I'm between Client & Printers how can I avoid blame/comebacks?

[FlackUK]

Hi all,

I'm a freelance web designer with a client who is wanting some signs to be made.
Now as I cannot do them myself, I've found a sign printer who can do the work for me.
So, I've got the prices from the sign printer, and the Client seems happy with the prices so far.

But, when I come to officially putting the quotation together informing the client of all the details and everything they can expect from the order. How can I write into the T&C's that once they have agreed and signed off artwork proof drawings that the blame is that of their own and not my businesses?

I've not done this style of 'middle man' work before, and support or guidance would be very much appreciated!

Look forward to some help with this!
Thanks, Charlie

 

[Deleted member 59730]

Can you not copy and paste the sign printers T&Cs?

I would also ask the sign printer to pre-flight your PDF.

 

[fisicx]

Who is the client paying? If it's you then their contact is with you not the printer. If it all goes pete tong they will be contacting you to get it fixed.

 

[FlackUK]

Hi Fisicx,

I will pay the Printer
The Client will pay me.

Can I not put a disclaimer saying, if the artwork proof has been confirmed and accepted by the Client then its the Client who has done it wrong?

If there is any damage with the product etc. Then I agree this will come back to me to sort with the sign Printer.

But, I'm mainly on about the type of product confirmed and the print which will be on the sign.

Thanks for replying.
Charlie

 

[DavidWH]

Don't forget to mention BS559, especially if the client is installing these signs themselves and outside near the public. (http://www.bsga.co.uk/tag/bs559/)

I would just get a signed final proof, with a paragraph explaining once the proof is approved, any alteration are chargeable. May be worth mentioning about colour variations too ;-)

 

[The Byre]

I'm in this situation all the time, as what we produce places us in a hub of all sorts of companies, free-lance people and anything and everything in between.

The answer is two-fold -

1. The contractor (that's us!) has to understand the subject matter to ninja level. In your case, that means that CMYKK (i.e. doubled keying) is no mystery to you, that you can separate spot colours from a single design and understand everything there is to know about off-set printing, colour variations, cut, bleed, etc., etc., etc.

2. The customer signs off everything and is notified in writing of all problems and possible issues. Also they are made aware in writing of problems and their associated costs that they create by changing things during the commissioning process.

 

[FlackUK]

Can you not copy and paste the sign printers T&Cs?

I would also ask the sign printer to pre-flight your PDF.

Hi Atmosbob,

I can ask for a copy of the sign printers T&C's.
What do you mean by pre-flight the PDF?

Thanks, Charlie

Don't forget to mention BS559, especially if the client is installing these signs themselves and outside near the public. (http://www.bsga.co.uk/tag/bs559/)

I would just get a signed final proof, with a paragraph explaining once the proof is approved, any alteration are chargeable. May be worth mentioning about colour variations too ;-)

Hi DavidWH,
It is an internal sign for the Production Line of the business which they are fitting.

Thanks, Charlie

 

[Deleted member 59730]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pre-flight_(printing)

 

[Emma Fryer]

I'd be up front and tell them you cant do it but have sourced someone..... Are they happy etc....