Design Service Terms & Conditions

Chelcea Cupples Creative

These Design Service Terms & Conditions (“Terms”) govern all design services provided by Chelcea Cupples Creative (“Designer”). By booking, purchasing, or otherwise engaging design services from Chelcea Cupples Creative, including accepting or paying any estimate, proposal, or invoice, the client (“Client”) acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms.


1. Scope of Services

Chelcea Cupples Creative provides graphic design and creative services which may include, but are not limited to:

  • brand identity design

  • logo design

  • website design

  • social media graphics

  • marketing materials

  • print design (flyers, brochures, signage, etc.)

  • packaging design

  • digital graphics and illustrations

The specific services, deliverables, pricing, revision limits, and project timeline will be outlined in the estimate, proposal, or invoice provided to the Client.

Any services, deliverables, revisions, or requests not specifically listed in the accepted proposal are considered outside the scope of the project and may require additional fees, timeline adjustments, or a revised estimate.

Examples of scope changes may include, but are not limited to:

  • additional deliverables not included in the original agreement

  • additional pages, graphics, or formats

  • major design direction changes after concept approval

  • requests for new concepts beyond included revisions

Chelcea Cupples Creative reserves the right to evaluate scope changes and issue a revised estimate before continuing work.

2. Payment Terms & Refund Policy

Payment terms will be specified in the project estimate or invoice.

Projects may require a deposit before work begins, which secures time in the Designer’s production schedule.

Unless otherwise stated in writing:

  • Deposits are non-refundable

  • Final deliverables may be withheld until full payment is received

  • Chelcea Cupples Creative reserves the right to pause work on projects with overdue invoices

Due to the time, creative effort, and digital nature of design services, all payments are non-refundable once work has begun, including for partially completed work or unused design concepts.

Payment Disputes and Chargebacks

By purchasing services, the Client agrees not to initiate payment disputes or chargebacks for services that have been delivered or are in progress.

If a concern arises regarding services or payment, the Client agrees to contact Chelcea Cupples Creative first to attempt to resolve the matter in good faith.

3. Project Timeline, Communication, and Client Responsibilities

Project timelines depend on timely communication and the prompt delivery of materials, feedback, and approvals from the Client.

The Client agrees to provide necessary:

  • text content

  • images or photography

  • branding assets

  • account access

  • feedback and approvals

in a timely manner.

Delays in providing materials, approvals, or feedback may result in project delays.

Chelcea Cupples Creative is not responsible for project delays caused by:

  • late content delivery

  • delayed client approvals

  • third-party vendors or services

  • technical issues outside the Designer’s control

Client Inactivity / Project Abandonment

If the Client fails to provide required materials, feedback, or approvals for 30 days, the project may be considered inactive and removed from the active schedule.

If a project remains inactive for 60 days, it may be considered abandoned.

In cases of abandonment:

  • deposits and payments remain non-refundable

  • additional fees may apply to restart the project

  • a revised timeline or estimate may be required

4. Client Content Responsibility & Legal Compliance

The Client is solely responsible for providing all materials required for the completion of the project, including but not limited to:

  • text content

  • images or photography

  • graphics or illustrations

  • logos or trademarks

  • branding assets

  • product descriptions

  • marketing claims

  • downloadable files or documents

  • account access

The Client represents and warrants that all materials supplied:

  • are accurate and lawful

  • are owned by the Client or properly licensed

  • do not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity, or other rights

  • comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Chelcea Cupples Creative does not verify ownership, licensing, or legal compliance of materials supplied by the Client.

The Client assumes full responsibility for any claims arising from materials provided for the project, including but not limited to claims involving:

  • copyright infringement

  • trademark infringement

  • false advertising

  • violations of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) or other laws.

The Client agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Chelcea Cupples Creative from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, or legal expenses (including attorney fees) arising from materials provided by the Client.

5. Revisions

Projects may include a specified number of revision rounds as outlined in the project proposal.

Revision rounds are intended for refining the selected design concept, not for creating entirely new concepts or substantially redesigning the project.

Requests that require significant redesign, additional concepts, or revisions beyond those included in the proposal may incur additional fees.

Timely feedback is required to maintain project schedules.

6. Ownership and Usage Rights

Upon full payment, the Client receives the right to use the final approved design deliverables for their intended purpose.

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, Chelcea Cupples Creative retains ownership of:

  • preliminary concepts

  • unused design drafts

  • working files and editable source files

  • design processes and creative methodologies.

Chelcea Cupples Creative retains the right to display completed work in:

  • portfolios

  • marketing materials

  • social media

  • professional showcases.

Designer Design Rights and Reuse

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, Chelcea Cupples Creative retains the right to reuse, adapt, modify, or resell design concepts, layouts, templates, and creative elements developed during the project.

For projects such as invitations, event materials, templates, or similar designs, the Client acknowledges that design structures, layouts, and creative concepts may later be reused for other clients or sold as templates or products.

Any reuse will not include the Client’s personal information, branding, names, event details, or identifying content.

The Client retains rights to use their customized design, while Chelcea Cupples Creative retains the underlying design rights.

7. Third-Party Vendors, Printing, and Production

Chelcea Cupples Creative may prepare files according to standard design and print specifications.

However, the Designer is not responsible for errors or issues caused by third-party vendors, including but not limited to:

  • printing errors

  • color variations between screens and printed materials

  • paper stock or material differences

  • printer equipment settings

  • shipping delays

  • production errors from vendors.

Clients are responsible for reviewing and approving final proofs prior to printing or production.

8. Final Approval Responsibility

The Client is responsible for carefully reviewing and approving all final designs prior to printing, publishing, manufacturing, or distribution.

Approval confirms that the Client has verified all content, including:

  • spelling

  • grammar

  • dates

  • contact information

  • product information

  • event details

  • other written content.

Chelcea Cupples Creative is not responsible for errors that were approved by the Client prior to production.

9. Website Projects, Accessibility, and Post-Launch Responsibility

For website or digital interface projects, Chelcea Cupples Creative may follow general accessibility best practices where reasonably possible.

However, full compliance with accessibility standards (such as ADA or WCAG) cannot be guaranteed due to factors outside the Designer’s control, including:

  • future content updates

  • third-party plugins or tools

  • integrations or external services

  • downloadable documents or media

  • modifications made after launch

The Client is responsible for maintaining accessibility compliance when adding or modifying website content after launch.

Once a website or digital project has been delivered or launched, the Client assumes responsibility for ongoing maintenance, updates, and modifications.

Chelcea Cupples Creative is not responsible for issues that arise after launch due to:

  • client edits or updates

  • plugin or integration changes

  • platform or software updates

  • hosting or server changes

  • third-party developer modifications.

Future updates or troubleshooting may require a separate agreement or maintenance service.

10. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Chelcea Cupples Creative shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages arising from the use of design services or deliverables.

This includes but is not limited to:

  • business interruption

  • lost profits or revenue

  • printing errors from third-party vendors

  • website accessibility claims

  • technical issues or software changes

  • third-party service failures.

The total liability of Chelcea Cupples Creative for any claim relating to services provided shall not exceed the total amount paid by the Client for the specific project.

11. Project Termination

Either party may terminate a project at any time by providing written notice.

In the event of termination:

  • the Client agrees to pay for all work performed up to the termination date

  • all deposits and completed work remain non-refundable

  • any outstanding invoices become immediately due.

Chelcea Cupples Creative is not obligated to deliver final files or transfer project materials until all outstanding balances are paid in full.

12. Force Majeure

Chelcea Cupples Creative shall not be held liable for delays or failure to perform services due to circumstances beyond reasonable control, including but not limited to:

  • natural disasters

  • acts of God

  • severe weather

  • power or internet outages

  • illness or medical emergencies

  • government actions

  • labor disputes

  • hosting platform or software outages

  • failures of third-party services.

Project timelines may be reasonably extended in such circumstances.

13. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed and interpreted according to the laws of the State of California, without regard to conflict of law principles.

14. Acceptance of Terms

By accepting a proposal, estimate, or invoice from Chelcea Cupples Creative, the Client acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agree to these Design Service Terms & Conditions.

15. Intellectual Property Infringement Claims

Chelcea Cupples Creative creates original design work based on the information, materials, and direction provided by the Client. While reasonable efforts are made to create unique work, the Designer cannot guarantee that design elements, concepts, or visual styles will never resemble other existing works.

The Client acknowledges that similar or comparable designs may exist in the marketplace.

Chelcea Cupples Creative shall not be held liable for claims of intellectual property infringement arising from:

  • materials provided by the Client

  • content supplied by the Client

  • design direction or instructions requested by the Client

  • third-party assets requested by the Client (including fonts, images, templates, or graphics).

The Client agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Chelcea Cupples Creative against any claims, damages, or legal expenses arising from alleged intellectual property infringement related to materials or instructions supplied by the Client.

16. Portfolio and Marketing Rights

Chelcea Cupples Creative retains the perpetual right to display, reproduce, and promote completed design work for purposes including but not limited to:

  • professional portfolios

  • websites

  • marketing materials

  • social media

  • design competitions or publications

  • educational or promotional materials.

This right applies unless otherwise agreed to in writing. Confidential or sensitive information belonging to the Client will not be disclosed without permission.

17. AI and Third-Party Tool Disclaimer

Chelcea Cupples Creative may utilize a variety of professional tools, software platforms, stock resources, and emerging technologies—including artificial intelligence (AI) tools—to assist in research, ideation, design development, or workflow efficiency.

Any such tools are used solely to support the creative process.

The Client acknowledges that AI tools, stock libraries, and third-party resources may have their own licensing terms and limitations.

Chelcea Cupples Creative makes reasonable efforts to comply with licensing requirements but cannot guarantee that third-party tools or platforms will remain available, unchanged, or free from future legal or licensing disputes.

Chelcea Cupples Creative shall not be held responsible for claims arising from the future policies, availability, or licensing changes of third-party platforms, software providers, or AI systems used during the design process.

18. Professional Conduct

Chelcea Cupples Creative is committed to maintaining a respectful and professional working environment.

The Designer reserves the right to terminate a project immediately if the Client engages in behavior that is abusive, threatening, discriminatory, defamatory, or otherwise inappropriate.

In such cases:

  • any payments made remain non-refundable

  • the Client remains responsible for payment for work completed up to the termination date.

19. Legal Fees and Dispute Resolution

In the event of a dispute arising from services provided by Chelcea Cupples Creative, the parties agree to first attempt to resolve the matter through good-faith communication.

If legal action becomes necessary to enforce these Terms, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys’ fees, legal costs, and expenses in addition to any other relief awarded.