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Never Work Without a Freelance Design Contract

Craft a Contract for Your Desktop Publishing Business

By , About.com Guide

Craft a Graphic Design Contract for Your Business

Using graphic design contracts is standard procedure for freelance designers.

Every design project should start with a freelance design contract. Contracts are standard operating procedure for businesses. It doesn't matter whether your client is a family member, a longtime associate, or someone that you just know is trustworthy, if you work without a design contract you and your business run a huge risk of not being taken seriously and you risk losing money, losing clients, and even losing friends.

You can put together a freelance design contract on your own pulling elements from some of the freelance contract samples available online; however, you probably should have a lawyer look over any contract you plan to use. It is, after all, a legal document.

Explore the key components of a freelance design contract.

  1. Freelance Contract Components: Project Details
  2. Freelance Contract Components: Project Costs
  3. Freelance Contract Components: Ownership and Copyright

This article is part of our free Start a Desktop Publishing or Graphic Design Business Email Course. Learn more about the course and sign up now.

Doing Desktop Publishing & Graphic Design
Training, Education, Jobs:Careers in Desktop Publishing
In the Classroom: Back to School With Desktop Publishing
Jobs: How to Find an Entry-Level Design Job or Internship
Business: How to Start a Freelance Desktop Publishing or Graphic Design Business
Pick Your Path to Desktop Publishing
Get Started:Basic Guidelines and Requirements for Desktop Publishing
Choose Software:Desktop Publishing and Design Software
Tips & Tutorials:How to Do Desktop Publishing
Make Something: Things to Make Using Desktop Publishing
Use Templates: Templates for Print and Web Publishing

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