MultiHub Forum

I've recently started taking on more freelance graphic design projects, and I've been burned twice now by clients who were vague about revisions and payment terms. I realize I need a solid, legally-sound freelance contract template to protect myself before starting any new work. I've found a few free templates online, but they seem overly generic and don't address specific issues like intellectual property ownership for unused concepts or kill fees for canceled projects. For those who have been freelancing for a while, where did you find or how did you develop your contract? Are there any specific clauses you consider non-negotiable for creative work, and is it worth investing in a lawyer to customize a template, or are there reputable paid resources you'd recommend?

Great decision to lock this in early. For solid foundations, start with reputable templates and adapt them to your workflow. Look at the Graphic Artists Guild freelance design contracts, the AIGA Design Business Handbook templates, and public templates on Docracy. You can also lean on general small-business contract templates from Nolo, LawDepot, or Rocket Lawyer. A simple SOW (scope of work) plus a short contract can save a lot of headaches before you start work.