I am just wondering why so many people say they do not have the digitized design format for their designs. When I outsource digitizing or do it myself, if the customer paid for the service, I give it to them. I was wanting to know why or if others do the same. Many times they want their logo embroidered on shirt, like what they have, but the embroiderer in past didn't or won't give to them. Am I the only one that thinks when they pay for it, they should get it, even if later they take it to another embroiderer. I have run across this many times, I do wish they already had the digitizing done. Thanks for your thoughts...Greg
It's because if I need to get more embroidery done, I am going to go back to the same guy that did it the first time. If he gives me the file, I might lose it.
But, I have asked for files before, once a year after it was created, and it was provided.
From the embroiderers standpoint, it creates a captured customer. One way or another, he will have another contact with the customer to try to get them to give him more business.
I tell the customer up front the digitized design belongs to them. I explain I keep them on file for future needs.if they ask for the file,I give to them. I'm in the opinion if they are charged for the design, that it belongs to them. ... JB
That same question applies to all printing/decorating forms. Printers also are against "giving the artwork" to the customer even though they "paid for it". A lot of times quotes will even have that disclaimer and that the artwork fee is merely a bare cost that does not totally cover all aspects of the production of that artwork. It is a touchy subject.
Depending on the design, I may want to offer it to other people if they have no objection. If I pay for the design to be digitized, I keep it. If the customer specifically pays for it, I give it to them on a CD. Otherwise, it's open to negotiation...
I think its okay to release digitized designs when requested because if you do good work at a fair price it generally won't happen. There are times when this happens for a good reason such as a customer who moves a distance or a job that must be run in quantities that can no longer be handled by the former shop. I wouldn't advertize this because there are price shoppers who if given their file would price shop a job every time and this can contribute to the lowering of prices (decorator's profit). On the flip side I don't necessarily like receiving digitized files from other sources because often the digitizing isn't up to my standards so the file needs editing. I think if you do release designs it should be with the understanding that you'll only do it once and it will be their responsibility to get the file to their new decorator.
Also, some embroiders don't like to give away their digitized designs because they believe they are giving away their quality and without that file the new embroider won't look as good.
here is my take. If you don't charge for the digitizing, I would consider it yours and only give to the customer for a fee. If you have charged the customer for the service, then they should own it. Charge enough to make it worth it to you. Otherwise, tell the customer that digitizing the design is a file you set up as a tool to produce the end product they want. But, if you would like a copy of that file, it will cost you $xx.
Otherwise, tell the customer that digitizing the design is a file you set up as a tool to produce the end product they want. But, if you would like a copy of that file, it will cost you $xx.
That is a very good way to state it. Thanks for posting this.
If you charge to do it, it's for your shop use, if they want it for their own purposes they should pay again to own it. If you let it go out the door then they can take your work to anyone and then someone else can undercut your bids because they don't have to do the digitizing. How would you like to see someone wearing a shirt you worked on but lost the bid because your competitor saved the client money because they had the artwork you created?
Last edited by ratdaddy; November 2nd, 2009 at 03:51 PM.
Reason: more on the thought.
If you charge to do it, it's for your shop use, if they want it for their own purposes they should pay again to own it. If you let it go out the door then they can take your work to anyone and then someone else can undercut your bids because they don't have to do the digitizing. How would you like to see someone wearing a shirt you worked on but lost the bid because your competitor saved the client money because they had the artwork you created?
Agreed, in a lot of ways digitizing is no different than a screen printer burning a screen for a print job, customers could ask for the screens when the job is done since they paid a setup fee....that would never happen but I'd bet some customers have asked.
There's a lot of good points here. Bottom line is, if you if you charge something to a customer, and it's on the invoice as such, you basically have to deliver. If you wish to retain the customer and not owe them "a file", don't charge them for "a file". If I need to eat part of the cost to get my foot in the door, I will clearly state on the invoice that I'm doing this and that if a copy of the file is to be surrendered, I will bill the customer accordingly when that happens.
Ian
__________________ imprimeo! ....Digitizing, DTG and Embroidery..FREE Embroidery SOFTWARE Sierra Consultant, Stitch ERA Universal Dealer, Digitizing trainer for GUNOLD USA
Last edited by zoom_monster; November 2nd, 2009 at 09:05 PM.
I just build the digitizing cost into the total order cost. The customer is paying for the digitizing but they just don't know it. Then if they come back later looking for the design so they can get one of my competitors to do a job then I can just say that I didn't charge them a digitizing fee so the digitized design of their logo is mine.
If I have charged the customer for digitizing, AND they ask for the file, I will give it to them.
This is a service they have paid for, so in my mind, it belongs to them. Most don't ask for it though, because they have no use for it.
Even if the customer wants the file later down the road to take it to another embroiderer, I feel that not giving them the file burns a bridge, whereas giving it to them fosters good will. It's really a customer service issue.
Do you give the digitized design to customer 
Re: Do you give the digitized design to customer 
