getting payment

<b> · 12-10-2012, 06:04 AM

I'll "accept payment" most anytime.

For freelance I usually do whatever billing I have at the end of the month (mostly because I hate doing it, I procrastinate with it and have built a routine around that fact). The exception being if it's a one-time thing for a new or infrequent client, then I'll try to send the bill off as soon as I'm done. If the job calls for me to supervise the printing, that will occur as soon as I hand off the files. If the job calls for me to supervise the printing, my job isn't done until they get the finished product, so I hold off.

PrintDriver · 12-10-2012, 11:24 AM

But if the job calls for handing off the files to a printer over which you have no control, payment is due once live files are released. If the printer has issues with your files, it's still up to you to 'fix' it (within reason, if the client didn't allow you contact with the printer for file prep and job options downloads, it's the client's problem) but once deliverables have been produced, you're done.

<b> · 12-10-2012, 02:26 PM

Originally posted by <b> View Post

...I'll try to send the bill off as soon as I'm done. If the job calls for me to supervise the printing, that will occur as soon as I hand off the files.

Correction: "...I'll try to send the bill off as soon as I'm done. If the job doesn't call for me to supervise the printing, that will occur as soon as I hand off the files."

infinity · 12-10-2012, 06:14 PM

So, unless we are involved in the printing process (setting up files, working with the printer etc) then payment is due immediately after the designs are done and handed to the client (unless there is a times frame to which the payment can be made)

and if we are involved in the printing processes (i usually tell clients in this case that all they have to do is show up and pay the printer) then payment isnt due until after the files are printed and handed to the client (considering it is still our responsibility)

this is kind of how i had it thought out (for lack of a better term) in the first place. but considering i have this thing for doing everything the hard way i figured i would run it across the more experienced ones

Cosmo · 12-10-2012, 06:50 PM

Originally posted by infinity View Post

So, unless we are involved in the printing process (setting up files, working with the printer etc) then payment is due immediately after the designs are done and handed to the client (unless there is a times frame to which the payment can be made)

and if we are involved in the printing processes (i usually tell clients in this case that all they have to do is show up and pay the printer) then payment isnt due until after the files are printed and handed to the client (considering it is still our responsibility)

this is kind of how i had it thought out (for lack of a better term) in the first place. but considering i have this thing for doing everything the hard way i figured i would run it across the more experienced ones

If I'm involved in the printing process, the client has no contact with the printer. Not out of secrecy, but out of convenience. If they want to know who is printing it I'll certainly let them know. But if I get the printing done, the client pays only one bill for the design work and printing, and they pay that to me. So I guess I'm sort of a print broker as well.

**Buda** · 12-10-2012, 06:52 PM

I accept payment at any time. Deposit before the job starts for new clients and the final bill is sent when I send the print ready file. I know some people prefer to send the final bill before they send the print ready file, but I guess I'm pretty trusting.

I prefer to hand the whole job over to the client's preferred printer rather than be a broker. That way I'm never out of pocket. But perhaps one day I'll take on more of a broker role. More risk though.

At the printing company I work for, if you have an account with us, you are billed at the end of each month (unless you have no pending work). Otherwise all printing is paid for on pick up. No deposits required. Printers here don't seem to ask for deposits on jobs so to be the first printer around to do so seems bad form.

infinity · 12-10-2012, 07:59 PM

well i will agree to work with the printer for the client that way like i said before all they have to do is show up when the prints are ready and pay for them. i give them an invoice for my part (the designing and if applicable pre-press) and then they get a bill from the printer too for their part. I read awhile back where it said that by doing so it keeps us clear from taxing stuff?

i cant print myself (unless its extremely small simple jobs) and i dont work for a printer, so the client can either go through a printer i use, or choose to go through one of their own.

<b> · 12-10-2012, 08:20 PM

Originally posted by Buda View Post

I prefer to hand the whole job over to the client's preferred printer rather than be a broker. That way I'm never out of pocket.

I won't take on the responsibility of paying the printer myself, then billing the client. I don't want to take any chances of getting stuck with a $$$$ printing bill.

What I always suggest to clients is for me to line up and coordinate the printing, but have the printing invoice go directly to the client for payment. What I really hate doing is turning over files to clients, then expecting them to find a printer.

Clients often suggest handling the printing themselves as a way of saving money, but I've just had too many instances of clients messing up that step. I once had a freelance client instruct a small neighborhood printer to print an entire 2-color brochure using thermography, and the printer actually did it. An illegible mess would be an understatement.

Cosmo · 12-10-2012, 08:36 PM

Originally posted by <b> View Post

I won't take on the responsibility of paying the printer myself, then billing the client. I don't want to take any chances of getting stuck with a $$$$ printing bill.

What I always suggest to clients is for me to line up and coordinate the printing, but have the printing invoice go directly to the client for payment. What I really hate doing is turning over files to clients, then expecting them to find a printer.

Clients often suggest handling the printing themselves as a way of saving money, but I've just had too many instances of clients messing up that step. I once had a freelance client instruct a small neighborhood printer to print an entire 2-color brochure using thermography, and the printer actually did it. An illegible mess would be an understatement.

Yeah. I went back and forth about that for a while. But for the last 10 years, I have not yet been burned on a printing charge. Of course, I get a discount at the printers, and with the deposit I get, if I do get burned, it's not a big loss.

getting payment

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