# GRAPHIC DESIGN CONTRACT

> **Disclaimer — not legal advice.** This template is provided free of charge, as is and with no warranty of any kind, and using it creates no attorney-client relationship. It is jurisdiction-neutral: you are responsible for adapting it, for your own legal and tax compliance, and for having a qualified professional in your jurisdiction review it before you rely on it. Full terms: https://trycolo.co/terms-of-use

**This Graphic Design Contract ("Agreement") is made on [EFFECTIVE DATE] between:**

**Designer:** [YOUR NAME / STUDIO NAME], of [YOUR ADDRESS], email [YOUR EMAIL] (the "Designer")

**Client:** [CLIENT LEGAL NAME], of [CLIENT ADDRESS], email [CLIENT EMAIL] (the "Client")

**Project:** [PROJECT NAME — e.g. brand identity for [BUSINESS NAME]]

---

## 1. Deliverables

| # | Deliverable | Specification | Due date |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [PRIMARY LOGO] | [Full color, mono, reversed; horizontal and stacked] | [DATE] |
| 2 | [BRAND GUIDELINES] | [PDF, [NUMBER] pages: logo use, color, type] | [DATE] |
| 3 | [BUSINESS CARD] | [85 x 55 mm, double-sided, print-ready PDF] | [DATE] |
| 4 | [SOCIAL TEMPLATES] | [[NUMBER] templates at [SIZE], editable in [TOOL]] | [DATE] |

1.1 Anything not listed above is outside scope, including copywriting, photography, website design, and printing.

1.2 The Client will provide a completed creative brief, existing brand assets, and copy by [DATE], and name [APPROVER NAME] as the single person who approves work.

## 2. Creative process

2.1 **Concepts.** The Designer will present [2–3] initial concepts for [DELIVERABLE 1]. The Client selects one concept to develop.

2.2 **Revisions.** After selection, the fee includes [2] rounds of revisions per deliverable. A round is one consolidated written list of feedback from the approver, returned within [5] business days.

2.3 Further rounds, new concepts after selection, or changes to approved work are charged at [CURRENCY] [HOURLY RATE] per hour or a quoted fixed fee, agreed in writing first.

2.4 Concepts not selected remain the Designer's property and may be reused or shown in the Designer's portfolio.

## 3. File delivery

3.1 On final payment the Designer will deliver:

| Format | Use | Included |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PDF (print-ready, CMYK, with bleed) | Print | Yes |
| SVG / EPS | Scalable vector | Yes |
| PNG (transparent, RGB) | Digital | Yes |
| Native working files ([APP NAME]) | Editing | [YES / NO / FOR [CURRENCY] [AMOUNT]] |

3.2 The Designer will keep project files for [12] months after delivery. Requests for files after that date may not be possible.

## 4. Rights and usage

*Choose Option A or Option B and delete the other.*

4.1 **Option A — Full assignment.** On receipt of final payment, the Designer assigns to the Client all copyright in the final selected deliverables, worldwide, for the full period of copyright.

4.2 **Option B — License.** On receipt of final payment, the Designer grants the Client a [NON-EXCLUSIVE / EXCLUSIVE] license to use the final deliverables for [MEDIA — e.g. print and digital marketing] in [TERRITORY] for [TERM]. Use beyond this license requires a written extension, priced at [CURRENCY] [AMOUNT] or as quoted.

4.3 Until final payment, all rights remain with the Designer and the Client may not use any deliverable publicly.

4.4 **Fonts and stock.** Commercial fonts and stock images are licensed by their owners. The Client will purchase any license needed for its own use. The Designer will list all third-party assets used.

4.5 **Portfolio.** The Designer may display the final work and name the Client in portfolios and case studies [after public launch / from delivery]. [DELETE IF THE CLIENT REQUIRES CONFIDENTIALITY.]

## 5. Print and production

5.1 Where deliverables are for print, the Client will review and approve a final proof in writing before files go to print.

5.2 Once a proof is approved, the Client is responsible for any errors in it, including spelling, prices, and contact details. The Designer is not liable for reprint costs caused by errors in an approved proof.

5.3 Color can vary between screens, printers, and paper stocks. The Designer will supply files to the printer's specification but does not control the print result.

5.4 Print and production costs are paid by the Client directly to the printer unless agreed otherwise in writing.

## 6. Fees and payment

6.1 **Total fee:** [CURRENCY] [TOTAL FEE], excluding [VAT / GST / SALES TAX] where applicable.

| Milestone | Trigger | Amount |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Deposit | Signature | [CURRENCY] [AMOUNT] ([50]%) |
| Final | Approval of final artwork | [CURRENCY] [AMOUNT] ([50]%) |

6.2 Work starts when the deposit clears. Invoices are due [NET 14] days from issue.

6.3 **Late payment.** Overdue invoices carry interest at [LATE PAYMENT INTEREST RATE] or the maximum allowed by applicable law if lower. Files and rights are released only on full payment.

6.4 **Kill fee.** If the Client cancels the project, the deposit is non-refundable and the Client also pays:

| Stage reached when cancelled | Kill fee (percentage of total fee, including the deposit) |
| --- | --- |
| Before concepts are presented | [DEPOSIT ONLY] |
| After concepts are presented | [50]% |
| After revisions have started | [75]% |
| After final artwork is delivered | 100% |

On payment of the kill fee, the Client receives rights only to work it has paid for in full.

## 7. Client materials

7.1 The Client warrants that it owns or has permission to use everything it supplies (logos, photos, text, trademarks) and will cover the Designer for any claim arising from those materials.

7.2 The Designer does not carry out trademark searches. The Client should seek a trademark check before registering or relying on a new logo.

## 8. Liability

8.1 The Designer warrants the final work is original, except for client-supplied and licensed third-party elements.

8.2 Each Party's total liability is limited to the fees paid under this Agreement. Neither Party is liable for indirect or consequential loss, except where the law does not allow that limit.

## 9. Termination

9.1 Either Party may terminate with [10] business days' written notice. Clause 6.4 applies when the Client terminates.

9.2 Either Party may terminate immediately for a material breach not fixed within [10] business days of written notice.

## 10. General

10.1 **Governing law:** [GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION].

10.2 **Independent contractor:** the Designer is not the Client's employee and may work for other clients.

10.3 **Entire agreement:** this Agreement and any accepted proposal or signed change order form the whole agreement. Changes must be in writing.

10.4 **E-signature:** this Agreement may be signed electronically.

---

## Signatures

| Designer | Client |
| --- | --- |
| Signature: ____________________________ | Signature: ____________________________ |
| Name: [YOUR NAME] | Name: [CLIENT SIGNATORY] |
| Date: [DATE] | Date: [DATE] |

---

### How to use this template

1. Pick Option A or Option B in clause 4 and delete the other.
2. Decide whether native files are included and say so in clause 3.1.
3. Adjust the kill fee stages to match how your process front-loads effort.
4. Attach the creative brief or proposal so the deliverables have context.
5. Have a lawyer in your jurisdiction review the filled-in version once before reuse.

*Template provided by Colo (trycolo.co). Not legal advice — review with a qualified professional in your jurisdiction.*