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Drafting General Terms and Conditions for Graphic Designers

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Mr. Jaime Boogaers
Mr. Jaime Boogaers
Corporate Law
Attorney, 16 years of experience

In graphic design, it must be clear what the client is buying: usually not a full transfer of all rights and source files, but an agreed right of use to the final design. That is precisely where many disputes arise

  • For graphic designers, designers, agencies, and creative freelancers
  • Attention to briefing, revisions, additional work, and delivery
  • Copyright, usage rights, source files, and portfolio usage regulated
  • Practically useful for quotations, design processes, and recurring assignments

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About us

Our expertise in terms and conditions for graphic designers

Our lawyers and in-house counsel assist graphic designers, designers, creative agencies, and freelancers with terms and conditions, design contracts, licensing agreements, and IP provisions. We review briefings, revisions, copyright, usage rights, source files, print work, portfolios, payment, and liability.

Custom solutions for your design practice

A logo designer, brand designer, DTP specialist, packaging designer, or campaign agency does not need the same terms and conditions. Therefore, we tailor the terms and conditions to your work, clients, files, rights, and commercial risks.

Our facts

  • Active since 2001
  • Lawyers and in-house counsel
  • Experience with copyright, creative services, and licenses
  • Attention to revisions, source files, usage rights, and payment
  • Fixed rates in advance where possible
  • Customization
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About us

Our expertise in terms and conditions for graphic designers

Our lawyers and in-house counsel assist graphic designers, designers, creative agencies, and freelancers with terms and conditions, design contracts, licensing agreements, and IP provisions. We review briefings, revisions, copyright, usage rights, source files, print work, portfolios, payment, and liability.

Custom solutions for your design practice

A logo designer, brand designer, DTP specialist, packaging designer, or campaign agency does not need the same terms and conditions. Therefore, we tailor the terms and conditions to your work, clients, files, rights, and commercial risks.

Our facts

  • Active since 2001
  • Lawyers and in-house counsel
  • Experience with copyright, creative services, and licenses
  • Attention to revisions, source files, usage rights, and payment
  • Fixed rates in advance where possible

Reviews (21)

Judith

The initial meeting confirmed that we had made the right choice. Our questions were answered calmly and clearly. Fantastic value for money for this level of expertise.

Moad

We were immediately reassured after a worrying situation. The proactive attitude while waiting for feedback from our counterparty was very pleasant. The quality fully met our expectations.

Sebastian

The expertise was immediately evident from the first contact. The speed with which complex legislative changes were integrated into our document was excellent. Our clients are responding positively to the clear general terms and conditions.

Ibrahim

We really appreciated the transparency regarding the costs upfront. The aftercare and the opportunity to ask brief questions were perfectly arranged. A reliable partner that strives for perfection in their documents.

Ilse

The clear start gave us a lot of confidence for the rest of the process. We were also able to ask questions after receiving the document. The document was accepted flawlessly by our investors.

Mounia

We received pleasant assistance from the very first contact. The complexity of our shareholder structure was effortlessly translated into the agreement. These documents will undoubtedly save us a lot of headaches in the future.

Yusuf

The working method was clear from the start. The empathy and understanding of the lawyer made this a very pleasant collaboration. A party that delivers on what it promises on its website.

Erik

We ran into a complex contractual issue, but were helped quickly. They understood that, as a startup, we have different needs than an established corporate. Everything was delivered neatly and on time.

Omar

Right from the intake, it was clear that we were dealing with specialists. They pointed out tax risks in the contract that we hadn't considered at all. A party that delivers on what it promises on its website.

Sandra

We quickly gained a clear picture of the possibilities. The final document looked professional. The end result aligns 100% with our high standards.

Luca

The clear structure of the process was well communicated in advance. The service felt personal and reliable. Our clients respond positively to the clear general terms and conditions.

Manon

They really thought along with our situation. It was nice that they didn't charge by the hour for a simple extra question. Our customers respond positively to the clear general terms and conditions.

Mehmet

The lawyer took the time to explain everything thoroughly. The advice was not only legally sound but also practically feasible in daily practice. The document was flawlessly accepted by our investors.

Safae

The direct contact and the absence of hidden costs were the deciding factors. We were also able to ask questions after the initial consultation. Fantastic value for money for this level of expertise.

Wim

They acted quickly when we indicated that there was a sense of urgency. The document was clearly aligned with our working method. The document was accepted flawlessly by our investors.

Tim

We quickly gained insight into the key risks. The advice was not only legally sound but also practically feasible in daily practice. A reliable partner striving for perfection in their documents.

Suzanne

From the intake, it was clear what we could expect. The content aligned well with our company. The document was flawlessly accepted by our investors.

Inge

We quickly received the right guidance in a legal landscape unfamiliar to us. Throughout the process, we were constantly kept well informed of the progress. The final result aligns 100% with our high standards.

Lina

We were looking for certainty and received it immediately in the first meeting. The translation of our wishes into watertight legal provisions was impressive. Everything was delivered neatly and on time.

Samira

We had many questions, but these were answered patiently and promptly. The atmosphere during the discussions was always relaxed but highly focused on results. The document was accepted flawlessly by our investors.

Kevin

Our company was carefully inquired about. The guidance during the drafting of the general terms and conditions was invaluable. The quality fully met our expectations.

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The founders of MKB Juristen

Our organization consists of several small teams working within various legal fields. Each legal field has its own senior in-house counsel and/or lawyers.

Denian Wielhouwer

Corporate lawyer in corporate law & business expert

Denian Wielhouwer

Annelore Hendriks

Corporate lawyer, corporate law, administrative law

Annelore Hendriks

Ilja van Driel

Corporate law attorney, employment law

Ilja van Driel

Jaime Boogaers

Corporate law, ICT & privacy law, energy law attorney

Jaime Boogaers
Custom choices

Which choices determine the content?

A few choices determine how strict or flexible your terms and conditions turn out. Answer these questions in advance so that your terms and conditions fit your working methods.

Choice or question Why this matters legally
Does the copyright remain with you or do you transfer it? If you retain the right, you grant only a user license; if you transfer it, this must be done in writing and a higher rate is customary.
Do you work with a deposit or prepayment? A down payment covers your initial investment and reduces your payment risk for larger orders.
How many rounds of corrections are included? A fixed number prevents working overtime endlessly; anything above that is charged as additional work.
Do you supply to private individuals or business customers? Mandatory protection rules apply to consumers, including information obligations and the right of withdrawal; your terms and conditions may not deviate from these.
Do you engage printers or other third parties yourself? Determine whether you are acting as a consignor or as a contractor, as this determines who is responsible for the execution by that third party.
Clauses and provisions

Which elements belong in general terms and conditions for a graphic designer?

The sections below cover the most important risks for a graphic designer: from quotations and additional work to copyright, payment, and liability. Include them in conjunction so that your terms and conditions form a cohesive whole.

Provision Relevant to Legal point of attention
Quotation and conclusion of contract Always Specify how long a quotation is valid and when the order is binding, so that there is no dispute regarding the price.
Copyright and usage rights Always Stipulate that the copyright remains with you and the client receives a right of use; you arrange a full transfer separately and in writing.
Correction rounds and additional work Always Indicate how many proofs and revision rounds are included and that extra work will be charged at your hourly rate.
Delivery and completion deadlines Upon agreed deadlines Make deadlines indicative unless expressly agreed otherwise, to limit liability for delay.
Payment and payment term Always State the term, any down payment, interest, and collection costs for late payment.
Liability Always Limit your liability, for example to the invoice amount, and exclude consequential damages and printing errors after approval of the proof.
Attribution and portfolio Recommended Stipulate that you may display the work in your portfolio and are entitled to attribution.
Applicable law and disputes Always Declare Dutch law applicable and designate the competent court.
Use in practice

How do you use this document correctly?

General terms and conditions are only effective if the client is aware of and accepts them before the assignment starts. Follow these steps to ensure they apply legally.

Situation What should you do? Point of attention
For sending the quotation Attach the terms and conditions or refer clearly to them Only conditions that have been provided in a timely manner are applicable and enforceable.
Upon order confirmation Have the client approve the quotation and terms A demonstrable agreement prevents discussion regarding price, scope, and rights.
Upon completion of the test Request written approval of the print proof Upon approval, errors in the proof are at the client's expense.
In case of a change to the assignment Confirm additional work in writing before you carry it out This way, you can charge for extra hours with proper justification and without surprises.
Common mistakes

Common mistakes

The following mistakes are common among graphic designers and cost money or royalties. Prevent them with clear agreements in advance.

Wrong Consequence Better approach
Send terms and conditions only with the invoice The terms and conditions do not apply to the assignment Provide them along with the quotation and have them accepted.
Do not arrange copyright Uncertainty regarding reuse and tacit transfer of rights Stipulate that the right remains with you and grant a defined user license.
No limit on correction rounds Continue working unpaid on endless changes Agree on a fixed number of tests and charge for multiple rounds as extra work.
Do not limit liability Risk of high claims due to printing errors or consequential damage Limit liability to the invoice amount and exclude consequential damages.
No payment terms or down payment Long waiting time for payment and high debtor risk Use a fixed term, require a down payment, and arrange for interest and collection costs.
Risk profile

What is your situation and what do you pay attention to?

Depending on your clients and working methods, the points of attention differ. Recognize your situation and align your terms and conditions accordingly.

Risk profile Example Focus in the document
You work for consumers Private customers enjoy additional legal protection Take into account information obligations and the right of withdrawal for distance contracts.
You work for companies Business clients with recurring assignments Strictly define the license, additional work, and payment terms, and exclude liability where possible.
You transfer full rights The client wants to become the exclusive owner of the design Arrange the transfer in writing and separately, and calculate appropriate compensation.
You hire printers or suppliers The execution is partly outsourced to third parties Clearly define who is responsible for printing and execution errors and limit your role.
Additional documents

When is this document not enough?

General terms and conditions govern the basis of your assignments, but not every situation. In the following cases, you will need additional documents or assistance.

Situation Supplementary document Why
Situation Related document Explanation
You work structurally with another creative or agency Cooperation Agreement Establishes the division of tasks, rights, and profit sharing between collaborating parties.
You share confidential information or concepts for a pitch Confidentiality Agreement Protects your ideas and customer data from disclosure.
A customer does not pay your invoice despite reminders Debt collection We collect outstanding invoices for you so that you receive your money.
Explanation of this document

Drafting General Terms and Conditions for Graphic Designers, why?

Not every entrepreneur knows exactly what general terms and conditions for graphic designers are, when you need them, and which risks they must cover. That is why we explain below what this document entails, what you should look out for, and why customized legal frameworks are important.

What are the general terms and conditions for a graphic designer?
General Terms and Conditions for a graphic designer are the standard clauses applied by a graphic designer or design agency to all assignments: logo design and corporate identity development, print design, web design, packaging design, illustrations, infographics, social media visuals, animations, and motion graphics. They regulate matters not exhaustively listed in the order confirmation: copyright on the delivered design, license terms per purpose of use and medium, revision terms and additional work regulations for supplementary changes, liability for printing and production errors, payment and delivery terms, and portrait rights regulations regarding the use of images of persons in the design. Graphic designers find themselves in a particularly vulnerable legal position: they deliver creative work that is irreversible once it has been put into production—a print order that has been placed, a website that has gone live—and they hold the copyright to their design under the Copyright Act, whereas clients typically wish to possess that right in full. Without well-drafted General Terms and Conditions, most graphic designers work year after year without contractual protection for their most valuable asset: their creative output. Our legal experts draft general terms and conditions for graphic designers that correctly protect the copyright on the design, clearly formulate the licensing structure per purpose of use, ensure the revision policy protects your revenue during endless rounds of adjustments, and properly limit liability for production errors.
How do you protect your copyright on delivered designs?
Copyright , copyright transfer requires an express written deed: a standard clause in the General Terms and Conditions stating that "all rights pass upon payment" is insufficient. Your General Terms and Conditions must explicitly establish the standard position: the copyright on the design remains with the designer unless a transfer has been expressly agreed upon in writing. Upon delivery, the client obtains a usage license that is limited in purpose, medium, and duration. This license is precisely defined: use of the logo on the client's company website and printed matter is included; use of the design for licensing to third parties, merchandising, or sale of the design as an independent product requires an additional agreement. A particular point of attention: the employer's rights under Article 7 of the Copyright Act apply exclusively to an employment contract — a self-employed designer working on commission is not an employee, and copyright does not automatically transfer to the client upon completion of the assignment. Your General Terms and Conditions must explicitly state this to prevent disputes. Our legal experts draft a copyright clause that fully protects your creative work.
How do you structure the license terms by purpose of use and medium?
The licensing structure is the most direct revenue protection instrument for graphic designers. A logo designed for use on a company website and business cards has a different commercial value than the same logo used in a national television campaign, on packaging distributed internationally, or on resold merchandise. Without a precise licensing structure, the client pays a one-time fee for the design and uses it for any conceivable purpose, forever, without additional compensation. Your Terms and Conditions must define the license by dimension. Purpose of use: business use by the client themselves, commercial use in advertising campaigns, use by third parties, or licensing. Medium: print, online, social media, television, outdoor advertising, packaging, merchandise. Geographic scope: local, national, European, worldwide. Duration: for the duration of the assignment, five years, unlimited. Exclusivity: may the designer use the design or similar elements for other clients? Any extension of the license beyond the standard is an additional service that is compensated separately. Our legal experts draft a licensing structure that is suitable for every type of design assignment.
How do you handle the revision scheme and the additional work scheme for supplementary adjustments?
Endless revision rounds are the most common cause of revenue loss for graphic designers. The client pays for a design but expects ten rounds of adjustments, subtle color changes, textual updates, and structural redesigns as part of the original price. Without a clear revision policy in your Terms and Conditions, every request for adjustment is free additional work. Your Terms and Conditions must specify the number of revision rounds included per assignment. A common structure: the assignment sum includes the initial draft and two revision rounds. Each additional revision round is invoiced at the agreed hourly rate. A revision round is defined as a set of comments delivered in a single document or communication relating to the design in its current state. Comments on a revision that has already been implemented count as a new revision round. Your Terms and Conditions must also structural change from a revision: if the client wishes to fundamentally change the concept of the design—a different direction, a different color palette, a different style—after approval of the initial draft, this is not a revision but a new assignment phase that is quoted separately. Our legal experts draft a revision and additional work arrangement that protects your hourly rate during additional adjustment rounds.
How do you handle liability for printing errors and production errors?
Printing errors and production errors constitute a particularly high-risk area of ​​liability for graphic designers. A typographical error in a print run of ten thousand brochures, a color deviation during printing due to an incorrectly set color profile, or an incorrect size in a packaging design resulting in an ill-fitting package — the repair costs for a print order are typically substantial. Your General Terms and Conditions must structure the liability provisions regarding printing errors on two levels. First, the approval procedure: the client is obliged to check the print-ready file — the PDF or the production file — and approve it in writing before the print order is placed. After the client approves the print-ready file, the designer's liability for errors present in that file—which could have been discovered upon careful inspection—is waived. A client who grants approval without careful inspection bears the risk of errors in the approved file. Second, production liability:if the designer also supervises production — engages a printer, orders materials — their liability for production errors is limited to direct repair costs and capped at the contract sum. Consequential damages — missed marketing deadline, loss of revenue due to delayed launch — are expressly excluded for business clients. Our legal experts formulate an approval procedure and limitation of liability that prevents the most common printing disputes.
How do you manage the use of stock material, fonts, and third-party rights in the design?
Graphic designers regularly use third-party materials in their designs :licensed stock photos and stock illustrations, commercial typefaces (fonts), icon libraries, and open-source images. Each of these materials has its own licensing terms that determine how the material may be used. A stock photo licensed for use on a website may require a separate license for use on packaging or in print above a certain print run. A commercial typeface licensed for desktop use generally may not be embedded in a website font without a web font license. Your Terms and Conditions must explicitly set out the division of responsibility for third-party licenses. The designer informs the client about the stock material used and the corresponding scope of the license. If the client wishes to use the design outside the scope of the license of the stock material used, the costs for a more extensive license shall be borne by the client. The client indemnifies the designer against claims from rights holders for use of the design outside the scope of the license if the designer has informed the client in a timely manner about the license restrictions. Our legal experts draft a third-party license clause that protects the designer against copyright claims from stock libraries and font manufacturers.
How does it work at MKBjuristen?
After a brief intake regarding your type of design assignments, your client portfolio, and your specific risks, our legal experts draft general terms and conditions for your graphic design practice that correctly protect the copyright on your designs, clearly formulate the licensing structure per purpose of use, ensure the revision policy protects your revenue during revision rounds, limit your liability through the approval procedure for printed matter, and correctly address third-party licensing issues. Do you already have general terms and conditions? If so, we will review them against the legislative amendment of January 1, 2026, regarding copyright transfer, the definition of revisions, and the approval procedure for print-ready files.
Are you unsure whether your document is legally correct? We would be happy to assess the sensible course of action: drafting, reviewing, or amending.
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Why not use a standard document?

A standard document often seems like a quick solution, but usually does not fully align with your company, agreements, risks, and way of working. Our legal experts draft documents that fit your situation.

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SME Lawyers
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Tailored to your company, industry, and working methods
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Explanation regarding the use of the document

A standard document seems cheap, until it doesn't fit your situation properly. That is why we provide custom legal solutions tailored to your business.

Customization per design practice

Not every graphic designer faces the same legal risks. Therefore, we do not create generic terms and conditions, but tailor them to design type, client type, rights, revisions, and delivery.

Logo & corporate identity

Attention to copyright, usage license, exclusivity, source files, and transfer.

Printing & DTP

Attention to proofs, color deviations, file submission, printer, and corrections.

Social media design

Attention to templates, platforms, planning, reuse, and content rights.

Packaging design

Attention to legal claims, production, printing, proofreading, and liability.

Campaign & advertising

Attention to media, duration, area, buy-out, third-party use, and exclusivity.

Design agency

Attention to framework agreements, project scope, team deployment, IP, confidentiality, and payment.


General terms and conditions for graphic designers must clearly define rights and expectations. Therefore, we look at revisions, copyright, usage rights, source files, portfolio, print work, and payment.

Common mistakes in graphic designer terms and conditions

In graphic design, things often go wrong because clients expect unlimited revisions, full rights, or source files without this having been agreed upon.

  • Do not include a maximum number of revision rounds
  • Do not clearly separate copyright and usage rights
  • Do not exclude source files and editable files or prices
  • Do not define client content, image rights, and text claims
  • Do not arrange printing, color differences, and third-party production
  • Portfolio usage and confidentiality forgotten
  • Do not label urgent work and additional concepts as extra work
  • Let usage rights take effect before full payment is

Draft general terms and conditions for your graphic design practice properly and prevent unnecessary problems in the future. Good terms prevent disputes regarding design, revisions, rights, files, payment, and liability.

Are general terms and conditions mandatory for graphic designers?

No, but they are highly recommended because they record agreements regarding design, revisions, rights, source files, payment, and liability.

Does copyright remain with the designer?

Usually yes, unless rights are transferred in writing. The customer typically receives a right of use.

Do I need to provide source files?

No, not automatically. Clearly define whether source files are excluded or priced separately.

Can I charge extra revisions as additional work?

Yes, if the number of included revisions and the additional work arrangement have been clearly agreed upon in advance.

Can MKB Juristen review existing terms and conditions for my design company?

Yes. We check revisions, copyright, usage rights, source files, printed matter, payment, and liability, among other things.

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Annelore Hendriks

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SME Lawyers at the Chamber of Commerce Source: Chamber of Commerce 2019
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