Bandcamp’s Stripe-based payout system allows both labels and artists to receive payments directly. Under your label’s payout settings, you’ll see two sections: Required and Optional artists. Here’s what each means and how to manage them:
Required Artists:
Artists in the Required section have at least one release that pays them directly. These artists need to have a connected Stripe account, which is either:
Set up by the artist themselves, or
Set up by the label, if you’re managing payouts on their behalf.
If you’re receiving payments for an artist’s release that is not attributed to your label, you can connect a payout account for them in this section.
In most cases, however, artists should handle their own payout setup for non-label releases. If that’s the case, no action is required from you.
To set up their payout account, artists should log in and go to: bandcamp.com/payment_accounts
Because this is a staggered rollout, artists may not have access to that page. If that’s the case, they should contact Bandcamp support.
Connecting a Stripe account for the artist will not affect label-managed releases. Those payouts will continue to route to the label’s account.
Optional Artists:
Artists in the Optional section don’t have any releases that pay them directly. Their payments are routed through your label’s Stripe account, and no action is needed unless that changes.
Managing Connected Accounts:
To review which artist accounts you’re managing directly:
Visit your Connected Accounts page.
This shows all artist pages you’re connected to - either as a label or as a user managing individual accounts.
In summary:
Required artists need a Stripe account if they’re being paid directly.
Only connect your label’s payout to an artist if you’re managing their payments.
Use the Connected Accounts page to review your current connections.
Artists should manage their own payouts for non-label releases whenever possible.