Once you have identified an illustrator, you should supply them with a detailed brief of what you want. Be specific. Ensure that line weights, amount of detail and contrast levels will be adequate for production.

If text is included in the illustration, ensure that it will be legible at the size it will be used in the publication. Some illustrators work with layers in Photoshop or Illustrator so the text can be edited or corrected.

Suggested specifications to include in your brief or discuss with the illustrator before starting work are:

• purpose (eg type of publication, audience)
• subject (eg particular species of plant or animal, medical process)
• type of illustration (eg line drawing, rendered drawing, watercolour, airbrush, 2D or 3D computer graphic)
• how the illustration will be used (eg A4 printed book, A0 poster, website) – this determines the size and resolution of the images required
• measurements of the area of the page you are using to reproduce the illustration; illustrations are often reproduced at about half to three-quarters of their original size
• preliminary sketches, diagrams or visual ideas
• examples of other work that might help the illustrator with style, and ‘look and feel’
• options (if any) to review the illustration if the artwork does not meet your stated needs
• licensing and copyright (who will own the copyright?)
• delivery or file format (eg scanned file or original artwork).