A Creative Retainer Plan is perfect for any business looking for easy, ongoing design support as it is needed - without any extra hassle.
​The retainer options I offer are structured for small business owners that are looking to work with a designer on a consistent, medium- to long-term basis. For example, maybe you’re a business owner with regular sales and community events. A Creative Retainer with my studio would give you quick access to my skills and expertise for fresh graphics, event branding, and promotional materials whenever needed—without needing a new project contract each time.
This is great for those who need consistent deliverables, such as ongoing design projects, monthly marketing materials, or regular updates to signage, specials, and menus. It ensures you receive a set amount of creative work each month, keeping your business visually fresh for customers to keep coming back to. It's sort of like having a creative department in your back pocket.
What is a creative retainer and how could your business benefit?
A creative retainer is an ongoing contractual agreement, where you pay a set fee for a predetermined amount of creative work or access to creative services over a specific period of time.
In this arrangement, your business has guaranteed access to my studio’s services, such as graphic design, marketing collateral creation, or print and production coordination within an agreed upon scope and timeframe. Unlike a one-time project, a creative retainer is ongoing and allows for continuous support and collaboration.
What kind of retainer is offered?
Pay For Work Retainer
This option involves paying for a set amount of work or deliverables each month. Think of it like paying an advance on a predetermined scope of services or hours of work. We will work together to create design projects, revisions, and other creative work within a specified timeframes (for example, 10 hours of work per month)
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This retainer suits clients who need different amounts of design work month to month, occasional small tasks, or simply want the peace of mind that the studio is available when something pops up.
How a retainer plan can benefit your small business
Ongoing access to expertise. Gain access to my studio’s expertise whenever needed, allowing for quick responses to design needs without having to initiate new projects.​
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Cost efficiency. Retainers are a predictable, discounted rate compared to per-project pricing, allowing clients to manage their budgets while still getting high-quality design work.
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Strong partnership. A retainer fosters a deeper, ongoing relationship between the client and creative. This results in better communication, understanding the brand’s nuances, and a more proactive approach to creative solutions.
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Attention to detail. Consistently work with the same designer allows a client to prioritize their design needs, while also ultimately touching on all of the areas of their business that requires a designer’s touch.
Creative Retainer Investment
Retainers are great for clients who need a fixed, monthly fee for access to an expert designer without having to scope out new projects each time.​ We keep you updated on the status of your retainer hours, but ultimately it’s your responsibility to make sure they’re used within the monthly time frame. Unused hours at the end of the monthly contract are forfeited, however, if you have a 10 hour retainer, but you need 15 hours worth of work in a given month, we bill you the additional 5 hours at the same discounted hourly rate as the retainer.
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What type of design work falls into the Graphic Designer Retainer program?
+ Marketing collateral such as flyers, handouts, and business cards
+ Digital and social media graphics
+ Printed signage and environmental design
What are the details of the Creative Retainer program?
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The retainer program is only for clients who already have their basic brand guidelines and logo complete, new logo designs do not fall under this program.
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A minimum 3-month commitment is required.
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A set number of hours is allocated each month for your projects based on your specific business needs.
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Payment will be due on the first of each month, for the month ahead.
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Unused retainer hours will expire at the end of each month, they do not roll over.