Designs and canceled orders charges?

[Robyn]

For all you screenprinters out there...

How much do you charge for T-shirt Designs and do you have order cancelation fees?

We've been printing for 10 years now, and I just had my very first customer cancel their order after I created their Christmas Family Reunion T-shirt design.

Normally I charge for computer/artwork prep, but I was trying to be nice and help this family keep the cost of their shirts down -- being that it is Christmas and all. So now I'm out, customer got a great design, and somebody else gets the t-shirt order.

I guess it's time to add some new policies to the quote forms and to change how artwork files are emailed for customer approval.

What is everyone else charging out there for designs and/or canceled orders? Any ideas on how to email artwork so that it can't be used by the customer?

Hopefully you all will have great customers in 2009!
Robyn (AZ)

[signman]

I would immediately send them a certified letter WITH A BILL for the artwork-because it belongs to YOU, not them!
And if by chance you know the shop doing the order-call them-and if they haven't done the order yet-just suggest that THEY might also have to pay YOU for using copyrighted artwork you own!
You do NOT have to officially 'copyright' artwork to own it-you just have to prove YOU did the design work and the customer didn't pay for it!
I had to haul a toy shop into court-he took my sign design and had another shop build the sign...and because I took 'screenshots' of the folder open on my computer with all his files and the dates on them, then printed out all the designs and workups..the judge said I proved I owned the design! Even though his logo was part of it-I owned the sign layout.
Don't get screwed out of it-your time is your money.
Normally I also include basic 'design' as part of a tee shirt order-but tell them up front they don't get the design to use for anything else or they have to pay for it. Now, for your use-from here on in-you NEVER EVER give a customer the design in printed form-period! They have to come to YOU to approve it. If you have to deal with a committee for approval-then right across the design-you have to have printed (do this in your artwork program) your logo, name & address-and
COPYRIGHT 2008 (or soon, 09) and that will prevent someone else from scanning it to use it to steal the order!
It's going to get worse, not better...clients are going to get 'free' artwork from us all and run to 'another shop' that will do the job cheaper (because they don't have to do the artwork!) so protect yourself!
Remember---there are 'graphic agencies' that do NOTHING but make designs and logos for people. THey get $50 or more per hour...and they don't print the shirts, or the business cards, or sew the jackets. All they do, is create artwork and get paid to do that. So why should any of US do the same thing for free? NEVER feel guilty charging for artwork-your TIME is your money!

[Body Cover]

We've learned the hard way several times over the years. Now if we want to be nice. We still explain that if they want to have us create a design, that they need to put down a deposit for this very reason, Also when we send a sample over e-mail, we explain that we are sending a low res JPG, we explain it with the idea that a small file won't clog up e-mails and extend downloads but it also makes it harder to duplicate, then if they want to see better detail we have them come in. You may also try putting a water mark on the design, mostly just a fairly simple transparent logo or marking stating your company name and all rights reserved. and also maybe create a framework for all your designs that state this same concept. Bottom line is if someone wants to rip you off, they are going to. Like Roland says if they use it without paying or permission then send a bill and maybe a nicely typed letter regarding intelectual property theft and plagerism. And make it a point to explain to other customers the reason for this policy, wouldn't hurt to have a sign up in customers view also.
As far as a cancelled order fee, good luck if you can get it. We find that gettin gsomeone to get out the checkbook or their charge card makes the commitment to the order very real, and if there just price checking, tell them when they put down their deposit you can put together some great design work, but no until then.

Good Luck
Ron

[Robyn]

Thanks for the feedback and suggestions. Appreciate your replies and your input. Not gonna let this one happen again.

Wishing everyone a blessed and Merry Christmas! This is a GREAT group of people and support!!!

Robyn (AZ)

[Steve]

I always get full payment up front before I start the order and tell them they have 24 hours to cancel or change the order (changing includes cancelling.) After 24 hours passes, I place the order with my suppliers and charge the credit card at that time.
I know some people get half up front and charge the other half at pick-up. This way you aren't as much money if something happens.
I hope that helps.

[JuneForever]

Does anyone have an example of the contract they use for this? I would love to see a sample of what you put out to the customer to cover yourselves if the customer backs out or whatever.

If anyone is willing to share their SLA, or just the contract wording, please email it to [email protected].

Thanks!
--Marty & June
JuneForever Custom Apparel and Gifts