Native (Working) Files and why Designers never give them out for free.
It’s happened more times than I can count. I finished a project, handed off the hi-resolution artwork, and before receiving the final payment, I got the doomed question... “Can I have the working files?”.
Luckily, this doesn’t happen much anymore because I’ve been so intentional about avoiding it. But, because I do get asked this from time to time, let me paint a picture. When you have a contractor renovate your kitchen, once the project is finished do you ask him to leave all of his tools behind for you to keep? Or, let’s say you buy a beautiful ceramic mug from a local shop. Once you purchase the mug, do you then ask the shop owner for the mold, so you too can produce these mugs in the future?
For years, I’ve tried to find the perfect analogy. Ordering a gourmet meal and asking the chef for the recipe, hiring a photographer to take photos of your wedding, and then asking for their photo-editing software... No matter how I explain it, folks still seemed to be disgruntled if that’s what they were expecting.
What may not be obvious to someone outside the industry, but what is extremely obvious to any artist, is that when a client asks for the native files, they’re essentially asking for all of the tools necessary to edit, manipulate, modify, or reproduce the designer’s artwork in perpetuity without paying the designer for it. Or, as my designer friends like to call it, they’re “cutting you out of the design loop” usually in an attempt to save money.
Now, what if a client wants to do all that and pay for the native files? No problem. But these files/tools are sold at the industry standard of 300% of the cost of the Final Artwork. So, you hire a designer to create an editorial piece for $2500? Expect to pay around $7500 for the native files. Typically, after sharing the standard pricing for native files, clients realize that cutting the designer out of the design loop isn’t the most cost-effective solution. 99% of the time, it’s much more beneficial to have the original designer make changes for a nominal rate than to buy out the files.
Additionally, every designer leaves a certain style on his/her designs. When the client alters the design themselves or even has another designer edit the files, there are two possibilities:
The client might take credit for the altered work and that is more future jobs lost for the designer.
The client might alter the design in the wrong way, give the designer credit for the design, and when other designers or potential clients look at your (modified) work, it might be unattractive and unprofessional, putting the Designer’s reputation is at risk. This also means the Designer could lose future jobs.
Now, discussing a project and the client’s needs upfront may result in a different set of rules. For example, for many of my clients, I create social media templates in Canva. This template is branded and can be updated with different content, all while sticking to the overall visual identity of their brand/feed. The client is paying to use it over and over again on Instagram. This service is billed accordingly.
Additionally, I’ve had clients state from the onset that they will need an Adobe (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator) template, and we discuss pricing based on that specific need.
These two situations are different from agreeing to receive Final Artwork and then expecting native files at the end of a project. The worst is when a client withholds payment based on this false expectation.
For this reason, all of Colorway’s contracts explicitly state that native/working files are not the Final Work Product/Final Artwork. Additionally, with every project Colorway also includes a detailed Scope of Work. This lists every single item you’ll receive as a result of our working together. This list is (sometimes painfully) detailed and specific so that we’re always on the same page. Since implementing this process, I’ve had no complaints!
Still, every once in a while you have an issue usually resulting from a busy client signing the SOW and Contract without reading it. Don’t do this y’all! :)
To my clients, I hope this helped clarify a touchy topic in the industry of design.
For fellow designers, I hope this inspires you to stand firm with the industry’s standard practice and protect your native files unless the price is right. And for young designers just starting out in the freelance world, be very careful which businesses or staffing agencies you work with. Many creative staffing agencies make you sign a general contract before being placed in a position. These contracts always state that your native files do not belong to you. These staffing agencies also have a habit of underpaying designers in order to get a large cut from your placement. It’s your choice whether you wish to work under these contracts, but always be on alert.
Happy designing!