order starts

Once an order is started (usually after you pay), the artist begins working. To keep the order moving, do these three things:

1. Check in on the order regularly. Watch for the artist's messages and delivery records, and don't stay logged out for long.
2. Raise questions early. For requirement changes, extra references or revision notes, talk to the artist in-platform and agree on when the changes will be delivered — it avoids back-and-forth at approval.
3. Respond as the order progresses:

• The artist submits a stage draft (staged orders) → confirm it or ask for changes promptly; the artist can only move on after your confirmation;
• The artist submits the final → if it looks right, approve the delivery promptly, which is what triggers the artist's payout;
• Changes needed → say exactly what to change and when you expect the next delivery.

Note: leaving an order unapproved keeps it hanging — it blocks the artist's schedule and affects your buyer reputation.

2. What notifications buyers get

Notifications go out via in-app messages and email. They're fulfillment notices and can't be switched off — thanks for understanding.

3. What notifications artists get

You're not the only one getting reminders — we also nudge the artist as the order progresses, so the deal keeps moving:

4. If you leave the artist's delivery unapproved for a long time

First, the rule:

If you don't approve a delivery for a long time, and the artist confirms the work is delivered and requests settlement, we'll help complete the settlement following the process and pay the artist.

So here's what to do:

1. Approve on time. Check the work against what you asked for; if it's fine, approve the delivery — that's the easiest path for both sides.
2. Be specific when something's off. If changes are needed, spell out what to change and when you expect the next delivery — don't go silent or answer vaguely.
3. Requests made after approval may fall outside the original order's protection, so sort them out before you approve.
4. If you genuinely can't handle it in time, reply to the artist or contact support, so the order doesn't drift into settlement.
5. If you disagree with the transaction, talk to the artist first; if you can't agree, contact support.

5. If the artist is overdue and unreachable

1. We remind the artist first. Before and after the deadline, the system sends the artist deadline and overdue reminders with a response window.
2. You can request to cancel the order. If the artist misses the deadline, start a cancellation request from the order page — no need to keep waiting.
3. If the artist is unreachable, contact support. Share the order number, your conversations and how overdue it is. We'll verify the order status and act on your request, including closing the order and refunding you.
4. We take action on the artist. To protect both sides and keep the marketplace fair, we have an overdue-order policy. For artists who are overdue and unresponsive, we may unlist their commission and product listings, restrict taking orders and sending quotes, remove recommendations and limit other features; in serious cases, we may suspend the account.

Suggested steps:

• If you see no progress and no response before the deadline, leave a message in-platform first;
• If nothing arrives after the deadline, start a cancellation request or contact support quickly instead of waiting it out;
• Keep all communication in-platform — off-site private chats can't be used as grounds for platform action.

6. Things to keep in mind

• Don't stay logged out for long. Order reminders can't be switched off, but checking yourself beats relying on them.
• Don't pay off-platform. Off-site transactions aren't covered — we can't step in if there's a dispute.
• Be specific about changes. Replying only "not happy" keeps the order stuck; clear notes shorten the cycle a lot.
• Approve deliveries promptly so the order doesn't drift into assisted settlement.
• If the artist goes silent, stalls, or asks for off-platform payment, contact support right away with the order number and screenshots to report it.

Finally, if you have questions about the rules or ideas to improve how the platform works, reach out to support. We read and evaluate every suggestion.