Free Graphic Design Contract Template Examples

To help you grow your business, we've created a pretty simple yet reliable graphic design contract template in both Word and PDF versions so you can use it over and over.

What's in this model?

• detailed description

• Copyright ownership

• Termination Policy

What is a graphic design contract?

A graphic design contract is also known as a design contract. It is a legal document between two parties including the designer and the client. The purpose of this agreement is to provide design services. Graphic designers can create several business-related graphics and designs, including creating an entire website. . These types of contracts can be used for the graphic design of a book, a brochure, a poster, etc.

Graphic designers who offer design contracts are generally recognized and experienced professionals. Not all graphic designers offer a particular graphic design contract and can do so if you wish.

When you need graphic design services, it is recommended to enter into a contract with the graphic designer, in order to avoid any confusion in the future.

What is Graphic Design?

Graphic design includes the creation of graphics, diagrams, diagrams, maps, charts and illustrations for commercial, advertising or educational purposes. It may also include the use of images, photographs and icons to represent people or organizations. The term is relatively new, since it only appeared when printing techniques were developed.

Graphic design consists of designing images intended to be printed: posters, leaflets, written publications, etc.

It also includes the visual creations of objects that will be used in advertising such as business cards, stationery, video advertising, promotional material, etc.

It is necessary to have a good capacity of observation, copy and graphic creation. It is also necessary to understand the language of forms, to know how colors are perceived and to know how to use the appropriate media.

What are the types of graphic design contracts? 

Graphic design contracts can be divided into two categories: one-off graphic design contract and one-page graphic design contract.

Graphic design contract per unit

The one-off graphic design contract is a contract that includes an obligation of result.

In the one-off graphic design contract, the graphic design is presented in one step and the final result is delivered to the company. In one-off graphic design contracts, no other work is provided by the service provider (i.e. the client does not require any work other than the graphic design). For example, the writer can do the graphic design of a book for the client.

Graphic design contract on page

The graphic design contract on the page is a market with an obligation of means.

The graphic design contract on the page is a contract that contains an obligation of means and not of result. In this type of contract, the service provider provides a certain number of pages within a given period. For example, the service provider might deliver 10 pages of a book on the scheduled date.

Should a freelance graphic designer always enter into a contract for graphic design services?

Freelance graphic designers need a contract if they are providing their services to someone. They don't have an HR team or corporate lawyers to protect them if a customer disagrees with their payment. 

When clients know you have a valid legal contract, they will have more confidence in your abilities. They can trust you and are more likely to use your services again in the future. A contract can protect you from unfortunate relationships with a client

If a client isn't satisfied with your work, they can then say that you haven't fulfilled your part of the contract. He can then try not to pay you or to sue you. With a contract, you can challenge it as a breach of the contract signed by both parties.

 What are the advantages of the graphic design contract?

The benefits of a graphic design contract include:

• Accurate graphic design, meeting customer needs

• Graphic design quality control

• Clear and precise pricing for graphic design

• Delivery of a final result without the need for other services of the provider

What are the disadvantages of the graphic design contract?

Disadvantages of a graphic design contract include:

• Sluggishness – the client may not be happy with the end result

• Risk of presenting less work – the client may need more work than what is foreseen in the graphic design contract

• Uncertainty of the end result – the client does not know what to expect with this type of contract

Things to check before signing a freelance graphic designer contract

You must first check whether the employment contract includes legal clauses, non-negotiable clauses and clauses that govern your relationship with the client. Next, you should also check that the contract includes the necessary information to help you achieve the goals set by the client.

The Labor Act 1998 is the benchmark for all employment contracts. Under this law, clauses that protect the employee are negotiable, while others are non-negotiable. A clause is considered negotiable if it can be modified by agreement between the employee and the employer. On the other hand, if the clause is not negotiable, it must be included in the employment contract. Under this law, clauses that protect the employee are negotiable, while others are non-negotiable. A clause is considered negotiable if it can be modified by agreement between the employee and the employer. On the other hand, if the clause is not negotiable, it must be included in the employment contract, as mandatory information.

'Negotiable' means that the Labor Act 1998 allows the employee and the employer to agree on a different term to that provided for in the contract of employment. The employee and the employer can also decide that there will be no clause at all.

'Non-negotiable' means that the Labor Act 1998 requires the clause to be included in the contract of employment, as mandatory information. The employee and the employer cannot modify or delete the clause on their own.

It is up to you to decide which clauses complete the employment contract. Non-negotiable clauses are basic clauses that govern your relationship with the client and must be included in the employment contract. The Labor Act 1998 does not specify which terms are non-negotiable, as each employment contract is unique.

Important Terms

What should you include in your freelance design contract template?

The elements that every freelance design contract should include are:

• detailed description of the project you are working on or want to work on.

• Chronology deliverables including work due dates to create a rollback schedule. 

• Payment details (total cost, down payment, method of payment, payment due dates, including late fees).

• Copyright ownership to take advantage of the work done by the graphic designer.

• The termination policy must clearly state whether either party can terminate the contract before the agreed date and what the fine will be charged in this case for terminating the contract with you.

• The signature and date sections must be present at the bottom of the contract.