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Design Package Agreement

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Design Package Agreement

This Design Package Agreement (the Agreement) is entered into as of by and between ("Client") and ("Designer").

Recitals

WHEREAS, Designer provides professional graphic and digital design services and has represented that Designer has the skills, qualifications, and resources to perform the services described in this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, Client desires to engage Designer to provide the design services described in this Agreement and Designer agrees to provide such services under the terms set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, the parties agree as follows:

Scope of Work

Client is entitled to rounds of revisions per deliverable included in the Package. Additional revisions will be billed at the hourly rate of per hour.

Timeline

Designer will commence work on or about and estimates completion of the initial deliverables by . Time estimates are contingent upon timely receipt of Client materials and approvals.

Payment Terms

Late payments shall incur a late fee of per month or a flat fee of whichever is greater, applied to overdue balances until paid in full.

Expenses

Client will reimburse Designer for pre-approved third-party expenses reasonably incurred in connection with the Project, including but not limited to stock imagery, font licenses, printing, and vendor fees. Reimbursable expenses require prior written approval when anticipated to exceed .

Ownership and Intellectual Property

Upon receipt of full payment of all amounts due under this Agreement, Designer assigns to Client all right, title and interest in the final deliverables specifically created for Client under this Agreement, subject to the rights of any third-party licensors. Until full payment is received, Designer retains sole ownership of said work product and grants Client a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use preliminary materials for review purposes only.

Confidentiality

Each party agrees to hold in confidence and not disclose any confidential information of the other party and to use such confidential information only for the purposes of performing this Agreement. Confidential information does not include information that: (a) is or becomes publicly available through no fault of the receiving party; (b) was lawfully in the receiving party's possession prior to disclosure; or (c) is independently developed by the receiving party without use of the disclosing party's confidential information.

Term and Termination

The term of this Agreement shall commence on and continue until unless earlier terminated pursuant to this section. Either party may terminate this Agreement for convenience upon days' prior written notice. Upon termination, Client will pay Designer for all work performed and approved expenses incurred through the effective date of termination.

Warranties; Liability; Indemnification

Designer represents that the services will be performed in a professional and workmanlike manner consistent with industry standards. EXCEPT FOR THE EXPRESS WARRANTY IN THIS PARAGRAPH, THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND DESIGNER DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. IN NO EVENT WILL EITHER PARTY BE LIABLE FOR CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR SPECIAL DAMAGES. EACH PARTY SHALL INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS THE OTHER FROM THIRD-PARTY CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF ITS BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ITS GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT.

Cancellation and Refunds

Client may cancel the Project in writing. If cancellation occurs after work has commenced, Client will be responsible for all fees earned and expenses incurred up to the date of cancellation. Deposit is non-refundable except at Designer's sole discretion when cancellation occurs prior to any substantive work.

Governing Law; Entire Agreement

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of , without regard to its conflicts of law principles. This Agreement, including any attachments or exhibits, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, proposals, and communications, whether written or oral, relating to the subject matter hereof.

Miscellaneous

Any amendment or modification of this Agreement must be in writing and signed by both parties. If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. Neither party may assign this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other, except that Designer may assign to a successor in interest in connection with a merger or sale of substantially all of its assets.

Signatures

Client Name:

By:

Date:

Designer Name:

By:

Date:

Enter text✕

What a Design Package Agreement Is and Why It Matters

A Design Package Agreement is a written contract that defines scope, deliverables, timelines, fees, intellectual property rights, and acceptance criteria for design services such as branding, UX/UI, architecture, or print production. It formalizes expectations between a client and a designer or agency, reduces scope disputes, and creates an enforceable record of obligations, payments, and amendment procedures. The agreement typically includes schedules, change-order procedures, milestones, payment terms, confidentiality clauses, and a signature block for authorized signers to confirm acceptance and begin work.

Why Use a Design Package Agreement

A clear Design Package Agreement protects both parties by documenting scope, deliverables, timelines, payment milestones, and IP ownership. It reduces disputes, clarifies change-order procedures, and supports enforceability if performance or payment issues arise.

Why Use a Design Package Agreement

Who Typically Prepares and Signs This Agreement

The agreement is used by individual designers, creative agencies, clients, and procurement teams to formalize design engagements before work begins.

  • Freelance designers and small studios — use concise scope, fixed-price or hourly rates, and clear acceptance criteria for deliverables.
  • Creative and digital agencies — include phased milestones, testing criteria, subcontractor provisions, and invoicing schedules.
  • Corporate procurement and legal teams — add indemnities, data handling, confidentiality, and governing law clauses for compliance.

Parties should ensure the signer has authority to bind the organization and that the agreement is signed and dated before services commence.

Essential Elements to Include in a Professional Agreement

A complete Design Package Agreement organizes commercial and legal terms so expectations are measurable and enforceable.

Scope

Describe deliverables in detail (file types, resolutions, page counts), acceptance criteria, and any exclusions to prevent scope creep during the project lifecycle.

Schedule

List milestones with dates or timeframes, review cycles, and client response windows; tie payments to milestone completion to align incentives.

Fees & Payments

State total fees, deposit amounts, invoicing cadence, late payment interest, and expense reimbursement to avoid billing disputes.

Intellectual Property

Specify whether rights transfer on final payment, include licensing terms for pre-existing materials, and address moral rights or attribution requirements.

Change Orders

Provide a written process for scope changes: how to request, estimate time/cost impacts, and obtain mutual written approval before proceeding.

Termination

Define termination rights, notice periods, payment for work performed, and procedures for returning or retaining work-in-progress and client materials.

Step-by-Step: Completing the Agreement

Follow these sequential steps to prepare, review, and execute the Design Package Agreement.

  • 01
    Prepare draft: Populate scope, schedule, and fees clearly.
  • 02
    Internal review: Have legal or procurement review unusual clauses.
  • 03
    Client review: Share draft with client and document changes.
  • 04
    Execute: Collect authorized signatures and dates from all parties.

Typical Digital Signing Flow

Digital execution streamlines signing while preserving an auditable record of who signed, when, and from where.

  • Upload Document: Host the agreement PDF or DOCX in the signing platform.
  • Place Fields: Add signature, date, and initial fields where required.
  • Invite Signers: Enter signer emails or generate a secure signing link.
  • Record Completion: Platform captures timestamps, IP, and audit trail.

Configuring an Efficient eSigning Workflow

Configure field types, authentication, and routing for a low-friction signing experience.

Field Configuration
Signature Field Require signer initials and signature
Date Field Auto-populate with signer date
Conditional Fields Show fields only when certain options selected
Routing Order Set signers to sequential or parallel as needed

Digital Signing and Compatibility Considerations

Ensure the chosen eSignature platform supports the document formats and authentication methods you require.

  • File Formats: PDF, DOCX, and flattened images
  • Auth Options: Email link, SMS code, or KBA
  • Integrations: CRM and cloud storage connectors

Verify platform security features (TLS/AES encryption, audit trails) and any industry-specific compliance (for example HIPAA BAA) before storing sensitive client data.

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

  • Vague scope descriptions that omit file formats or quantities, which lead to divergent expectations and change-order disputes.
  • Missing signer authority or incorrect entity names that prevent enforceability and complicate payment processing.
  • No acceptance criteria or review windows, causing delays when clients neither approve nor return requested revisions.
  • Failure to align payment milestones with deliverables, creating cash-flow disputes and heightened termination risk.

Risks and Consequences of an Incomplete or Incorrect Agreement

Unenforceable Terms: Ambiguous IP clauses can void ownership transfers
Payment Disputes: Unclear payment terms lead to late or withheld payments
Scope Creep: Undefined deliverables increase unpaid work risk
Regulatory Noncompliance: Missing HIPAA or data clauses risks regulatory penalties
Invalid Signatures: Improper signer authority may render contract void
Termination Exposure: No termination terms increase litigation risk

Practical Tips for Accurate and Efficient Completion

Applying these practical measures reduces errors and accelerates approvals.

Use Clear, Measurable Deliverables
Define outputs by file type, count, resolution, and acceptance checklist so both parties have the same expectations and the review and approval process is objective.
Link Payments to Milestones
Structure deposits, interim payments, and final balances to reflect completed, accepted work so invoicing disputes are minimized and cash flow is predictable.
Document Change Orders
Require written change-order approvals with cost and schedule impacts; log each change to maintain accurate project scope and billing records.
Record Authorization and Consent
Ensure signers include printed name, title, and date; retain proof of authority or purchase order to demonstrate consent and reduce enforceability challenges.

How Organizations Use a Design Package Agreement in Practice

These short examples show real-world situations where a clear agreement prevented disputes and accelerated delivery.

Martin Properties (Founder)

Tim Martin needed remote sign-off on renovation renderings to meet a closing deadline.

  • Project used milestone payments and staged deliverables to align with lender inspections.
  • The executed agreement allowed timely approvals and final payment without in-person meetings, preserving the closing schedule and providing a clear acceptance record for the lender and contractor.

Optica Ventures (COO)

Brian Fitzgibbons implemented standardized design packages for multiple startups to reduce review cycles.

  • Templates included IP transfer and acceptance checklists.
  • Standard contracts reduced review time, decreased billing disputes, and ensured all deliverables met investor and portfolio company requirements before funds were released.

Common Timeframes and Deadlines to Include

Include explicit dates and turnaround windows to avoid ambiguity around delivery and approvals.

Proposal Acceptance Deadline:

Client must sign or reject within 14 days to secure rate and start date

Initial Deposit Due:

Deposit payable within 7 days of countersignature to begin work

Design Delivery Milestone:

Designer delivers initial concepts within 21 business days of deposit

Review Cycle:

Client returns feedback within 5 business days for each revision round

Final Acceptance:

Final sign-off and final payment due within 10 business days of delivery

Select eSignature Pricing and Feature Comparison

Below is a concise comparison of key eSignature pricing and capabilities. signNow is listed first per platform selection guidelines.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies Varies Varies Varies
Bulk Send Yes (Premium) Varies Varies Varies Varies
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes (BAA required) Varies Varies Varies Varies
Envelope Cap No envelope cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies Varies Varies

Frequently Asked Questions About Design Package Agreements

Answers to typical legal and practical questions when preparing, signing, and storing a Design Package Agreement.


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