Questions to Ask Before Signing a Design Contract With Any Studio

Before signing with any design studio, five key questions should be asked: what exactly is included in the scope of work, how many revision rounds are allowed, who owns the rights to the final files, what the actual timeline is, and whether there are any additional fees not mentioned in the initial proposal.

Many disputes between clients and studios stem from unwritten assumptions — the client assumes unlimited revisions, while the studio assumes the fourth revision warrants an extra fee. Asking these questions clearly upfront avoids surprises later.

Scope of Work

Confirm exactly which services are included (logo, color guide, social media templates) and which are not.

Revision Rounds

Some studios cap free revisions (two rounds, for example), with any additional revision billed separately.

File Ownership

Confirm that editable source files (such as AI or PSD) will be delivered, not just final images in PNG or JPG format.

Timeline

Request a written schedule for each stage, not just a verbal estimate.

Additional Fees

Ask directly: are there any potential costs not mentioned in the proposal (printing, domain registration, paid fonts)?

FAQ

Is it normal to pay a deposit before the project starts? Yes, most professional studios require an upfront deposit (typically 50%) before starting, and this is standard practice protected by the contract.

What if a studio refuses to put the scope of work in writing? That's a strong warning sign, and it's best to look for a more transparent studio.