The brief matters more than anything else. Give the artist the location type, square count, mandatory features, exact feature positions, art references, atmosphere, intended use, file requirements, and a real deadline. Most revision loops start because one of those details was assumed instead of written down. A good brief turns the map into a specification instead of a guessing exercise.
Most DMs commissioning a custom map for the first time underbrief it. They send a paragraph of narrative description, maybe a rough sketch, and wait. What comes back can be technically solid and still miss two or three things they assumed were obvious: the scale is wrong, the entrance is on the wrong side, or the landmark they cared about most is barely visible.
That is usually not an execution problem. It starts at the brief. A strong commission brief gives the artist enough structural information to get the first pass close, which means revision rounds become polish instead of redesign.
This guide covers what a custom map commission usually includes, what goes into a useful brief, how to compare a weak brief with a strong one, and how to review the final map without turning a revision into a new commission.
What does a custom map commission usually include?
A standard commission produces a battle map built around your location rather than a generic version of the same environment. Geography, structures, terrain, entrances, tactical routes, hazards, and visual emphasis are shaped by the brief you submit.
Deliverables vary by artist and price tier, but a typical commission may include a high-resolution map, gridded and gridless versions, and one or more revision rounds. Some artists also offer variants such as day and night versions, flooded or damaged states, alternate lighting, or connected floors.
Confirm the exact deliverables, revision allowance, resolution, gridded and gridless versions, commercial or private-use rights if relevant, and the delivery window. What one artist includes in a base price may be an add-on with another.
For Black Lantern Forge commission requests, the starting point is the contact page. Pricing and scheduling depend on complexity and current availability, so treat the ranges below as planning ranges rather than fixed quotes.
What does a custom battle map commission cost?
| Tier | Planning Range | Typical Scope | Typical Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Single | $75 to $150 | One location, gridded + gridless, limited revision scope | About 10 to 14 business days |
| Complex Single | $150 to $250 | Higher detail, multi-level work, variants, or more revision time | About 14 to 21 business days |
| Location Set | $250 to $500+ | Two to four connected maps with shared visual and spatial logic | About 3 to 5 weeks |
| Rush | Often +25% to 50% | Standard scope compressed around artist availability | About 5 to 7 business days when available |
These are broad planning ranges, not guaranteed prices. Complexity, artist demand, rights, number of variants, revision allowance, and output requirements all change the quote. Submit the brief first, then judge the price against the actual scope.
What goes in a custom map commission brief?
A useful brief has seven core components. Each one controls a different part of the final map.
Name the actual place and what it is used for. “Wizard laboratory inside a ruined tower” gives the artist more structural information than “tower interior.” If it is a recurring base, boss arena, social hub, or multi-session dungeon, say that too.
State the size in squares first. A 30 × 30 square arena, a 15 × 45 corridor, and a 40 × 30 outdoor map all create different compositions. If you need a specific pixel-per-square export, list it separately.
List the three to five features the encounter cannot function without, then say where they go. “Bar on the north wall with a kitchen door behind it” is actionable. “Needs a bar” leaves orientation to chance.
Include two or three visual references when possible. “Painterly fantasy” means different things to different artists. Showing the density, palette, linework, or rendering style you want removes ambiguity faster than another paragraph of adjectives.
Give the artist the time of day, weather, interior lighting source, and mood. Moonlight through a broken roof, fungal glow, torch pools, heavy fog, or harsh noon sun all change the map palette and readability.
Say whether the map is for Foundry, Roll20, Owlbear Rodeo, printing, a TV tabletop, or multiple uses. Include desired file format, dimensions, square count, and any platform-specific constraints you already know.
Give the actual session date and the delivery date you need. Leave a few days between the two for upload, grid setup, printing, or a legitimate revision. “Soon” cannot be scheduled. “Session is October 18, delivery needed by October 14” can.
What should the brief actually look like?
“I need a map of an ancient elven ruin deep in a dark forest. It should feel mysterious and dangerous. There's a central chamber where the boss fight happens and some corridors leading to it. Medium size. Fantasy style. Needed in about two weeks.”
Grid: 30 × 30, square.
Mandatory features: Circular central chamber in the middle third; four approach corridors from cardinal directions; collapsed southern wall as alternate entry; elevated platform accessible from the east corridor.
Style: Painted top-down fantasy. Two reference images attached.
Atmosphere: Night, blue-green moonlight, amber torch pools, bioluminescent moss.
Use: Foundry VTT. PNG. Gridded and gridless versions.
Deadline: Session date listed, delivery requested three days earlier.
The complete version does not need to be long. It needs to remove ambiguity. A ten-minute structured brief can save days of back-and-forth because the artist does not have to guess which details are flexible and which ones are encounter requirements.
The brief is not only a description of what you want the map to look like. It is a specification of what the map needs to do.
Why do custom map commissions get stuck in revision loops?
What should you do after the map is delivered?
Do not compare the delivery against a bigger idea that developed while you were waiting. Check whether the map matches what was actually requested.
Go down the list. Is the alternate entrance present? Is the staircase on the correct side? Is the platform actually accessible? Those are legitimate revision points when they differ from the agreed brief.
“The east platform is disconnected from the corridor” gives the artist something concrete to fix. “It does not feel right” does not identify the problem.
Upload the map, set the grid, place a token, and walk through the encounter. Functional issues are much easier to identify before the session than while players are waiting.
When is a custom map worth the investment?
Custom work is easiest to justify when the location matters more than once. A home base, recurring tavern, villain stronghold, multi-session dungeon, faction headquarters, or campaign-defining set piece gets reused enough that the custom layout becomes part of the campaign's identity.
One-off encounters are different. If the party will visit the location once and leave forever, a good existing map pack often gives you most of the value without a custom lead time or custom price. Save the commission budget for the spaces players will return to or remember as major campaign landmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a custom D&D battle map commission cost?
Planning ranges commonly start around $75 to $150 for a straightforward single-location map and move into the $150 to $250 range for more complex work. Connected location sets can run $250 to $500 or more. Treat those as market-planning ranges, not fixed quotes, because complexity, revisions, variants, rights, and artist demand all affect price.
How long does a custom map commission take?
A straightforward single map may take roughly 10 to 18 business days, while complex or connected sets can take several weeks. Rush work may be possible when the artist has availability. Give the artist the real session date and aim to receive the finished map several days before you need it.
What should I include in a custom map commission brief?
Include the location type and function, grid size and aspect ratio, mandatory features with positions, art references, atmosphere and lighting, intended use and file specs, and the hard deadline. The more clearly the brief distinguishes mandatory structure from flexible visual details, the fewer decisions the artist has to guess.
How many revision rounds does a custom map commission include?
It depends on the artist and tier. Many straightforward commissions include one revision round, while more complex projects may include two or more. Confirm the revision allowance and what counts as a revision before paying a deposit. Correcting something that differs from the brief is different from adding new scope after delivery.
When does a custom commission make more sense than a map pack?
Custom work makes the most sense for recurring or campaign-defining locations where exact layout matters. A home base, villain stronghold, recurring tavern, multi-session dungeon, or final set piece can justify the extra cost and lead time. One-off locations are usually better served by an existing map pack.
Can I commission a map based on published D&D content?
An original interpretation inspired by a broad location type is different from reproducing a published map. If your idea is based on an official location, tell the artist you want an original interpretation rather than a copy. The artist can then tell you what they are comfortable creating within their own terms and rights policies.
What file format should I request for a custom commission?
For VTT use, high-quality PNG or JPG can both work depending on transparency needs and file-size limits. For print, request a file with the physical dimensions and resolution needed by your printer. The important part is telling the artist the intended platform or print use before they build the final export package.
Have a location that needs more than a close-enough map pack? Send Black Lantern Forge the location, layout requirements, references, intended use, and deadline to start the conversation.
Start Your Commission →Related Black Lantern Forge Resources
| Map Collection | Browse Existing Battle Map Packs |
| Map Selection | How to Choose the Right D&D Battle Map Pack |
| Best Battle Maps | Best D&D Battle Maps in 2026 |
| Contact | Contact Black Lantern Forge |
