TERMS AND CONDTIONS

CLIENT AGREEMENT/ACKNOWLEDGMENT BOOK COVER/GRAPHIC DESIGN:

Please read these terms and conditions before agreeing to work with Melissa Doughty - Mel D. Designs - Melissa M. Doughty  LLC, from this point further referred to as designer.  Payment of the deposit is considered agreement to these terms.  All graphic designs will be created collaboratively and all stated terms apply to all graphics designed. 

DESIGNER RESPONSIBILITIES

1.  Designer will provide a one-of-a-kind book cover based on KDP measurements unless otherwise requested in writing by the client.  A fee will incur if additional printing companies are requested. The designer will work collaboratively with the client to create the book cover design.
2.  All Custom Packages include unlimited reviews, but not unlimited original designs.
3.  All Premade Packages include four (4) review rounds for font/word changes ONLY.  There will be a $20 USD charge to the client for each review round after the allotted four.  If the client wants more than font changes on a premade cover, that cover then becomes a custom cover and fees and custom cover stipulations will then apply.

4. Other Marketing Graphics will also be completed collaboratively and have two (2) revision rounds.  If more are required a $20 USD fee will be applied to each round after.

CLIENT RESPONSIBILITIES

1. The client is responsible for validating proper rights,  permissions, license, or other pertinent publishing information when images are provided to the designer.

2. Client is fully responsible for proofing the design provided by the designer.  Because of this client responsibility the designer will NOT be held financially or legally responsible for any problems or costs when using the design provided.
3. The client is responsible for providing the book size, final page count, print form, page type, and blurb to the designer.  The client must also provide proper measurements or sizing requirements for each additional item in the package if the item is to be used outside of KDP requirements.  

4. The client has the right to review the cover design during all design stages,  have final approval of the cover content, and offer any suggestions, concerns, or alterations.

CONFIDENTIALITY

1.  All client and designer’s personal information is considered confidential.

2.  The designer and or client may mention working with one another by name in social media unless otherwise requested.  Requests must be in writing. 

3. The designer may share created information and or graphics the client has released to the public.

OWNERSHIP

1. The designer grants the client exclusive reproduction license to use the final cover design and artwork (PDF, JPEG, PNG or any other publishing format ONLY) for the book cover and associated promotional or graphic design materials. The designer does not provide any source files or the original PSD files (native files). If native files are needed they are assessed on a case by case basis and will include additional fees.
2. The designer agrees that they are the sole creator/designer of the book cover and has obtained the proper license/rights to use all images in the book cover.
3. The client understands that they will make NO alterations to the book cover once the final draft is paid for and submitted to the client.  If the client wishes to have alterations made to the cover the client must contact the designer to have those changes made. There may be additional costs necessary to complete any alterations.
4.  The cost of cover design includes the standard license for the images and is limited to a print run of 500,000 units.   The client will need to pay the designer (invoiced by the designer to the client) the current published price of an Extended License if the book exceeds 500,000.

5. The designer holds ownership of all design draft materials, even if the client pays time invested/deposit.

6.  If the client wishes to work with another designer to complete a book series.  Written permission must be obtained from the designer.  If the client would like to use design elements already created fees may incur for releasing design elements to the client.

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ATTRIBUTION/ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

1. The client agrees to include the following on the copyright page of the eBook and or the paperback/hardcover:  Cover Design by Melissa Doughty - Mel D. Designs

2.  The client agrees to give designer attribution in publicly released graphics.

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PAYMENT

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1. For custom covers: Payment will be made via Square invoice sent by the designer to the client with a provided email address.  A 50% NON-REFUNDABLE deposit must be paid prior to work being started on the cover design or graphic design.   This deposit is considered part of the total payment due.  The deposit is considered non-refundable in case the client cancels or forgets about booking the designer. For other graphics non-refundable will be a case by case basis and agreed upon between client and designer.  The final payment will be due prior to the delivery of the book cover and or graphic files.  

2. For premade covers:  Payment will be paid in full up front.  An invoice will be sent by the designer to the client with a provided email address.  At time of payment a date will be in writing for when the designer must provide final cover to the client.

3. Images or fonts listed as premium or those that need to be specifically purchased from sites or artists might incur additional fees, which vary depending on the resource. The cost of any extras will be communicated in writing prior to use on cover and will be the client’s responsibility to pay the designer to obtain the proper license to use.  Proper communication will be made between client and designer about images and fonts used.  The designer will not use premium items without prior written consent from the client.

4. The client agrees to pay the remaining balance of the invoice upon completion and approval of the design which may include extra costs incurred during the making of the cover.  If the client chooses to terminate (please see cancellation below) the booking before completion, the design files in their current state will not be released to the client and will stay with the designer.
5. No refunds will be provided once all cover designs are released to the client after final payment.

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PROJECT COMPLETION

1. The designer will provide the final files of the book cover no later than the agreed date.  Unless at no fault of the designer there is an unforeseeable event.  These events include, but are not limited to, disease, loss of a close family member, natural disasters etc.  The designer will communicate in writing to the client if an unforeseeable event occurs.
2. If the designer fails to provide the book cover within two weeks after the agreed deadline the client may terminate the project via writing and receive a full refund.  The designer is not held responsible financially or otherwise after termination and refund has been issued.

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PUBLIC REVEAL OF COVERS, GRAPHICS AND DRAFTS

1. The designer is allowed to display the client’s final cover in their portfolio and on internet sites.  The designer will wait until after the client has first revealed material.  The client has six months to reveal the cover and or graphics  to the public.  At that time if the client has yet to share the designs the designer has the right to add cover or graphics to their portfolio and or publish on social media sites.
2. The designer may use any discarded or rough draft designs with proper alterations in other cover designs or graphics.

CANCELLATION POLICY

1. Custom Covers/Graphics:  The client or designer may cancel BEFORE or AFTER  the design process begins, and must communicate in writing.  All payments except the non-refundable portion of the deposit explained above shall be refunded to the same form of payment within seven (7) business days.  However, if the final payment has been made and products have been delivered to the client there are no refunds and does not fall under this cancellation policy.
2. Premade Covers:  No Cancellations - All purchases are paid in full upfront and are non-refundable.