Billing and Subscriptions in Velveteen
Updated June 12, 2026
Billing shows your subscription status, plan, renewal or end date, payment method, invoice history, and available plan choices. New subscriptions start through Stripe checkout, and active subscriptions are managed through the Stripe billing portal.
Billing is separate from payout preferences. Billing is what you pay Velveteen for your plan. Payout preferences are how Velveteen pays royalties to you.
What Billing shows
Current plan
Displays the plan name, status badge, amount, interval, and renewal or end date.
Manage Subscription
Opens the Stripe billing portal for active billing customers.
Payment Method
Shows the default card, Stripe Link, or no payment method on file.
Invoice History
Shows recent paid invoices and PDF links when Stripe returns them.
Pending trial
Shows a claimed trial offer before checkout. The trial starts only after you pick a plan and finish Stripe checkout.
Starting a subscription
- 1
Confirm your email
Billing hides plan checkout until your email is confirmed. - 2
Choose monthly or yearly
Use the Billing toggle to switch between monthly and yearly price IDs. - 3
Pick a plan
Velveteen sends the selected Stripe price ID to the checkout route. - 4
Finish in Stripe
Stripe collects the payment method, creates the subscription, and redirects back to Billing with a success message.
How claimed trials work
A guide, toolkit, or signup offer can attach a pending trial to your account. The trial is tied to your Velveteen user and stays pending until checkout.
A pending trial still requires Stripe Checkout. You choose a paid plan, add a payment method, and then the trial clock starts. You are not charged on the day the trial starts.
When Billing is blocked
Restricted or suspended accounts cannot change subscriptions until the account status is resolved.
Label-managed accounts show that billing is managed by the label. They can use the label's catalog capabilities without a separate subscription.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I update my payment method?+
Use Manage Subscription on Billing. The Stripe billing portal handles payment-method changes.
Where do I download invoices?+
Billing shows recent paid invoices with PDF links when Stripe provides invoice PDFs.
Why can't I see plan checkout?+
Your email may need confirmation, your account may be restricted or suspended, or your account may be label-managed.
Does a claimed trial start when I sign up?+
No. It stays pending on your account until you choose a plan and finish Stripe Checkout with a payment method.
Does Billing control royalty payouts?+
No. Use Settings, then Payout Preferences, to set payout country, method, and email.
Related articles
Plan features
Artist limits, release limits, pitching, custom labels, collaborator invites, label features, support, and direct-sale fees.
Profile settings
The Settings page: email, full name, store visibility, direct sales, email preferences, and account status.
Submitting a release
The readiness gate before review: subscription, artist approval, dates, tracks, credits, artwork, label approval, and fraud declarations.