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Buyer wants source/editable brand guide file


mvrphotodesign

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This is a first for me. I’m not sure if it’s a ‘normal’ thing for a buyer to ask for the editable source file of a brand guide. I explained it to her in the following manner:

‘I usually don’t deliver brand guides as an editable file. I set them up in InDesign. If you want an editable file, it will bring extra costs. The branding guidelines are meant as a base, set up by the designer. Only to be adjusted by the designer, no one else. It will be an Indesign Package file including a .indd .pdf and .idml file, so it requires the program Adobe Indesign. It’s not possible to convert it to any other editable file than the three mentioned.’

I’m wondering what your point of views are on this matter.

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I don’t see anything in your ‘brand identity’ gig about the delivery format or that the delivered file/files won’t be editable without specialist software - and because of that I think your buyer is not being unreasonable in their request.

I actually think that a version of the paragraph that you sent to your buyer should have been included in your gig description - maybe as part of the FAQ.

Your buyer is not a mind reader and arguably what you have subsequently told them might come as a surprise, and I think they would be justified to say to you “You never mentioned this in your gig description.”

@imagination7413 is right to say that sellers should stand their ground - but only when your buyer is fully aware of all the facts beforehand. I genuinely think there is some ambiguity in this case.

EDIT: Sorry, I don’t mean to moan on too much, but I don’t think it’s right to tell your buyer “it will bring extra costs” for an editable file - as you never mentioned the file wasn’t editable to start with. It’s a case of shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted.

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I offer the project file as an extra on Mixes but would never expect that I would automatically receive source files when getting work made for me (esp at stupid prices - which despite what some people seem to think, $20 is). I mostly offer options for project file as I am not an eternal archive of client work so if they feel they might want to store it, better they be responsible.

I used to work for a web design business and that meant logos too. We never delivered the Illustrator, Photoshop etc files. I don’t think anyone asked. If they did, I’m sure we would have squinted.

It is really up to a seller if they deliver the source files or not. I guess Fiverr have added this Work for Hire clause to a lot of things that does not necessarily mean that the buyer gets to own all the source material too as of automagical unfounded belief in their supremacy or some such.

Law dictates that the creator cannot impede the buyer’s usage of work designed for a purpose like a logo but it never says that the originator relinquishes the moral rights to be identified with it. Matter of fact it is clear that this right can never be broken. None of that covers source files.

If the buyer doesn’t stipulate that all materials get handed over at delivery, that is their silly. I bet if I helped build a bomb for the govt, they would stipulate right up front all the fun things I have to hand back 😦

🙂

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I think the easy way around this is to edit your Gig to state that editable files are available at an additional cost.

And make that cost something like $250 or more.

That way, you have offered the option (I’m talking about for any future jobs as you can’t really do this to this Buyer) and if someone REALLY wants the file at that point, you make some good coin for it.

I’m thinking of this as a way to protect your work, but also to get the point across that there is a great deal more value to the files than the finished product you delivered.

I hope that makes sense.

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I get what you’re all saying, although I don’t agree with all of it. I hadn’t really thought about it this way before.

From a designer/seller standpoint I’m saying: hands off the brand book! And I was thinking that this was basically a given. Especially because source files are only possible as an extra for certain services, not for brand guides:

favicon-32x32.png.a5a4459ee7e3c2824dea7ce0180bc48a.png Fiverr.com
fiverr-og-logo-c245a93f73934a327f20392445b55b43.thumb.png.ba40fc6cb5c2fd2e20f338644aea3ae9.png

Fiverr Help and Education Center

One marketplace, millions of professional services. Browse. Buy. Done.

‘The source file extra is available in specific categories only.’

But from a buyers standpoint they’re possibly assuming everything they ask/pay for will belong to them unless clearly stated otherwise. I haven’t really had a case like this before, which is why I haven’t stated it in my gig yet. But I’ll definitely follow your suggestion @looseink. Sounds like the best way to go.

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I get what you’re all saying, although I don’t agree with all of it. I hadn’t really thought about it this way before.

From a designer/seller standpoint I’m saying: hands off the brand book! And I was thinking that this was basically a given. Especially because source files are only possible as an extra for certain services, not for brand guides:

b0a72261e3b38eee2800a70930b2964a5782cba7.pngFiverr.com
aa2b5cb413b607e697f42a018dc3d99e3560b5a1_2_690x362.png

Fiverr Help and Education Center

One marketplace, millions of professional services. Browse. Buy. Done.

‘The source file extra is available in specific categories only.’

But from a buyers standpoint they’re possibly assuming everything they ask/pay for will belong to them unless clearly stated otherwise. I haven’t really had a case like this before, which is why I haven’t stated it in my gig yet. But I’ll definitely follow your suggestion @looseink. Sounds like the best way to go.

Could you not add a custom extra? Within the edit page - pricing, the table has the option to ‘Add Gig Extra’ where you could add your own title/description price etc.

You could argue the customer should have asked for a specific format prior to ordering if they required it, as it is not stated in your gig description.

You could also argue they’ve purchased the guidelines and so if they want to change it i guess that’s up to them?

I work in the print studio myself and I find with our customers don’t tend to know the difference between vectors/rasters or what file formats mean what etc etc.

We are also asked to whip up quick designs following guidelines to create printable artwork. Brand guidelines are helpful as they fill in the blanks the customer doesn’t quite know and having them editable just helps speed up the process. Including the logo as a vector and any font files required is just amazing for us!

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Could you not add a custom extra? Within the edit page - pricing, the table has the option to ‘Add Gig Extra’ where you could add your own title/description price etc.

You could argue the customer should have asked for a specific format prior to ordering if they required it, as it is not stated in your gig description.

You could also argue they’ve purchased the guidelines and so if they want to change it i guess that’s up to them?

I work in the print studio myself and I find with our customers don’t tend to know the difference between vectors/rasters or what file formats mean what etc etc.

We are also asked to whip up quick designs following guidelines to create printable artwork. Brand guidelines are helpful as they fill in the blanks the customer doesn’t quite know and having them editable just helps speed up the process. Including the logo as a vector and any font files required is just amazing for us!

Oh you can add custom extras? Didn’t even know. Learning something new everyday.

I do always hand over the vector files, font files etc. including instructions, because it’s necessary for their future designs. That’s a different story to me.

But it seems strange for them to be able to edit the brand book/guidelines, since it’s not something they’re specialized in. I guess you’re right, it’s up to them if they purchase it. Just doesn’t seem like the best idea to me, haha.

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Oh you can add custom extras? Didn’t even know. Learning something new everyday.

I do always hand over the vector files, font files etc. including instructions, because it’s necessary for their future designs. That’s a different story to me.

But it seems strange for them to be able to edit the brand book/guidelines, since it’s not something they’re specialized in. I guess you’re right, it’s up to them if they purchase it. Just doesn’t seem like the best idea to me, haha.

Yeah it never really is the best when they start to fiddle with the designs themself, never ends well!

I’d do what you’re doing, the package sounds good to me personally. If i had to design something using what you mentioned we’d do just fine.

I would just add a custom extra for the editable files if they really want them

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I see your real point now, You provide a whole Brand Guide and Tool Kit. This is great practice and more should be doing this (instead of scraping clip art off the internet and sending it as Branding).

Your issue here is that someone is asking you to give them the working files for your Brand Guide which is not the Logo or Branding but your in-house branding document. this allows Them to set themselves up as though they were you using your I.P…

I would have two short words for that starting with, and ending with, Today’s Letter “F”.

🙂

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