What should a graphic designer contract include?

A graphic designer contract should include: both parties' names and contact details, a clear description of deliverables (what files will be provided and in what formats), the number of concept directions and revision rounds, the fee and payment schedule, intellectual property ownership (who owns the final designs), usage rights (what the client can use the designs for), a kill fee if the project is cancelled, client responsibilities (providing briefs, content and feedback), and governing law. This template covers all 10 clauses.

Who owns the logo or design after a graphic designer creates it?

By default, the designer who creates the work owns the copyright. Ownership only transfers to the client when the contract explicitly says so — and only after full payment is received. This template transfers all rights in the final approved deliverables to the client upon final payment. The designer retains the right to display the work in their portfolio. Rejected concepts and unused design directions remain the property of the designer.

Should a graphic designer provide source files?

Whether source files (AI, PSD, Sketch, Figma) are included is entirely a matter of what you agree to in the contract. Many designers charge extra for source files, or only provide export files (PNG, PDF, SVG). Specify this clearly in the deliverables clause — list exactly which file formats will be provided, at what size/resolution, and whether editable source files are included. Disputes about source files are almost always caused by this not being written down.

How many revisions should a graphic designer include?

Two to three rounds of revisions per concept direction is standard for most freelance graphic designers. A revision round means one consolidated list of changes submitted at once — not a series of individual requests. Specify the number as a fixed count in the contract, not 'minor changes' or 'reasonable revisions', which are too vague to enforce. Revisions beyond the included rounds are billed at your hourly rate, and any request that changes the creative direction is a new concept, not a revision.

What happens if a client keeps requesting changes beyond the agreed revisions?

If your contract specifies a number of revision rounds and an hourly rate for additional work, you simply invoice the client for the extra time. Send a change order email stating the requested changes, the estimated hours, and the additional cost — and get written approval before proceeding. Without a contract, you have no basis to bill for additional revisions. The revision clause in this template is the single most financially protective clause for a graphic designer.

Can a graphic designer use a logo they designed in their portfolio?

Yes — unless the contract explicitly prohibits it. Most design contracts include a portfolio rights clause granting the designer the right to display the work in their portfolio, on their website, and on social media. If a client requires confidentiality, they can request removal of the portfolio clause, but this is unusual and typically worth negotiating for — it is real value the designer provides and portfolio display is a legitimate business interest.

Updated June 2026

Free Graphic Designer
Contract Template

A professional freelance design agreement covering project scope, file deliverables, concept directions, revision rounds, IP ownership and payment schedule. Download and send in minutes.

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Reviewed June 2026
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Branding (optional)

Designer / Studio Logo

1 — Designer

Contract Date

Designer Full Name

Studio / Business Name (optional)

Address (optional)

Title (optional)

2 — Client

Client Full Name

Company Name (optional)

Client Address (optional)

3 — Project

Project Name

Deliverables Description

File Formats Provided

Completion Deadline

4 — Fees

Currency

Project Fee

Deposit (% due on signing)

5 — Revisions & Terms

Concept Directions Included

Revision Rounds per Concept

Extra Revision Rate

Governing Law

PDF: choose "Save as PDF" in the dialog that opens.

Freelance Graphic Design Contract

Date: enter date above

1. Agreement Parties

This Contract is entered into between Designer name, trading as , ("Designer"), and Client name, , ("Client").

2. Project and Deliverables

Project: project name

Deliverables: deliverables description

File formats: AI, EPS, PDF, PNG, SVG | Deadline: completion deadline

3. Fees and Payment

Project fee: USD ($) amount

Deposit: 50% due on signing. Balance due on final delivery before source files are transferred.

4. Concepts and Revisions

2 concept directions will be presented. 3 revision rounds per concept included. Additional revisions billed at USD ($) rate.

5–9. Standard Clauses

Approval & signoff · IP ownership (transfers on final payment) · Portfolio rights · Client responsibilities · Limitation of liability · Termination

10. Governing Law

Governed by the laws of governing jurisdiction.

Designer

Signature

Print name: _______________

Title: _______________

Date: _________________

Client

Signature

Print name: _______________

Date: _________________

Template preview

Freelance Graphic Design Contract Free to download

Parties

1. Agreement Parties

This Freelance Graphic Design Contract ("Agreement") is entered into as of [Date] between [Designer Full Name], trading as [Studio Name] ("Designer"), and [Client Full Name], [Company Name] ("Client").

Deliverables

2. Project Scope and Deliverables

The Designer agrees to create the following deliverables for the project "[Project Name]":

[e.g. Logo design: 2 initial concept directions in full colour, black and white and reversed-out versions. Brand guidelines document covering colour palette, typography and usage rules. Business card design (front and back). Social media profile and cover image templates for Instagram and LinkedIn.]

File formats provided: [e.g. AI (source), EPS, PDF (print-ready), PNG (web/screen, transparent background), SVG]

Not included: [e.g. Print production, copywriting, photography, stock image licensing, website implementation — unless separately agreed in writing.]

Completion deadline: [Date, subject to timely Client approvals]

Concepts & Revisions

3. Concept Presentation and Revisions

The Designer will present [e.g. 2] initial concept directions for Client review. The Client will select one direction to develop further, or request modifications within the included revision rounds.

Revision rounds included: [e.g. 3] rounds per concept direction. A revision round is one consolidated list of changes submitted at once.

Revisions beyond the included rounds are billed at [Currency + Rate] per hour. Any request that fundamentally changes the creative direction (e.g. requesting a completely new visual approach after concept approval) is treated as a new concept, not a revision, and will be quoted separately.

Payment

4. Fees and Payment Schedule

Project fee: [Currency + Total Amount]

Deposit: [e.g. 50%] of the project fee is due upon signing. Work begins upon receipt of deposit.

Balance: Remaining balance is due on final delivery, before source files and editable assets are transferred.

Invoices unpaid within [e.g. 14 days] of the due date may incur a late payment fee of [e.g. 1.5% per month]. Accepted payment methods: [bank transfer / PayPal / Stripe / other].

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What's included in this template

Parties — designer and client identification

Project scope — deliverables, file formats, and what is not included

Concept directions and revision rounds with a clear definition of "revision"

Fee, deposit and balance payment schedule

Approval and signoff process — preventing endless changes

IP ownership — transfers to client on final payment; rejected concepts stay with designer

Portfolio and self-promotion rights for the designer

Client responsibilities — brief, materials, feedback timelines

Limitation of liability clause

Termination clause with kill fee + signature block

How to use this template

List every deliverable and file format explicitly

The deliverables clause is where most design disputes start. Do not write "logo design" — write "logo in full colour, black and white and reversed-out variants, provided in AI, EPS, PDF, PNG (transparent) and SVG". If something is not on the list, it is not included. This also applies to what you are explicitly not providing: copywriting, photography, print production.

Define "revision" as a consolidated list, not a conversation

The most common abuse of revision clauses is clients who send changes in dribs and drabs — a new request every day. A revision round should mean one email with all requested changes listed at once. Write this definition into the contract explicitly. When the client sends piecemeal changes, refer back to the contract and ask them to consolidate.

Withhold source files until final payment

The IP clause in this template makes ownership transfer conditional on receipt of final payment. Until then, you own the designs. In practice: deliver print-ready PDFs and low-res PNGs at each milestone, but hold back the AI/EPS source files and editable assets until the balance is paid. This is the most effective lever for ensuring on-time payment.

Get written signoff at each milestone

After presenting concepts, get the client's selection in writing — even an email saying "I approve concept 2, let's proceed" is sufficient. This prevents clients from reverting to an earlier concept after development has started, and documents the point at which they took ownership of a direction. Use Bonsai to manage approvals and payments in one place.

Frequently asked questions

: A graphic designer contract should include: both parties' names and contact details, a clear description of deliverables (what files will be provided and in what formats), the number of concept directions and revision rounds, the fee and payment schedule, intellectual property ownership (who owns the final designs), usage rights, a kill fee if the project is cancelled, client responsibilities, and governing law. This template covers all 10 clauses in plain, editable language.
: By default, the designer who creates the work owns the copyright. Ownership only transfers to the client when the contract explicitly states it — and in this template, only after final payment is received in full. Rejected concepts and unused design directions remain the property of the designer regardless. This means the designer can reuse rejected concepts for other clients (though practically, most designers avoid this for confidentiality reasons).
: Whether source files are included is a matter of what you agree to in the contract. Many designers charge extra for source files (AI, PSD, Figma), or only provide export files (PDF, PNG, SVG). Specify this clearly in the deliverables clause — list exactly which formats will be provided. Disputes about source files are almost always caused by this not being written down before work starts.
: Two to three rounds of revisions per concept is standard for most freelance graphic designers. A revision round should mean one consolidated list of changes — not a daily stream of requests. Define this in your contract. Any request that changes the creative direction entirely (new font direction, new colour palette, completely new concept) is a new concept, not a revision, and should be quoted separately.
: If your contract specifies revision rounds and an hourly rate for additional work, you invoice for extra time — it is that simple. When the included rounds are used up, send the client a change order: the requested changes, the estimated hours, the cost, and a request for written approval before you proceed. Keep every communication in writing. The revision clause in this template makes this conversation straightforward rather than awkward.
: Yes — unless the contract explicitly prohibits it. This template includes a portfolio rights clause allowing the designer to display the work in their portfolio, on their website, and on social media. If the client requires confidentiality (common for unreleased product launches), they can request removal of this clause. Most clients accept portfolio display as standard practice — it costs them nothing and is real value the designer provides.