A Graphic Designer usually reaches for a Retainer Agreement when for continuing work billed on a repeating monthly cycle. This free template does one job well: it sets recurring fees, an agreed scope and notice terms for ongoing monthly work. It is written for how graphic designers actually work — around a logo, brand identity or marketing collateral package, the familiar headache of clients using rejected draft concepts or expecting unlimited revisions, and getting paid on a deposit to start with the balance due before working files are released. Use a Retainer Agreement rather than something looser, because for a single fixed-scope project — use a service agreement instead. Edit any line to fit your rates and terms, then send it for e-signature in a couple of minutes — no account for your client, and it is legally binding under the ESIGN Act and eIDAS.
RETAINER AGREEMENT — GRAPHIC DESIGNER
1. PARTIES
This Retainer Agreement ("Agreement") is made on ____________ between ____________ ("Client") and ____________ (the "Provider"), a Graphic Designer. Together they are the "Parties".
2. MONTHLY SCOPE
Each month the Provider will deliver the following for the Graphic Designer engagement: ____________. Work beyond this monthly scope is agreed in writing and billed separately.
3. FEES & BILLING CYCLE
The monthly fee is $____________, billed on the ____________ of each month. Standard terms for a Graphic Designer are a deposit to start with the balance due before working files are released.
4. HOURS / DELIVERABLES
The retainer covers ____________ hours or the deliverables listed above each month. Typical support for a Graphic Designer includes final artwork in print-ready and web formats.
5. ROLLOVER & OVERAGE
Unused hours do not roll over unless agreed in writing. Work beyond the monthly block — for example additional logo directions or formats beyond the agreed set — is billed at $____________ per hour with prior approval.
6. TERM & NOTICE
This retainer runs month to month and renews automatically. Either Party may cancel with ____________ days' notice; the deposit covers work done and concepts already presented are not licensed.
7. IP & CONFIDENTIALITY
The Client owns the deliverables produced under this retainer once paid. Both Parties keep each other's information confidential, which for a Graphic Designer especially covers which rights transfer, whether working files are included, and reuse of unused concepts.
8. GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement is governed by the laws of ____________, and any dispute will be handled in the courts of ____________.
9. REVISION ROUNDS
The fee includes ____________ rounds of revisions on the agreed scope. Extra rounds are billed at $____________ each.
10. WORKING FILES
Final exported artwork is the deliverable. Editable working/source files are released only if agreed and are quoted separately.
11. UNUSED CONCEPTS
Only the selected, paid-for design is licensed to the Client. Rejected concepts remain the Provider's and may not be used, which prevents clients using rejected draft concepts or expecting unlimited revisions.
12. CREDIT
The Provider may credit itself as the designer where reasonable, and may show the work in a portfolio.
SIGNATURES
Signed by the Parties on the date first written above. Both Parties keep a copy. An electronic signature is legally binding under the ESIGN Act and eIDAS.
Client: ______________________ Date: __________
Provider: ____________________ Date: __________This Retainer Agreement ("Agreement") is made on ____________ between ____________ ("Client") and ____________ (the "Provider"), a Graphic Designer. Together they are the "Parties".
Each month the Provider will deliver the following for the Graphic Designer engagement: ____________. Work beyond this monthly scope is agreed in writing and billed separately.
The monthly fee is $____________, billed on the ____________ of each month. Standard terms for a Graphic Designer are a deposit to start with the balance due before working files are released.
The retainer covers ____________ hours or the deliverables listed above each month. Typical support for a Graphic Designer includes final artwork in print-ready and web formats.
Unused hours do not roll over unless agreed in writing. Work beyond the monthly block — for example additional logo directions or formats beyond the agreed set — is billed at $____________ per hour with prior approval.
This retainer runs month to month and renews automatically. Either Party may cancel with ____________ days' notice; the deposit covers work done and concepts already presented are not licensed.
The Client owns the deliverables produced under this retainer once paid. Both Parties keep each other's information confidential, which for a Graphic Designer especially covers which rights transfer, whether working files are included, and reuse of unused concepts.
This Agreement is governed by the laws of ____________, and any dispute will be handled in the courts of ____________.
The fee includes ____________ rounds of revisions on the agreed scope. Extra rounds are billed at $____________ each.
Final exported artwork is the deliverable. Editable working/source files are released only if agreed and are quoted separately.
Only the selected, paid-for design is licensed to the Client. Rejected concepts remain the Provider's and may not be used, which prevents clients using rejected draft concepts or expecting unlimited revisions.
The Provider may credit itself as the designer where reasonable, and may show the work in a portfolio.
Signed by the Parties on the date first written above. Both Parties keep a copy. An electronic signature is legally binding under the ESIGN Act and eIDAS.
Without one, additional logo directions or formats beyond the agreed set eats the month for free. Price any work beyond the agreed block.
Decide up front whether unused hours carry over — silence is where arguments start for graphic designers.
Set the notice to cancel so a client cannot drop a Graphic Designer mid-month, and confirm the deposit covers work done and concepts already presented are not licensed.
When the work repeats every month rather than being a logo, brand identity or marketing collateral package with a clear finish line.
On a monthly cycle, commonly a deposit to start with the balance due before working files are released. The template bills in advance so you are never working unpaid.
Yes. Once you and your client sign it — including with an electronic signature — this Retainer Agreement is a binding contract under the ESIGN Act, eIDAS and similar laws in most countries.
Point them back to the scope. Extra work such as additional logo directions or formats beyond the agreed set is quoted separately — that is exactly what the written terms are for.
Yes. Paste it into Signr, drop the signature fields on, and send a link. Your client signs from any device with no account, and you both get a sealed, court-ready copy.
Paste the template into Signr, drop signature fields on, and send. Your client signs from any device, no account needed, and you both get a sealed, court-ready copy.
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