craigwojo · 03-04-2007, 05:50 PM

Hi everyone,

What is your policy for artwork that has been done? Even if you have a rough draft you worked on, do you let the customer have it to show their other partners if they ask?

What is your policy for artwork?

Thank you,
Craig

airal20 · 03-04-2007, 07:25 PM

What do you mean when you say let them have it. I usually go over the layout with them and then design. Then i let them look at a printed proof.

craigwojo · 03-04-2007, 07:41 PM

I would work with the customer (doing the design work on the computer) and they would like to take a printed copy of the design work to show others in their business (co-owners, partners, etc.).
The work that is done is for signage and a rendering with the building and what the sign might look like when installed.

So, would you allow the client to take the design work with them to show their partners or whomever?

Thank you,
Craig

Chuck12563 · 03-05-2007, 09:33 AM

I supply customers with low resolution PDF proofs throughout the design process.

But they don't get anything (not even an idea) until they sign a quote and fork up 50% of the price.

Getting them to sign and pay upfront saves a lot of time and quickly weeds out the serious people from the "price shoppers" and the "idea stealers".

airal20 · 03-05-2007, 07:22 PM

Yeah, I make sure i get a deposit before i do anything. Then it would be safe to give them a print-out.

craigwojo · 03-05-2007, 07:48 PM

I believe that you should get paid for work you do. But what I hear is that some people may be offended by paying up front before they even see if they will like the product or not. Myself, I am starting payment for my time when working on a design. If there is a revision, the first one will be free, but anything after that will be charged by the hour.

Craig

slangsc · 03-06-2007, 09:22 AM

It's hard to get some customers to understand that your time is required for original ideas, and that it isn't always just a simple layout. Architects don't design a building for free and then let someone else just go build it. Professional Marketing Agencies won't lift a finger for a design until they have a contract and a payment. We don't actually do it here (I'm not the owner), but asking for a deposit on your design is the same as asking the customer for a commitment. You will have to be able to back-up what you are asking for, with a portfolio or something the customer can see or feel, so they know they are making a wise investment in their image. If you design for free, or let customers take your proofs, you risk them going elsewhere, because they did not have a monetary commitment to stay with you. We feel like we have a good product here, and most customers come back without requiring a payment. They usually see it after speaking with other companies and come back to us.

Chuck12563 · 03-06-2007, 08:46 PM

When you do a design for free, that's just what it is worth (in the customer's mind)--nothing. Now you are just selling him vinyl and substrates. Then he tells you that the "other guy" is a $1 cheaper a sqft than you.

The one or two guys out of a hundred that bitch about having to leave a deposit are the type of client you don't want anyhow--you know, you cringe when they walk in the door and you feel very relieved once they leave.

Patrick · 03-09-2007, 04:17 PM

Generally, my policy is that I give the customer an estimate and get a commitment before i spend any time on artwork. I tell them I will work with them to get a design they will like, once they commit to having me do the project.

One thing to beware of is the customer who comes in blowing and going about how wonderful you are and how much they just LOVE your work. Don't let them bamboozle you into doing any artwork with the idea (in your head only) that you have the job in the bag. They will take your artwork and run to the guy down the street who is $50 cheaper.

mastersignwizard · 03-17-2007, 03:24 PM

I have had several customers do that to me ....... the funny thing is that in almost every case it wines up costing them more.

03-04-2007, 05:50 PM	#1
craigwojo Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 60 Printer:	Your policy for artwork done Hi everyone, What is your policy for artwork that has been done? Even if you have a rough draft you worked on, do you let the customer have it to show their other partners if they ask? What is your policy for artwork? Thank you, Craig __________________ Craig Roland SP-540V, Royal Sovereign Cold Roll Laminator 1400C, Sublimation equipment, LaserPro 25 18x24 Laser Engraver, VersaWorks 2.2, CorelDraw X3, Gretagmacbeth Eye-One Proof. SE area of Lower Michigan - Clinton Township and office is in Warren God Bless All.

03-04-2007, 07:41 PM	#3
craigwojo Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 60 Printer:	I would work with the customer (doing the design work on the computer) and they would like to take a printed copy of the design work to show others in their business (co-owners, partners, etc.). The work that is done is for signage and a rendering with the building and what the sign might look like when installed. So, would you allow the client to take the design work with them to show their partners or whomever? Thank you, Craig __________________ Craig Roland SP-540V, Royal Sovereign Cold Roll Laminator 1400C, Sublimation equipment, LaserPro 25 18x24 Laser Engraver, VersaWorks 2.2, CorelDraw X3, Gretagmacbeth Eye-One Proof. SE area of Lower Michigan - Clinton Township and office is in Warren God Bless All. Last edited by craigwojo : 03-04-2007 at 10:30 PM.

03-05-2007, 07:48 PM	#6
craigwojo Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 60 Printer:	I believe that you should get paid for work you do. But what I hear is that some people may be offended by paying up front before they even see if they will like the product or not. Myself, I am starting payment for my time when working on a design. If there is a revision, the first one will be free, but anything after that will be charged by the hour. Craig __________________ Craig Roland SP-540V, Royal Sovereign Cold Roll Laminator 1400C, Sublimation equipment, LaserPro 25 18x24 Laser Engraver, VersaWorks 2.2, CorelDraw X3, Gretagmacbeth Eye-One Proof. SE area of Lower Michigan - Clinton Township and office is in Warren God Bless All.

03-17-2007, 03:24 PM	#10
mastersignwizard Administrator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Arizona Posts: 2,044 Printer: Roland SC-545 EX Pro II V & HP5500	I have had several customers do that to me ....... the funny thing is that in almost every case it wines up costing them more. __________________ Corey Printing Digital www.printingdigital.net E-Mail: corey@printingdigital.net Direct: 623-444-5200 Roland SC545EX Pro II V w/Triangle MLD Bulk Ink System - HP5500 - Flexi Sign Pro - Sign Lab - Wasatch SoftRip - Onyx - Daige Laminator - Ioline SC72 - Ioline Studio 8 - CorelDRAW X3 - Adobe Creative Suite CS3 - Eye Candy Effects Collection - Vertus Fluid Mask - Flaming Pear - All Andromeda Photoshop-Plugins - PhotoZoom Pro - EyeOne Proof & Profile Maker - Estimate

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03-04-2007, 07:25 PM	#2
airal20 Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boutte, LA Posts: 288 Printer: roland 540v	What do you mean when you say let them have it. I usually go over the layout with them and then design. Then i let them look at a printed proof.

03-05-2007, 09:33 AM	#4
Chuck12563 Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Patterson, NY Posts: 78 Printer: VersaCamm SP-300V, HP5500PS-60UV	I supply customers with low resolution PDF proofs throughout the design process. But they don't get anything (not even an idea) until they sign a quote and fork up 50% of the price. Getting them to sign and pay upfront saves a lot of time and quickly weeds out the serious people from the "price shoppers" and the "idea stealers".

03-05-2007, 07:22 PM	#5
airal20 Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boutte, LA Posts: 288 Printer: roland 540v	Yeah, I make sure i get a deposit before i do anything. Then it would be safe to give them a print-out.

03-06-2007, 09:22 AM	#7
slangsc Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 982 Printer: Roland SC-540 Pro II EX - Triangle MLD Bulk Ink	It's hard to get some customers to understand that your time is required for original ideas, and that it isn't always just a simple layout. Architects don't design a building for free and then let someone else just go build it. Professional Marketing Agencies won't lift a finger for a design until they have a contract and a payment. We don't actually do it here (I'm not the owner), but asking for a deposit on your design is the same as asking the customer for a commitment. You will have to be able to back-up what you are asking for, with a portfolio or something the customer can see or feel, so they know they are making a wise investment in their image. If you design for free, or let customers take your proofs, you risk them going elsewhere, because they did not have a monetary commitment to stay with you. We feel like we have a good product here, and most customers come back without requiring a payment. They usually see it after speaking with other companies and come back to us.

03-06-2007, 08:46 PM	#8
Chuck12563 Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Patterson, NY Posts: 78 Printer: VersaCamm SP-300V, HP5500PS-60UV	When you do a design for free, that's just what it is worth (in the customer's mind)--nothing. Now you are just selling him vinyl and substrates. Then he tells you that the "other guy" is a $1 cheaper a sqft than you. The one or two guys out of a hundred that bitch about having to leave a deposit are the type of client you don't want anyhow--you know, you cringe when they walk in the door and you feel very relieved once they leave.

03-09-2007, 04:17 PM	#9
Patrick Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 60 Printer: Roland VersaCamm SP300V	Generally, my policy is that I give the customer an estimate and get a commitment before i spend any time on artwork. I tell them I will work with them to get a design they will like, once they commit to having me do the project. One thing to beware of is the customer who comes in blowing and going about how wonderful you are and how much they just LOVE your work. Don't let them bamboozle you into doing any artwork with the idea (in your head only) that you have the job in the bag. They will take your artwork and run to the guy down the street who is $50 cheaper.

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