The Ultimate Guide to Creating a Simple Graphic Design Contract
Last updated on by Cody Miles
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After weeks of long days and espresso-fuelled nights, you’ve finally finished the design project of your life. You send it to the client, who adores it, and then… nothing. You reach out, then you reach out again, and not a peep in response. With a heavy heart, you realize that for all of your time and effort, you have nothing to show – no compensation for the hours you put in and no final design to share with the world.
Of course, not every artist has experienced this, and in an ideal world, no one would. Clients are people, and as such, they usually treat those they work with respectfully. Even so, these situations still happen all too often in creative professions. Without a simple graphic design contract, artists are left to fend for themselves when clients don’t follow through. By clearly detailing expectations from the start, you can rest assured that if issues arise, it’s not just your word versus theirs – you have legally binding evidence on your side.
Importance of Graphic Design Contracts
Design work is inherently risky; it’s subjective, which places artists in a vulnerable position. Without a written agreement:
- The client could refuse to pay, claiming they don’t like the work or that it wasn’t what they asked for.
- Scope creep can set in, adding unpaid work you never agreed to.
A simple contract not only protects you from these risks, it demonstrates professionalism. It shows you understand how business relationships work, respect contracts, and clearly communicate expectations. It also protects clients by defining deliverables, timelines, and responsibilities.
What Should a Simple Graphic Design Contract Include?
You don’t need legal jargon. Keep it clear, covering:
- Scope of work
- Client expectations
- Payment details
- Design rights and ownership
- Liability
- Termination
You can reuse many of these sections in future contracts.
Work Details
Also called the Statement of Work (SoW), this section outlines:
- Scope of work (what and how much you’ll do)
- Objectives (the end goal)
- Deliverables
- Timeline & schedule
- Revisions allowed
This prevents scope creep, sets realistic timelines, and defines revision limits so you’re compensated for extra work. Build in flexibility to account for unexpected delays.
Client Expectations
Detail how the client will support the project:
- When they must provide materials
- Deadlines for feedback
- Communication process
Set one main point of contact to avoid contradictory feedback. Define:
- Modes of communication (email, Slack, meetings)
- Contact person
- Review & approval process (who approves, when approvals are due)
Payment Details
Protect yourself with a payment schedule:
- When payment is due
- Accepted payment methods
- Consequences for late or missing payment
Best practice: retain copyright until payment is received.
Rights and Ownership
Specify:
- Whether you require credit
- Permission to use work in your portfolio
Liability
Protect both sides with:
- Warranty of originality (no unlicensed materials used)
- Work warranty (what you’ll do if issues arise)
- Liability limits (you’re not responsible for damages beyond your fee)
Termination
Outline:
- Conditions for ending the contract early
- Required payments for early termination
- Return of materials
Sharing and Signing Contracts
Contracts must be acknowledged and signed. Options include:
- Posting on your website – promotes transparency.
- Sending as a PDF via email – targeted delivery, confirm receipt.
- Using e-signature platforms – secure, guides clients to complete all fields, tracks signature progress.
Build a Better Client–Designer Relationship With Ashore
Creatives and clients don’t always speak the same language. Ashore bridges the gap with:
- Customizable workflows
- Assigned senders and approvers
- Automated notifications
- Contextual commenting for precise feedback
Ashore users get proofs approved 50% faster with fewer revision cycles.
Sign up for free today and keep your projects on track.