Publishing FAQs

What will be provided if I download a score?
If you purchase a download of a score you will receive an email containing instructions on how you can download a print-ready pdf.

Can I print the downloaded score and use it to practice or perform?
Once you've downloaded the score you are free to use it in any way you wish as long as you're not contravening copyright and intellectual property law. You are allowed, for example to print the score and use that score for a performance although in some cases actually performing the work, in public, might give rise to royalties payable to the PRS.

Are hard bound, printed, copies of the scores available?
They will be soon! We will shortly be launching a service that will enable you to purchase hard copies of the scores within the Arcomis catalogue.

I've accidentally deleted the copy of the score that I downloaded. Can I have another one?
Yes. Just login and go to 'Manage Account'. Then select 'Purchases' from where you'll be able to download the score again.

Publishing FAQs for Composers

What is the submission charge for?
The submission charge covers Arcomis' administration costs which include approving the score for inclusion in the collection, the creation of preview files, general hosting costs, an administrator to double check the details of the submission, marketing and promotion costs and of course ongoing direct costs such as office space and bank charges.

What happens when my piece is submitted?
Pieces are initially 'proof read' by an experienced Arcomis editor. Submitted pieces are not assessed on their musical merit (how could we do this?!) but rather are assessed solely on presentation: our aim is to ensure that every score in the catalogue, if downloaded and printed, could be used in a performance situation. If accepted to the Arcomis catalogue the 'behind the scenes' staff will create image files, to enable previewing of the score and will then 'accept' the score to the catalogue. You will then receive an email confirming that your work is now 'live' in the collection. We aim to have all scores approved within 28 days of submission.

What happens when my piece is submitted?
Pieces are initially 'proof read' by an experienced Arcomis editor. Submitted pieces are not assessed on their musical merit (how could we do this?!) but rather are assessed solely on presentation: our aim is to ensure that every score in the catalogue, if downloaded and printed, could be used in a performance situation. If accepted to the Arcomis catalogue the 'behind the scenes' staff will create image files, to enable previewing of the score and will then 'accept' the score to the catalogue. You will then receive an email confirming that your work is now 'live' in the collection. We aim to have all scores approved within 28 days of submission.

What price should I set for downloads?
This is up to you! As part of our service to you our editors will contact you if the price that you've set seems to be way out of line with what others are charging. The final decision is yours however! We've set the minimum price at £1 which takes account of the 'per transaction' charges that we have to pay. Our market research indicates that between customers would be willing to pay between £1-10 for a download of a score. It seems that at present the majority of scores are being priced between £2-£5.

What format can I submit pieces in?
Scores can be submitted as sibelius files or in pdf format. If you have a cover or other pages that you'd like to include as part of your score these can be submittes in microsoft word or pdf format. We prefer submissions in (High Quality - Print Ready) pdf format but not everyone has the facility to do this which is why we are offering this service.

What should I do if my piece is in different movements?
It is up to you whether you wish to submit your work as separate movements. There is a charge for each submission however so it may be more cost-effective to submit the score as one work. We prefer scores to be submitted as one file but this is not always possible and we will produce a single pdf if separate files are submitted.

Instruments: If there are doublings in my piece which instrument should I select during the submission process?
All of them! Please tick every instrument that is required for a performance of your piece.

What versions of my score can people download?
At present the public can download electronic copies of the scores in pdf format. Soon we will be able to publish all scores in printed format.

What happens if my score is not accepted?
You will be notified of the reasons and given the chance to resubmit the score at a heavily discounted rate (currently £2.50) to cover additional administration costs. This does mean that all of the scores in the Arcomis collection are up to the highest standards of presentation which will be of benefit to all of the composers taking part in the project in the long run!

Do I get paid if people download my scores?
Yes. 40% of the cost of the download will be credited to your account. Approximately 25% will go towards the costs of the transaction with the remainder (c.35%) being used to help develop the promotion of the catalogue and Arcomis. You will automatically be able to request payment when your account reaches £25 (a similar system as is used by the PRS for distributing royalties).

What happens with regard to copyright?
You, as the composer retain the copyright to your work at all times. Arcomis does not act as a publisher in the traditional sense of the word in that we are only providing a way for people to purchase copies of your music. We do not taking an interest in the IP (Intellectual Property) of your work. You are free to withdraw your works from the Arcomis collection at any time.

Can Arcomis sell printed copies of my scores?
Yes. Over the coming months we will be implementing a system for the purchase of hard copies of scores within the collection. Arcomis will charge an amount on top of the download fee that you have set to cover the extra costs of production of these scores (likely to be £12.50 per score) but you will still receive a percentage of the original purchase price. We will automatically enable this feature on all submitted scores in due course unless you notify us that you only wish your scores to be eligible for digital download.

I've submitted a score but have noticed a mistake with my submission. What can I do?
If your score has been accepted and we have not picked up the mistake please contact us via email and we will do our best to correct the information as soon as possible.

How long will my score remain in the collection?
For as long as Arcomis is trading or until you withdraw it!

I've got another question that isn't covered here int he FAQs?
Please contact us and we will do our best to answer your question. This will also be a help to us as we'll be able to expand our help section. We look forward to hearing from you!