Freelance Designer Contract Template

1. Parties and project

This Design Services Agreement is between [Designer Legal Name or Business Name] and [Client Legal Name or Business Name] as of [Effective Date]. The project is [Project Name] and the intended audience or use is [Audience and Use]. Work begins on [Start Date] and is expected to reach final delivery on [Date or Milestone].

2. Deliverables and formats

The Designer will create [List each deliverable, quantity, dimensions, platform, and format]. Final files will be delivered as [File formats and delivery method]. The Client will supply [Brand assets, copy, product details, access, or other inputs] by [Date]. A deliverable is complete when it meets the listed acceptance criteria and the included revision rounds are complete.

3. Discovery, concepts, and revisions

The process includes [Number] discovery or direction stage, [Number] initial concepts, and [Number] rounds of revisions for each listed deliverable. Feedback must be consolidated and sent within [Number] business days. A new direction, new deliverable, or change after approval is a change order priced at [Rate or Amount].

4. Timeline and approvals

Milestones are: [Milestone 1 and date], [Milestone 2 and date], and [Final delivery and date]. Client delays in content, access, feedback, or approval extend the affected deadline by a reasonable period. The Client will name [Approver] as the person authorized to consolidate final feedback.

5. Fees, payment, and expenses

The fee is [Amount] [Currency], payable as [Deposit], [Milestone], and [Final balance]. Invoices are due [Payment Terms] using [Payment Method]. Approved stock, font, plugin, travel, or production expenses are [Included or reimbursed with approval]. Any late-payment term must match the signed agreement.

6. Intellectual property and source files

After all amounts due are paid, the Client receives [Assignment or license] to the final approved deliverables for [Media, territory, and term]. The Designer retains pre-existing tools, working methods, rejected concepts, and reusable know-how. Source files are [Included, delivered at an additional fee, or not included]. Editable files do not transfer rights in third-party assets.

7. Fonts, stock, and third-party materials

The project may use fonts, stock images, plugins, templates, code, or other third-party materials. The Client will purchase or reimburse approved licenses when required, and both Parties will follow the applicable license restrictions. The Designer does not promise that an asset license permits uses beyond the stated project or territory.

8. Portfolio and publicity

The Designer may show the final public work in a portfolio, case study, award submission, or social account after [Launch, Client approval, or other condition], unless the Client requests confidentiality in writing. The Client will provide or approve the preferred credit, if any.

9. Confidentiality and client materials

Each Party will protect non-public business, product, customer, and strategy information received from the other. The Client confirms it has the right to provide all copy, images, trademarks, and brand materials used in the project. Confidentiality does not cover information that is public without breach or independently developed.

10. Independent contractor and liability

The Designer is an independent contractor responsible for taxes, equipment, and ordinary business expenses. The Designer will perform with reasonable professional care. Except where law does not allow a limit, total liability is limited to [Liability Cap], excluding fraud or intentional misconduct.

11. Termination, law, and signatures

Either Party may terminate with [Notice Period] written notice. The Client will pay for accepted work, work in progress, approved expenses, and any agreed cancellation amount. This agreement is governed by [State or Country], and changes must be written and accepted by both Parties. Electronic signatures are permitted where legally valid.

Signatures

[FREELANCER LEGAL NAME OR BUSINESS NAME] By: [Your Name] Title: [Title, if applicable] Signature: [Signature] Date: [Date]

[CLIENT LEGAL NAME OR BUSINESS NAME] By: [Client Name] Title: [Title, if applicable] Signature: [Signature] Date: [Date]