Graphic Design Contract
Built for designers. Covers logo files, brand guidelines delivery, colour palette ownership, and revision protection.
When to use this contract
Built for designers. Covers logo files, brand guidelines delivery, colour palette ownership, and revision protection. This template is essential for Design professionals who want clear, enforceable terms before starting any client work.
Without a written agreement, you are relying on verbal promises that will not hold up in a dispute. This contract covers the most common friction points: payment delays, scope creep, intellectual property ownership, and what happens if either party wants to end the project early. It gives you a written reference you can point to when disagreements arise, which resolves most issues before they escalate.
Use this contract before you write a single line of code, design a single asset, or deliver any work product. The few minutes it takes to customise and send this template can save you weeks of unpaid invoices and legal headaches later. Over 71% of freelancers report being paid late at least once per year; a signed contract with clear payment terms is the single most effective prevention tool.
This agreement works for both one-off projects and ongoing retainer relationships. For multi-project clients, pair it with a Statement of Work for each individual engagement so the master agreement covers the relationship while each SOW covers the specific deliverables.
What's included
Parties & Scope
Designer and client details, project overview
Design Deliverables
Logo, brand guide, color palette, typography, file formats
File Formats & Delivery
AI, PSD, PNG, SVG, PDF — what's included
Revision Rounds
Number of included revision rounds before extra charges
Ownership & Rights
Who owns the final designs and for what purposes
Usage License
Where and how the designs can be used
Payment Terms
Deposit, milestones, and final payment
Timeline
Drafts, revisions, and final delivery dates
Kill Fee
Payment if project is cancelled mid-way
Confidentiality
Protection of client's brand information
Termination
Early termination conditions
Liability Limit
Caps designer's liability
Governing Law
Legal jurisdiction
Key clauses explained
Every clause in this contract exists because a real freelancer lost money or legal leverage when it was missing. Here is what each section does and why it matters.
Parties & Scope
Designer and client details, project overview
This clause protects your interests and establishes clear expectations for both parties. Review it carefully before signing any agreement.
Design Deliverables
Logo, brand guide, color palette, typography, file formats
Listing exact deliverables (logo, brand guide, colour palette) prevents the client from later claiming 'the website' was included when it was never in scope.
File Formats & Delivery
AI, PSD, PNG, SVG, PDF — what's included
This clause protects your interests and establishes clear expectations for both parties. Review it carefully before signing any agreement.
Revision Rounds
Number of included revision rounds before extra charges
Two rounds is the design industry standard. Requiring consolidated feedback from a single contact prevents 'death by a thousand cuts' from multiple stakeholders.
Ownership & Rights
Who owns the final designs and for what purposes
This clause protects your interests and establishes clear expectations for both parties. Review it carefully before signing any agreement.
Usage License
Where and how the designs can be used
An exclusive license means only the client can use the final design, but you cannot resell the exact same asset. It protects both parties' interests.
Payment Terms
Deposit, milestones, and final payment
Freelancers lose billions to late payments annually. Specifying exact amounts, due dates, and late penalties in writing gives you legal leverage and often prevents delays before they happen.
Timeline
Drafts, revisions, and final delivery dates
This clause protects your interests and establishes clear expectations for both parties. Review it carefully before signing any agreement.
Kill Fee
Payment if project is cancelled mid-way
This clause protects your interests and establishes clear expectations for both parties. Review it carefully before signing any agreement.
Confidentiality
Protection of client's brand information
Defining what counts as confidential protects both you and the client. It also clarifies that the obligation survives contract termination, usually for 2–5 years.
Termination
Early termination conditions
A clean exit strategy protects your income if the project ends early. Kill fees compensate you for lost time and opportunity cost when the client cancels mid-project.
Liability Limit
Caps designer's liability
Without a liability cap, a single unhappy client could sue you for damages far exceeding the project fee. This clause limits your exposure to what you were actually paid.
Governing Law
Legal jurisdiction
Using your home jurisdiction means any disputes are resolved under laws you understand, in courts you can physically attend, giving you a significant home-court advantage.
Plain-English Summary
Built for designers. Covers logo files, brand guidelines delivery, colour palette ownership, and revision protection.
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Sample scenario
The situation: You deliver a logo the client loves. Three months later you see it on their merchandise, app icon, and a billboard — usage you never discussed or priced for.
The risk without a contract: Unlicensed usage means lost licensing revenue and potential brand dilution. Without a usage clause, you have no grounds to charge for additional applications or prevent unauthorised resale.
How this contract helps: The usage license defines exactly where designs can appear. File formats are specified so the client receives usable assets. Revision rounds are capped at two, and unused concepts remain your property.