DACS’ annual Payback scheme pays illustrators, artists and photographers royalties for the reuse of their images that have been published in UK books, magazines or on TV. From, for example, photocopying by schools, universities and companies.

This year they have £5 million to distribute. Sign up now and claim your share of royalties.

Last year, DACS paid over 92,000 artists, illustrators and photographers a share of £5.2 million in royalties. Individual payments were up to £357 for books and magazines and over £2,000 when also claiming for TV.

How to claim

To claim, you need to register at payback.dacs.org.uk by 16 February and tell DACS in which magazines and books your work has been featured.

Creators have until 12 April to claim for the use of their works on television during 2023, as well as complete their Part 2 publications claim. DACS then pays royalties to visual creators in the autumn

Paying visual creators since 1999

Since the scheme’s founding 25 years ago, DACS has paid out a total of over £75 million in Payback royalties. For many working artists, Payback provides additional income, helping to pay for materials, studio rent and bills, especially at a time when many are seeing an increase in the cost of living.

Emma Hart, artist and Payback claimant, said: ‘This is only my second year claiming Payback and I wish I had done it earlier. Payback is literally an opportunity to get some payback, and makes me feel like I’ve done something to try and redress the unfair unpaid labour of an artist.’

Christian Zimmermann, CEO, DACS said: “Since 1999, DACS has distributed over £75 million in Payback royalties. For many visual artists, Payback is an important part of their income, helping to cover necessary expenses such as materials, studio rent and bills. This is particularly crucial in light of the prevailing rise in the cost of living and we are working hard to increase the royalties available for distribution, by streamlining our processes and by finding new sources of revenue.”