Crafty Client Help...
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- nylon
"Hey Nylon, can you do me a real favour and send me the indesign files to that project you did for me 6 months ago? I'd really like to have them for reference"
Of course you want them for 'reference'...
So my thoughts are:
1. Safe in in CS6 for starter
2. Don't send any of the illustrator .eps files i.e. all the links will be missing...What would you guys do though seriously?
Thanks
- deathboy0
PDF reference sounds perfect for small file size and email
- deathboy0
PDF reference sounds perfect for small file size and email
- nylon0
But unless I send the InD file I look like a cunt though right?
- capn_ron0
you can say that the pdf is much smaller and wont require you to send the links and fonts etc.
- deathboy0
not really. if they said for reference a PDF makes the most sense. If than they ask for work files I'd be like hey this doesn't sound like reference, you find someone else or what
- monospaced0
You can always point out that in your contract, the deliverables don't include the working file, just the final artwork. Also, if you used typefaces that you paid for, they would have to buy those as well because it's illegal for you to just hand them over.
- Not as professional as Monospaced... Whats a contract?
nylon - It took me 1 or 2 of these situations before I started putting that sentence in.monospaced
- Will yo be my business parter please? 80/20 in your favour?nylon
- now you're mocking memonospaced
- Not as professional as Monospaced... Whats a contract?
- nylon0
I think I'd rather call her bluff and send the inD file so they then have to come back and ask for the files... Then I can say - why do you need the working files?
- capn_ron0
they most likely won't be able to deal with the files anyway, but sending the indesign files doesn't even make sense without the fonts and links. they can't even really reference that if they don't have that info. just do a pdf and explain that.
- nylon0
Capn_ron I agree - that just goes to show they are trying to be crafty!!
- doesnotexist0
original files are never part of the agreement, they cost money.
- randommail0
Just be totally straightforward and conduct yourself as a successful professional. Tell her that it's standard industry practice to charge a purchase fee for the working files as what she's paid for is the finished design but not the working files.
Do your best to explain logically and she should understand. If she gets upset, oh well for her.
- monospaced0
Here's a professional discussion on the subtleties of this situation.
- timeless0
send an indesign file with links to a print PDF that you send along as the only link in the indesign file
- or send it with all the type outlined, the grid removedmonospaced
- this isn't honesty.doesnotexist
- no, we are past the good advice and no moving on to sarcastadvicemonospaced
- ohhhh, right—sorry!doesnotexist
- chossy0
If they wanted something for reference they could easily look at your delivery files / end printed product etc.
They want to tinker with it and not pay you simple as that.
- fadein110
depends on your contract - they may own the work.
and if they are gonna just tinker and its basically just an artworking job are you bothered? what you gonna lose - 2 hours billable work?
let it go.
- shellie0
^ this or pdf that bitch. Why extend the conversation making them ask for the linked files that are missing. That makes you look far more cunty IMO since they obviously will know you know the file you just sent them does not work and isn't what they asked for (either the working file or a comparable format for "reference").
When clients ask for files after you've walked away from a project, it can be annoying. But it's common so calm down. Since you did not cover deliverables in a contract or statement of work (get yourself together there) and you gave them what they originally needed, you should just solve the problem instead of yanking someone around who may be giving you more business (from the same company or as a reference to another company) later. An unprofessional move here can turn a relationship between you and a client salty. I've had clients come back for files months and even a few years later. If i don't feel like giving that to them and my contract doesn't have an archiving clause I have to honor, I tell them something like "I archived the project and the drive wont mount, sorry". Pretty easy less fuss, doesn't seem like you're holding out on purpose. If I were you I'd just send them a PDF and just tell them the "drive" excuse for the working file or just give it up. Seems like its more fuss keeping the conversation going with them about not giving them the files.
- doesnotexist0
send them the pencil sketches you did before bringing it into the computer.
that'll show 'em!
- you should give them files and throw in InDesign tutoring for the next yearmonospaced