The Best Guide to a Foolproof Graphic Design Contract

In case you are pondering the idea of becoming a freelancer, you may need to take a closer look at graphic design contracts. This aspect of your work may not be your expertise. However, without the help of a professional lawyer and enormous fees, you may need to write a graphic design contract on your own. Keep in mind that it doesn’t take a law degree to write one or more graphic design contracts. You only need free time, goodwill, and proper thinking to write the graphic design contract that suits you best. In the long run, working as a freelancer may present more than one job opportunity and be quite lucrative. To achieve that goal, you should always have the draft of your contract on hand and be ready to make a deal. Here are a few crucial tips for writing graphic design contracts.

Why do you need graphic design contracts?

Most freelancers make a crucial mistake to agree on a graphics design job without proper protection. You can always decide to believe your employer and agree to the terms without any paperwork. In most cases, deciding to believe your employer may not be the best decision. Usually the terms of the job change, employers don’t pay up or avoid paying you on time. Numerous aspects can go wrong when doing a graphics design job with only a verbal agreement. For safety options, you should consider writing graphic design contracts.

With the graphic design contract on hand, you will be safe to agree on a job. In most freelance cases, the employer will provide all the information about the graphics designer's job in question. The size of the job, the dates, also the price. However, it is no secret that you can try and negotiate the terms of the agreement. Only after you agree on the job, you should make sure you and your employer sign one of your graphic design contracts. In case you are reconsidering signing your contract you should remember all the reasons why you should:

• Safety. Writing graphic design contracts and using them while you work, will help you stay safe while working as a freelancer. It is no secret that freelance jobs come with a verbal confirmation, but signing a contract will be the safest option. Most freelancers that had to take their employers to court will tell you that they regret they didn’t have a contract while working for their employer.
• Insurance. Your graphics design contract is also an insurance policy. In case of any disagreements, you have a contract to make sure your needs are met. It provides you with the right to speak up and remind your employer of the terms of the agreement. It is always better to have a contract when working as a freelancer than not.
• Exit policy. Every job comes with its difficulties. Creativity and productivity aside, writing graphic design contracts will give you a reliable exit strategy. Sometimes employers ask for too much, avoid paying for a job properly or there are other aspects you don’t wish to be a part of. In that case, your contract is the most important document. Using your graphic design contract you may break your agreement with your employer. Every contract should have options for breaking the agreement and the terms. 

Tips for writing graphic design contracts

Every contract may look like another to an inexperienced person, however, that is not true. Most professionals know that contracts may be alike but that every contract is unique. That is why writing graphic design contracts may be quite beneficial to a freelancer. Here are some tips for writing graphic design contracts:

Make sure to include all important details

Every contract should include some of the important information about you as well as your employer. Your official address, your contact information, aspects of the company, and your credentials are always important to note. On the other hand, a contract should also include the terms of your agreement with your employer. 

Project basis

Before you start writing graphic design contracts, make sure that you know all the basic information about the project you will be working on. You should note all of the basics of your agreement like everything you will be responsible for - the number of revisions you will be responsible for, color revisions, the delivery dates, etc.

The responsibilities of your client

When contemplating and writing graphic design contracts, you should include all the responsibilities of your employer- your client. Graphic design is a creative work. In most situations, you and your employer may need to work together and communicate. Also, you will have to send your client samples and designs. When that happens you will need your client to provide essential information to you so you can continue working in the right direction. In case you are waiting for the news from your client you may lose too much time. That is why you should include all of your clients, responsibilities in your contract. Keep in mind to note the details about the client and the time he needs for making revisions and similar actions.

The terms of payment

In every contract, you should have the terms of payment. No matter if working on one job or working continuously for one client on multiple contracts, you will need to note payment schedules. The terms of payment are quite important for you to stay safe and get money for your work. Make sure to include your hourly rate or rate for the completed project. Your employer should agree on all the payment methods before you finish writing your graphics design contract.

Use contract templates to create your final contract

Most people will use free templates when writing graphic design contracts. In case you never created a contract for your needs, using a free template will be quite helpful. The templates usually have basic parts of every contact and the proper form. To complete your final contract, make sure to read the template and fill out all the gaps and details regarding your business. Put in all the information about your client and all-important details. 

After filling out all the important aspects, contact your client and make sure he agrees on every aspect before finishing your graphics design contract. On the other hand, your client may provide a contract of their own. Make sure to read their formal contract before you sign it. In case you are having trouble with writing graphic design contracts, consider consulting a professional before you sign any formal document.