This section of the forum is for discussing the business and finance issues of the t-shirt industry. Which business structure to use (sole proprietor, LLC, S Corp, etc), how to handle billing, where to register your business and get the proper licensing, etc.
I have recently been doing artwork and printing for elementary schools. Going really well until this little snag. A PTA member(treasurer) hit me up about remaking their mascot and needing it in 4 days fpr the meeting. I told him I would do my best. He sent me cartoon drawing of the ideas that they wanted to work into their mascot. After spending days to try to work this one out I had a friend draw 3 different ideas for them to present. I told him I needed them back but this would help them on thier idea of what they wanted. I waited 2 weeks then contacted hiom. It took him 10 days to contact me back and told me thhat he was going to got to another firm to have it more revamped and good luck with my business.. He still has my artwork that I told him I needed back and I also stated to him it cost me $70 to get. I'm going to send him a bill for the drawings and for artwork fee's. if not going to pay me I think I will go to the next PTA meeting and see about payment.. Is this a good idea?
I need a contract to cover this from happening again. Something where the Money down can go towards the printing and all but is non-refundable.. This is the only problem that I have had to deal with and I have 7 schools that I print for at the moment.. Business has been great and word of mouth is bring in more...
Did you tell him he would have to pay for the art work. If you didn't there is not much you can do. What I do is tell them in writting that art charge will be charged if I don't do the order.
I break the cost into 2 parts..one bill for the artwork with that amount deducted from the final... Or you could tell them they need to pay and then watermark the image in a vector program so they are not tempted to send to another designer...or how about putting a copyright logo on the art as a signal to the next guy..
On most orders, I require a 50% NON-REFUNDABLE deposit. However, if someone is asking for artwork, or digitizing and it's on spec (not part of an order), then I require payment up front.
I realize that there are those cusomters who don't want to pay for artwork up front because they want to see what it will look like first. And guess what? Those are the folks who will do exactly what this customer did to you.
This is where positioning yourself as a professional becomes important. This is where exhibiting that you value your time and skill becomes important.
You may have to write this one off as "education". It sucks, but it's happened to all of us, so don't feel like the lone ranger.
Use this experience to make your policy now, and use it going forward. Art work is charged at $x per 1/2 hour with a 1 hour minimum. Logo creation is $xxx, for which you will receive 3 versions to choose from. Changes to logos will be charged at $X per 1/2 hour.
I agree with DeChez. Chalk this one up to a learning experience. PTA members move on with their kids, and the next person in charge might feel bad about what happened. If word of month is working, then don't mess that up for $75. But definatly, make a new client packet as a PDF file that includes all your fine print. Send it with any quote.
Contract for schools or PTA or agreements 
Re: Contract for schools or PTA or agreements 
