1. Master Asset Definitions (Single-Source-of-Truth Architecture)
A. Digital Negative (DN) — Archival Master
What it is
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Unedited RAW capture
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Includes color calibration target (ColorChecker / gray scale) and measurement rulers
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Full sensor resolution, native bit depth
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No crop, no retouching, no artistic interpretation
Purpose
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Legal provenance
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Scientific / archival fidelity
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AI training baseline
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Future-proof reprocessing
Characteristics
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Non-viewable by consumers
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Zero aesthetic optimization
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Stored in cold archive + checksum verification
Typical Formats
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.NEF / .CR3 / .ARW (camera-native RAW)
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Optional .DNG (archival wrapper, checksum embedded)
Value Positioning
This is the negative, not the artwork. It is the equivalent of a film negative + lab notes.
B. Digital Master TIFF (DMT) — Licensed Production Master
What it is
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Derived once from the Digital Negative
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Cropped, leveled, color-accurate
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No stylization, no sharpening for output
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Museum-grade neutrality
Purpose
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Print production
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Licensing backbone
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Reference for all future derivatives
Characteristics
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16-bit
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Wide-gamut (Adobe RGB / ProPhoto RGB)
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Locked aspect ratio
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Immutable versioning
Typical Formats
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.TIFF (16-bit, uncompressed or LZW)
Value Positioning
This is the master recording. Every monetizable asset rolls up to this file.
C. Derivative / Commercial Output Files (Created From DMT Only)
These are non-authoritative and replaceable. They exist to generate revenue, not preserve truth.
1. Print-Optimized Files
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.TIFF (flattened, print-scaled)
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.JPEG (high-quality, lab-specific)
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Embedded ICC profile
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Size-locked to SKU
2. Web & Marketing Files
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.JPEG
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.PNG
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.WEBP
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Resolution-capped
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Metadata stripped or limited
3. AI / Computational Media Assets
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.PNG (training-safe)
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.JPEG
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.NPY / .PT (internal only, embeddings)
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Prompt-bound metadata
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Style-locked derivatives
4. Motion & Media
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.MP4
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.MOV
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.WEBM
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Generated animations, parallax, short-form video
Value Positioning
These are campaign assets, not masters. They expire, rotate, and refresh.
2. File Hierarchy Summary (One Master → Many Outputs)
3. Licensing Tiers & Pricing (Indicative, USD)
Tier 1 — Archive & Stewardship License
Access
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Digital Negative retained by EFA-ARC
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No file delivery to artist
Rights
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Print-on-demand via EFA-ARC
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Marketplace inclusion
Pricing
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Included with capture
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Revenue share applies
Target Client
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Artists who want zero technical burden
Tier 2 — Production Master License (Standard)
Access
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Digital Master TIFF licensed (non-exclusive)
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DN retained by EFA-ARC
Rights
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Limited print runs
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Portfolio, gallery, and direct sales
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No sublicensing
Indicative Price
$750 – $1,500 per artwork
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(dependent on size, resolution, and demand tier)
Tier 3 — Commercial & Marketing License
Access
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Selected derivatives only (no TIFF)
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Web, press, promotion, ads
Rights
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Marketing, social, websites
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Time-bound (12–24 months)
Indicative Price
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$250 – $750 per campaign term
Tier 4 — AI / Computational Media License
Access
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AI-ready derivatives
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Prompt-locked, scope-defined
Rights
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Generative expansions
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Media, storytelling, motion
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No competitive model training
Indicative Price
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$1,000 – $5,000
(depending on scope, exclusivity, and output volume)
Tier 5 — Exclusive Master Buyout
Access
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Digital Master TIFF ownership transferred
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DN optionally escrowed or destroyed
Rights
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Full commercial freedom
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Transferable / sublicensable
Indicative Price
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5×–10× Standard Master License
Typically $7,500 – $15,000+
4. Strategic Framing (Tell It Like It Is)
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The Digital Negative is not for sale in normal operations. Selling it destroys long-term leverage.
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The TIFF is the asset. Everything else is just execution.
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AI files are not “extras”—they are a new revenue vertical.
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Artists don’t lose control; they gain compounding optionality.
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This model mirrors music masters, film negatives, and enterprise IP governance.
