Payments are processed monthly for contributors who meet the $50 minimum threshold. Understanding the payment schedule helps you plan and know when to expect your earnings.
The monthly payment cycle
Cathopic operates on a consistent monthly payment schedule. Here is exactly how it works:
Step 1: Downloads happen throughout the month
Every time a subscriber downloads your premium content during any given month, that download is tracked and will contribute to your earnings for that month.
Step 2: Month closes and calculations begin
At the end of each month, the system automatically calculates total platform revenue, total downloads, and the resulting Price Per Download (PPD) for that month.
Step 3: Individual earnings calculated (first few days of new month)
In the first 3-5 days of the new month, the platform:
Calculates each contributor's download count for the previous month
Multiplies downloads by PPD and commission percentage (70%)
Adds earnings to each contributor's pending balance
Identifies who has reached the $50 payout threshold
Step 4: Payments processed (around 5th-10th of month)
For contributors over $50 threshold:
Payment batch is prepared
Invoices are automatically generated
Funds are sent to PayPal accounts
Email notifications sent to confirm payment
Step 5: Funds arrive (5-7 business days later)
PayPal processes the transfer, and funds appear in your account within about a week of payment processing.
Complete timeline example
Let's say you reach threshold in January. Here is exactly when things happen:
Throughout January:
Your content gets downloaded 50 times
Subscribers using your images, videos, or graphics
Download count accumulating in real-time in your dashboard
January 31st (month ends):
System freezes download counts for January
Revenue calculation process begins
February 1st-5th:
Platform calculates January's total revenue and downloads
Determines PPD (let's say $3.00)
Calculates your earnings: 50 downloads × $3.00 × 70% = $105
Adds $105 to your pending balance
Sees you're over $50 threshold
Queues you for payment
February 5th-10th:
Payment batch processed
Invoice #CP-2024-00123 generated
$105 sent to your PayPal
Email: "Your payment has been processed"
February 12th-17th:
Funds clear into your PayPal account
You can now transfer to your bank or use PayPal balance
What if I am under the $50 threshold?
If your pending balance hasn't reached $50 yet:
Earnings are calculated and added to your pending balance
No payment is processed this month
Balance carries forward to accumulate with next month's earnings
Process repeats monthly until threshold is reached
You can track progress toward $50 in your dashboard
Payment notification and documentation
When payment is processed, you receive:
Email notification including:
Confirmation that payment was sent
Payment amount
Month being paid for
Invoice number for your records
Dashboard updates showing:
Payment status changed to "SUCCEED"
Pending balance reset to $0 (new month starts fresh)
Payment history entry created
Invoice document available with:
Full payment details
Download counts
PPD for the month
Commission calculations
Your tax information
Payment reliability
Cathopic's payment processing is automated and reliable:
Payments are never late or skipped
Process runs automatically every month
No action needed from you (once PayPal is configured)
System handles everything from calculation to transfer
Email notifications keep you informed
Multiple months to threshold example
Here's what happens when it takes several months:
January: Earn $25 → Pending balance: $25 → No payment
February: Earn $18 → Pending balance: $43 → No payment yet
March: Earn $30 → Pending balance: $73 → Payment triggered!
Early April: Calculations complete for March
Mid April: $73 payment sent to PayPal
Late April: Funds arrive in your PayPal
Keeping your payment information current
To ensure smooth payments:
Keep PayPal email address updated in your profile
Maintain verified PayPal account
Ensure PayPal can accept business payments
Check spam folder for payment notifications
Monitor your Creator Dashboard regularly
What if payment doesn't arrive?
If expected payment hasn't arrived:
Check your Creator Dashboard to confirm payment was processed
Verify correct PayPal email is configured
Check PayPal account for incoming payment
Allow full 7 business days for PayPal processing
Check email spam folder for notifications
Contact support at cathopic.com/support if issue persists
Tax documentation timing
For U.S. contributors who exceed reporting thresholds:
Form 1099 issued in January for previous year's earnings
Covers all payments received during the tax year
Sent to address on file
Also available in dashboard for download
The monthly payment cycle ensures consistent, predictable income for contributors while maintaining transparency throughout the entire process from download to payout.
