Creating custom designs from scratch for a Zazzle customer

[ClementineC]

Hi everyone, a customer reached out to me via Zazzle chat interested in getting custom stationery designed for a pre-baby event. Things like welcome signs and thank you cards. She will get it printed on Zazzle. I'm not sure how to go about this. Should I send her an invoice to take payment, or instead increase the royalty percentage on these products so I can get a bigger cut? 

Have you ever done custom orders via Zazzle and what is your process like?

[NigelSutherland]

You could produce the design, but make each element editable, so it is in effect also a template for you to add to your store for future use. (Maybe change the wording details before re-publishing in the Zazzle marketplace.) Of course you could request an additional design fee via a PayPal request to the customer, but make it clear that you retain ownership of the design.

[MOM]

@ClementineCCongratulations!! Way to go - she must really like your designs. 🙂 @NigelSutherland  That's what I do too. I didn't charge an additional fee (not via PayPal nor via increased royalty percentage) - I was just happy to sell anything. I'm still fairly new, my store is now eight month all. But I can see that my way of managing such a case can not be beneficial for me in the long run due to the revisions needed (it's time consuming). But for right now I say "bring it on!", smile. Especially because I sold the generic/made up version already to three different people so the time wasn't really wasted at this point.

[LMGildersleeve]

Just a heads up @ClementineC  this person will want changes made. Some customers are easy to please and others are very, very needy. Definitely make your products as templates and definitely post them public for the marketplace. 

If by any chance the customer wants exclusive, than it's best to have a fee amount for down payment (via Paypal or something like it) and then another amount for after the work is done. Do not do it for free. Charge by the half hour work or by the amount of changes you have to make.

[MOM]

@LMGildersleeve @ClementineC  That’s excellent advice!! 👍🏽

[Jadendreamer13 · Accepted solution]

Freelance graphic artists make customers wanting custom work sign a contract that includes: 1) The scope of the work, 2) the estimated hours it will take the artist to complete the work, 3) the down payment fee required — typically 50% of the total fee, 4) delivery date of the completed work, 5) payment in full is required before the delivery date, 6) how many change requests will be allowed—three change requests are typical, 7) artist will retain copyright of the completed work, (8) include a “kill fee” clause—this is a fee that artists charge when a client asks for custom work and then abandons the project before completion (typically the artist gets to retain the 50% down payment). You may be able to find or pay for a similar contract on the internet. Definitely research this. And never work for free.

[MOM]

@Jadendreamer13  @ClementineC  This is all completely true although I (at this point) look at it a bit differently. On Zazzle I create countless designs for free (because they will never ever sell). So having to design something which will (or should at least) sell for sure puts me ahead of the curve (if I design it as a template for others to reuse). Which is what I did and for the time being will continue to do. It’s better than just creating stuff sitting on the shelf for years to come. I haven’t found my niche and style yet, I’m still in the trial phase to see what floats my boat and what doesn’t, lol.

[ClementineC]

@NigelSutherland @Jadendreamer13 @MOM @LMGildersleeve Thanks so much for your replies and insight! Much appreciated 🙂

[CreativeLeahG]

I have a guide and template contract and invoice for this here. You must protect yourself and get payment upfront.

[ClementineC]

Awesome! Thank you for the resource 🙂