General Working Terms | High Realm Graphics

About these terms

These terms apply to all graphic design and printing services provided by Ironclad Artisan Inc., doing business as High Realm Graphics (“HRG,” “I,” or “me”) to you, the client. By requesting a proposal, approving an estimate, making a payment or otherwise asking me to begin work, you agree to these terms. If a signed proposal or contract says something different, the signed document applies.

Our working relationship

I work as an independent contractor in a business-to-business, non-exclusive relationship. This is not an employment or work-for-hire arrangement.
I work with one assigned decision-maker per project, so feedback stays clear and consistent. If that person becomes unavailable, we will agree on another contact.
If you are a designer, agency or other professional subcontracting my services to your own client, these terms apply to you, and you are responsible for communication with your client.
I don’t provide secretarial, administrative or virtual assistant services, such as proofreading, file management or coordinating with other vendors.

What I need from you

Final, approved text (copy), plus photos, logos and other materials in digital format.
Clear instructions. I can’t assume what isn’t said, and I’m not responsible for ambiguities.
Confirmation that you own or have permission to use everything you give me, including photos, artwork, fonts and other companies’ logos.
Any trademark, copyright or legal clearances needed before your materials are published.
Timely feedback and approvals. Delays on your side may move the schedule.

Estimates and pricing

Projects are quoted by written proposal or estimate. I don’t give estimates over the phone, so please request one in writing.
Estimates are based on the scope described, are not a guarantee of final price, and expire after 30 days unless noted.
Work requested that isn’t in the approved scope is additional work. It may change the price and the schedule, and I am not responsible for deadlines that move because of it.
If you ask me to start without a written estimate, I will bill for the time and materials used.
Stock photos, special fonts, plugins and other extra costs are added only with your approval.

Payment

A deposit, as stated in your proposal, is required before work begins. It reserves my time and is applied to your final invoice.
Invoices are due upon receipt unless your proposal says otherwise. Larger projects may be invoiced at milestones.
I may pause work on a project until overdue invoices are paid, and I may hold final files until payment is received in full.
Please don’t withhold payment for completed work. Use of any deliverable before it is paid for is unauthorized.

Retainers

For ongoing or planned support, monthly retainers are available. They are paid in advance for an agreed amount of work, and retainer clients are scheduled ahead of non-retainer work. Retainers do not include printing, shipping or material costs, and work beyond the retainer is invoiced separately. Rush requests are still scheduled ahead of retainer work and may carry a rush fee.

Design process, revisions and approval

Discovery and research: I learn about your organization, audience and goals, and research what your project needs.
Design: I create concepts or layouts based on your direction.
Revisions: Your project includes two rounds of revisions unless your proposal says otherwise. Additional rounds, or changes that go beyond the approved direction, are billed at my regular rate.
Finalization: Once you approve the design, I prepare the final files for their intended use, such as web or print.

A project is closed when the final files have been delivered to you. Changes requested after that are treated as a new project.

Schedule and rush work

Timelines are estimates, not guarantees, and depend on my availability and on prompt feedback from you. New projects are normally scheduled for no sooner than the next business day. Rush or same-day work is possible when I have availability and may carry a rush fee.

Ownership and usage rights

Final artwork: When your invoice is paid in full, you own the rights to the final approved design for its intended use. Until then, I retain all rights to the work.
Working files: Native, editable files (such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop or InDesign files), sketches and unused concepts stay mine. They can be purchased separately if you need them.
Your materials: Anything you provide remains yours or its original owner’s.
Third-party assets: Stock images, fonts and other licensed elements are subject to their own licenses, which may limit how or where they can be used.
Portfolio: Unless we have signed a confidentiality agreement, I may show the completed work in my portfolio, on my website and in my marketing.

Printing

I arrange professional printing through trade-only vendors. Before a job goes to print, it must be paid in full and you must sign a proof approval. Printing stays on hold until both are done.

You are responsible for checking proofs carefully, including text, spelling, numbers and colors. I’m not responsible for errors in content you provided or approved.
If printing does not match what you approved, I will arrange a corrected reprint at no cost to you, or credit you the cost of that printing.
Printed colors can differ slightly from what you see on a screen.
If I can’t fulfill your printing, I’ll provide print-ready files so you can use your own printer. I’m not responsible for issues that arise with printers I don’t work with.

Cancellations and refunds

If you cancel, or stop responding, during a project, your deposit is not refundable and you will be billed for work completed to date, including any expenses already incurred.
Because design is a creative service, I do not offer refunds once concepts or mockups have been delivered that match the approved project plan.
If you see something that doesn’t match the plan, please tell me promptly so I can correct it.

Confidentiality

I treat non-public information you share about your organization as confidential and use it only to do your work. If you need a formal non-disclosure agreement, please ask before we begin.

File storage

I keep project files as a courtesy, but I’m not responsible for storing your files. Please save the final files I send you. Re-sending files later may carry a fee.

Limitation of liability

I’m not responsible for missed emails, technical problems, or misunderstandings caused by unclear or incomplete information. To the fullest extent allowed by law, my liability for any claim related to my services is limited to the amount you paid for the project in question, and I am not liable for indirect or consequential losses, such as lost profits.

General

These terms are governed by the laws of the State of New York. If any part of them is found unenforceable, the rest still applies. I may update these terms from time to time; the version in effect when you approve a project applies to that project. Questions? Contact me.