Graphic Designers, what are your views on handing over PSD files? I’ve designed a poster for a client & now they’re asking for the PSD file
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- It's such a tricky subject, some great responses below! If you're being paid fairly, that might be a standard procedure so they don't have to ask you to export in different formats down the line... but if you think there's something else going on, then chances are you're probably right. If you're unsure do ask for a release fee!
- Sounds great and would love to help get in touch at contact.bloomsburydesigns@gmail.com
- HiI'm Aqsa a freelance graphic designer, below I've attached my website with some projects. I have done plus some general artwork! My work mostly specialises in Branding, editorial, packaging Design andIllustration!Portfolio link:https://aqsa.myportfolio.comIf you like what you see feel free to drop me a message onInstagram : @aasqaartWould be great to hear from you!Aqsa
- Hi Bex! A lot of good answers but thought I woud give you my feelings on handing over artwork/psd files. If this particular project ran over time (due to the client making changes to the brief or content) and you've not been paid / charged enough by the time you had completed, then certainly consider an artwork release fee - it's industry standard to do so and would certainly be justified in this case.Personally I have no problem helping clients out and giving them this sort of thing, often for free or as an option when we set out costs for the job. I think that by being collaborative and supportive you can do yourself more favours in the longer term as they'll want to keep working with you. Often they realise how challenging design really is when they start trying to edit files and they come back! Or if they hand f over to a cheaper and less skilled designer, 9/10 times they'll realise that you get what you pay for - and come back :)If you've created something that's a highly original illustration or artwork for them, then you definitely should look at licensing rights and appropriate fees before handing anything over. Hope this helps! x
- Hey Bex, interesting reading the below. When I'm a client I nearly always need the PSD - usually for resizing, or copy changes. When I worked agency side, I remember finding it really difficult that the client owned the work we did, but that was the agreement generally. If they'd briefed it, paid for it and it had their logo on it, they could access that and adapt it. I think it depends a lot on the working relationship, scale of the project and also your reasons for caution around sharing the working files (ie, is it more around protecting the creative, or financial, or both) but definitely feel comfortable to be open about that with the client, Lex
- Hi Bex,There are some good advices already but also would highlight in the UK agreement written in mail counts as contract. So as long as you hand over files with comments what you agree as usage you are protected. Also, to be crystal clear on it's absolutely okay for you saying no for if they didn't mention in the beginning that they will ask for working files. Providing working files is not included in the flat fee in the creative industry.
- Hello Bex,What terms and conditions did you agree at the start of the project?Unless you have agreed to hand over files without payment then I wouldn’t recommend it.The moment that you hand over those files you will lose all leverage and be at the mercy of the client.It is possible that the client will be upstanding and pay you immediately, although there are clients that will drag their heels over payment once they have what they want.Good luck and for next time, agree terms and conditions before you start. It doesn’t have to be a contract, a simple email with exactly what you are going to do and what and what each party expects, this will save a lot of hassle in the long run.Give me a shout if you need any more help.
- It depends on your contract, but YOUR contract should stipulate that you don’t hand over original files – at least not without payment.As artists, we retain ownership of our artwork. Clients are granted a license to use that work, as delivered. Unless you’ve signed an iffy contract – and who hasn’t early in their career? – your client has no right to original files.
- I understand the feeling, of you maybe feeling like your being replaced on a project when this type of situation comes up. Sometimes you have to detach yourself from the project when this happens.Various reasons why you would submit artwork files, purpose i.e. needing to be artworked at various formats or to make text changes etc. This is standard as the client might have an in-house designer or team to do that.The main concern is if they have paid you and your NDA contract agrees on file hand over then you have complie.Most of the time when I send files over, I like to write an email contextually this is the artwork file named layers grouped etc. Sometimes I’ve ended back on the project the files sent over to as other designer wasn’t experienced to work with the file.
- It depends on what you have agreed but as a freelancer, you own copyright in your work and you don't have to give the native files for free. Usually you should charge from 25% to 100% of the fee for the total project to hand over them. Also because they use images, font etc of which you own the rights to use but not the client.
- Hi Bex,I think it's a good question to ask and you'll probably get a good few different view points on this question and there is not right or wrong.I would say its depending on your contract with the client. If you have copyright over the design then it should matter if the client has the working files as you own intellectual property of the design anyway and you have some control over what happens to it. For me I do send my clients the working files but that's more the type of work I do and I don't really want to be called on everytime the client wants a minor word change.If you're worried about sending over the file then you could ask the client why they want it? This way you can understand if it's just for minor future changes or something else. I guess the fear is it depends how compitent the client is with the working files.If it helps I'm happy to send you over my wording for the copyright section in the contract that I use for my clients. It's not perfect but does catch most things and will protect you.I hope you find my answer helpful and please feel free to get in touch if you have more questions.Thanks,Alister
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