PSA: I used to send full-res files to clients like a naive fool until a graphic designer in Portland laughed at me over coffee

Back when I first started freelancing, I thought being helpful meant sending over the final AI file with no watermarks, no low-res previews, nothing. I figured hey, they paid me, so they deserve the real thing. Then a buddy who does logo work in Portland sat me down last spring and explained how his entire portfolio got swiped by a client who just cropped out his name and called it their own. That conversation hit me hard because I realized I had zero protection in place. Now I always send a watermarked low-res JPEG for approval and only release the high-res after the final invoice clears and we sign a short usage agreement. It's a pain sometimes but way better than getting stiffed or seeing your work up on some random site. Has anyone else had a client try to pull a fast one with your full-res files?

3 comments

3 Comments

morganl713d ago

Is it really that serious though? I mean yeah getting your work stolen sucks but honestly how often does that actually happen to where you need a whole legal process for every single client? Most people just want their logo and they're done with it. I've been sending full res files for like six years now and not one person has tried to pull anything shady. Maybe I've just been lucky but I feel like if you're doing good work for decent people they're not going to screw you over. The whole watermark and contract thing feels like overkill unless you're dealing with some real sketchy clients.

logan2713d ago

That coffee shop wisdom from your Portland buddy is gold because it saves you from learning that lesson the hard way. I do the same thing now, low res watermarked previews only until the check clears and the agreement is signed.

noraroberts3d ago

Wait hold on, the watermark thing is smart but low res previews can backfire too lol. Had a client try to say my low res previews were the final product because the wording was vague. Now I send a full res version with a big ugly watermark across the middle and a tiny one in the corner that says SAMPLE - NOT FINAL. That way they can actually see the quality but can't use it for anything serious. The check doesn't clear til I say it clears either, I learned that the hard way after someone "forgot" to pay me for three months. Protect yourself at every step is my motto now, not just at the preview stage.