Music Royalties Explanation Part 4 - Lyric and Print Royalties with Bobby Borg

Why It Matters

Print royalties, though small, remain a viable income source and digital platforms are reviving their relevance, making it essential for songwriters to grasp the mechanics and negotiate fair splits.

Key Takeaways

• Print royalties now represent a small portion of music income.
• Single-sheet music yields ~20% of retail price to publisher.
• Songwriters receive roughly 10-12 cents per $5 sheet sale.
• Folios and matching folios pay about 10% of suggested retail.
• Digital sheet‑music platforms may revive print‑royalty revenues for songwriters.

Summary

The video breaks down lyric and print royalties, zeroing in on the print‑income side of a songwriter’s earnings. It explains that while print royalties once dominated the market, today they constitute only a modest slice of overall revenue, especially as streaming and digital sales take precedence.

Borg outlines the four main print products: single‑sheet music, folios, matching folios, and mixed folios. Single‑sheet sales typically generate a 20% royalty on the suggested retail price, with the songwriter pocketing roughly 10‑12 cents per $5 sheet. Folios, matching folios, and mixed folios each pay about 10% of the suggested retail price to the publisher, with the writer receiving roughly half of that amount based on wholesale calculations.

He illustrates each category with real‑world examples—a $5 sheet at Sam Ash, a Pink Floyd matching folio that mirrors the album cover, and a mixed‑artist guitar anthology. Borg also shares a personal anecdote about lyric reprints: his 2003 Musicians Handbook needed a Cypress Hill lyric license, underscoring that any lyric reproduction triggers a royalty obligation.

The takeaway for creators is clear: even modest print royalties can add up, especially for popular ballads, and digital sheet‑music services are opening new avenues that could boost this once‑dormant revenue stream. Understanding the percentage splits and contract terms empowers songwriters to capture every available dollar.

Original Description

Music Royalties Explanation Part 4 - Lyric and Print Royalties with Bobby Borg - explain music royalties in plain english. See book: Introduction to Music Publishing for updated version. Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW0G4pYSe2QseTsIv60aVHDmrLSzyGRub

In Music Royalties Explained, Bobby Borg and Michael Eames break down music publishing royalties simply so that songwriters, music artists and musicians understand how to collect their money and what may be coming to them.

In this video, Bobby Borg and Michael Eames explain Print Royalties. For updated information, please be sure to see our new book here https://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Music-Publishing-Musicians-Perspectives-ebook/dp/B0F6RY5YLH/ref=sr_1_3?crid=R7EA4TP2ORYL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.hC9gQl3prI3bTyt4DAyfif47cHNcXOYrrGhquuuT7Kzv4RFpLOXiRr2LAymiEhU0oN2_HpcTmJhfnbH3qAIIlIgj4BBNEk690LZj3ZPxE6YniimVtbJLfOrm9d8o5MXOiwR6hEg0Iz_V0SJDpomOLYyxm754qmak8y0WcIdDgRPdKT1JxXXTfot4G_3DayLucsaG-FRn___dNjBs1_a2vjTFrrbH6xOiVLBvZNsthf4.bzmTqv30YpykZSDc7ZRKXkD_lSTHkQ7upPiXA4khoCc&dib_tag=se&keywords=bobby+borg&qid=1765775591&s=books&sprefix=bobby+borg%2Cstripbooks%2C127&sr=1-3

This video is designed for artists searching for clear answers about music copyright, music publishing, song ownership, copyright protection, artist rights AND MUSIC ROYALTIES. If you are a musician trying to understand how to copyright your music, how publishing works, or how copyright law affects your songs and recordings, this video covers the foundational copyright knowledge every music artist needs.

Bobby Borg is a music business educator known for teaching artists about music copyright, publishing, royalties, contracts, and artist rights. Michael Eames brings additional perspective on copyright law, ownership, and protection for music creators. Subscribe to Bobby Borg Music Business Education for in-depth videos on music copyright, music publishing, music industry contracts, and building a sustainable music career as an independent artist.

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00:00 Introduction to Music Publishing

00:10 Print Music Royalties

05:17 Division of Print Income

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====WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BOBBY BORG=====

🎓WHO? Bobby Borg is a former major label, indie, and DIY recording and touring musician (with the rock groups Beggars & Thieves, Left For Dead, and Warrant) 💯, the author of several music business books (Music Marketing For The DIY Musician, Business Basics For Musicians and Introduction to Music Publishing For Musicians📕, and a professor of music industry studies (at USC Thornton School of Music)🏫. Bobby Borg holds several degrees in music, marketing, and communications from Berklee College of Music, UCLA and USC 🎓. Borg is available for one-to-one consultations via https://www.bobbyborg.com

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