Client wants artwork :(
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- nylon
So basically we have done a job for a new client and they are asking me to send them the 'artwork files' for 'their archive.'
What it actually means is 'Can we use your artwork next time so that we don't have to pay you again for the privilege...
Do I send them the artwork or not as I don't want to piss them off...
Failing that, is there a way I can make the file corrupt so that I can plead ignorance?
Ta
- fourth0
next time make sure your contract covers this
- VectorMasked0
Just be clear with them and tell them the payment never includes the working files, and that if they want them they have to pay for them.
Hopefully you are using the latest version of the software. Endless times the client has asked me for the working files, and once they have them they can't even open the indesign files coz they have a pirated version of CS3 or something.- hat to render my .indd-files back to cs2 for some clients shitty database. glad they have updated now!mekk
- could this be an advantage of using Adobe CC apps then?mirrorball
- mirrorball0
send it as a jpeg pdf, and rename the extension to .doc
- omg0
use a watermark that says, "for archival purposes only"
- thisautoflavour
- Cant do a watermark in indesign or else they could just delete itnylon
- autoflavour0
convert all text to outline, lock the pdf
- Kiko0
This is a very timely thread, as were in the same situation. How many x from the original cost do you charge for the artwork?
- autoflavour0
was it explicitly stated in the contract that you would deliver artwork files? if not, stand your ground.. just dont shoot them
- boobs0
Just politely and firmly say no.
- monospaced0
Tell them you already delivered the "artwork," as print files, to them for review several times, and to the vendors for production. The PDF they received is, in fact, what they paid for and what they received.
- question is... do you want to continue a business relationship with this client?vaxorcist
- vaxorcist0
This can be a communications and culture thing... in my previous experience, we found that some"B2B" clients often just assumed they'd get the "entire artwork archive" without even asking for it at the end of the project. We not only had to have it in our contract that we didn't do that, but we also had to very, very explicitly say so, often more than a few times, to different people, and we had to explain why, as some clients just felt that we were manipulating them...
Most of the "Business to consumer" clients I dealt with, except for very small startups, were more aware that designers business practices rarely give files like this unless there is a specific up-front conversation about it, and there is a reason, like international translations in other markets,etc...
We did once have a client who demanded all files, but we charged them for it, a fee estimated on the guessed "unrealized" earnings, as well as a fee for the estimated hours we would spend trying to talk them through how to install fonts, etc.
BEWARE that if you do send these files, some clients may expect unlimited free tech support on how to make things work on their end, etc(!)
In the past, we were often able to sidestep this mess by saying "we use macs and various highly tweeked fonts, so if you put these files on your PC they will never look the same"
- nylon0
They already have the PDF.
They obviously want the InD files so they can change it themselves...
- < right, and any reasonable person (lawyer) can deduce that from the contract and work donemonospaced
- It's like asking a chef for their secret recipe so you can make the dish without having to visit the restaurant ever againmonospaced
- <yupmoldero
- hellrod0
Clients pay for the end product not the magic that goes into it. Do you expect the recipe every time you eat at a restaurant?
- monospaced0
Yes, it will piss them off. This happened to me, but luckily it was a tiny project with one deliverable (an ad) and it was for a friend's company. When they asked for the working files, I refused, and after almost losing a friend they eventually offered to buy them for a hefty fee. I think they did some research and came to that conclusion. If you stay professional you might be able to refuse without upsetting them too much.
- JG_LB0
always educate your clients and be explicit in your services. happens all the time in photo too in terms of licensing.
- feel0
just send them files, its not an original piece of modern art, its just a freaking job.
- Bad advice! It has nothing to do with art quality. Sending files kills future jobs, period.monospaced
- Feel obviously has a freaking 'job'. I have a freaking 'business'. You'll get paid next year. I won't.nylon
- yea, but nothing better than having a nice relationship with your client, that should count.feel
- and by "job" i meant that is just 1 project of your many projects, its actually a good thing if they hire you to do only original work, not ajustments and shitfeel
- ...work, not ajustments and shitfeel
- cannonball19780
If it is explicit and up front, it is in your favor. If it is assumed, it is in their favor. Put it in writing or take it in the culo.
- monospaced0
If you have even the MOST BASIC contract, you're covered in not giving them the working files. A basic contract lists a deliverable, and its cost. They agree, they get deliverable, they pay, contract complete.
Asking for more is a new contract because it's an ENTIRELY different deliverable. Sorry, this isn't rocket science, and they should agree. You simply point at contract and say, hey, I gave you exactly what we agreed on, I don't need to state that you don't get my tools. Anyway, if they're asking for fonts they didn't buy outright, you can't legally pass those one either.