GRAPHIC DESIGN RETAINER CONTRACT
A graphic design retainer contract between a provider and a client, ready to customize, send, and e-sign.
PREPARED FOR
Acme Co
PREPARED BY
Northwind Studio
DATE
August 18, 2026
GRAPHIC DESIGN RETAINER CONTRACT
A retainer agreement between Northwind Studio (the "Designer") and Acme Co (the "Client") for ongoing graphic design services on a monthly retainer basis.
PREPARED FOR
Acme Co
PREPARED BY
Northwind Studio
DATE
August 18, 2026
Northwind Studio
GRAPHIC DESIGN RETAINER CONTRACT
This Retainer Agreement (the "Agreement") is made between Acme Co (the "Client") and Northwind Studio (the "Designer"), dated as of August 18, 2026. This Agreement establishes an ongoing engagement under which the Designer will design graphic design services as described below.
The Client engages the Designer on a monthly retainer basis to design graphic design services. Design deliverables, revisions, and ongoing brand support. Work performed each month is drawn against the monthly retainer, with any hours in excess of the retainer billed at the rates set out below.
This Agreement commences on the effective date and continues for an initial term of six (6) months. Thereafter, the Agreement automatically renews for successive one (1) month periods until terminated by either party on thirty (30) days written notice.
The Client will pay the Designer the fees set out in the table below. The monthly retainer is invoiced on the first day of each month and payable within fifteen (15) days.
| Item | Rate | Qty | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly retainer | $2,500 | 6 | $15,000 |
| Additional deliverables | $400 | 3 | $1,200 |
| Rush turnaround fee | $500 | 1 | $500 |
| Total | $16,700 | ||
The Client will reimburse the Designer for pre-approved, non-cancellable expenses. Expenses must be pre-approved by the Client in writing and are invoiced monthly with supporting documentation.
All work product created for the Client during the term of this Agreement is assigned to the Client upon full payment. The Designer retains rights to any pre-existing intellectual property and any generic templates or methodologies developed in the course of the engagement.
The Designer will treat all Client information as confidential and use it only for purposes of performing services under this Agreement. Confidentiality obligations survive termination and continue for three (3) years thereafter.
This Agreement is non-exclusive. The Designer may perform services for other clients during the term of this Agreement, provided that such services do not conflict with the Client's interests or create a conflict of interest.
Either party may terminate this Agreement at any time on thirty (30) days written notice. Upon termination, the Client will pay for services rendered through the effective date of termination, and the Designer will deliver all work in progress and materials paid for.
The Designer's total liability under this Agreement is limited to the fees paid in the twelve (12) months preceding the event giving rise to the claim. Neither party is liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages.
This Agreement is governed by the laws of the state in which the Designer is based. This Agreement represents the parties' entire understanding and supersedes any prior verbal or written agreement. Any amendment must be in writing and signed by both parties.
Northwind Studio
GRAPHIC DESIGN RETAINER CONTRACT
THE PARTIES HERETO AGREE TO THE FOREGOING AS EVIDENCED BY THEIR SIGNATURES BELOW. This Agreement is valid for thirty (30) days from the date on the cover.
CLIENT
Acme Co
DESIGNER
Northwind Studio
The Graphic Design Retainer Contract is a document for putting an ongoing monthly retainer engagement on paper before work begins. It carries a cover page, a formal preamble naming both parties, ten numbered clauses covering the scope of the retainer, term and renewal, fees, expenses, IP, confidentiality, termination, and general provisions, and an acceptance page with authorization checkbox and dual e-signatures.
It preserves Bonsai's doc-builder components — a fee table with computed total inside the Payment clause, a signature block on the acceptance page, and merge fields that pull Sender, Receiver, and Date automatically. Rename the Designer label to match your business, edit the scope and fees, and send.
Everything below comes pre-configured. Turn sections on or off, edit the copy, or add your own — Bonsai remembers your choices for next time.
How does the monthly retainer work? Section 1 defines the scope and Section 3 the fees — the retainer is invoiced on the first of the month and drawn against monthly usage. Hours in excess of the retainer are billed at the rate in the fee table.
How is the Agreement terminated? Either party may terminate on thirty (30) days written notice under Section 8. The Client pays for work through the effective date and the Designer delivers work in progress.
Who owns the work product? Section 5 assigns work product to the Client on full payment. Pre-existing IP and generic methodologies remain with the Designer.