TripleCrownNC

I have had some custom vinyl graphics made by a guy out of state. He is completely disorganized and cant keep the job straight, I have no confidence he could find, reprint, and get them to me at some point in the future. In fact, I don't want to go through him again. I would like to ask him for the files for future use with an different company. Is it possible I can store the files or other possible way forward? thanks

dev

Yes, they are really no different than any other file, and usually pretty small. Store them on dropbox, on a USB drive, whatever.

stimpson.j.cat

What dev said. Hedge your bets by storing them in the cloud and locally. I use dropbox (personal) and google drive (business).

Make sure you get the vector files (ai, eps, svg, pdf, etc.). This will ensure scaleability if you choose to use those images on a much bigger (or smaller) boat.

TripleCrownNC

If I set up a google drive can this guy drop the files in there?

FASTFJR

Yup, the files should not be large if they are vinyl cut. Make sure he sends you at least a PDF version

stimpson.j.cat

Yes. Assuming this guy is capable. And we all know how that typically goes.

He could probably just email them to you also. File sizes should be pretty manageable if they are vectors and not rasters.

TripleCrownNC

I am setting up the google drive, at least I think I am (-:. I am going to email him as ask him to send me the files and see where that goes. thanks

dev

He also most likely has Google Drive, dropbox, etc. He can put the files up for you to download and then save wherever you want if you can't get it working on your side.

mikefloyd

Not taking his side but you paid him to make the graphics what benefit would there be for him to give you the files so you can use someone else?

captainbaker

Not getting your business slammed online for one. And the OP paid for them is the other.

TripleCrownNC

Would you be interested in a three month + circus trying to get some graphics printed after laying out a significant sum of money? His first shipment to me, that was supposed to be complete, did not include the main graphic on the motor cover. This is not all that difficult.

Wilder1478

If he sends the files and they are photoshop .psd or illustrator.ai I can export to pdf for you.
If they are simple vector graphics And he will not send the files I can re-create them from a photo. If they are raster graphics then I would keep asking him. You paid him for the the design. You own the design unless there was some other agreement. Reach out if I can help.

Flot

Triple, if that doesn’t work I can send you a link
he can upload to. PM me if you need it.

as above I doubt they’re that big.

TripleCrownNC

Thanks, so far he has been uncooperative but I am still asking.

TripleCrownNC

Thanks for this, If I get anywhere with him I will probably take you up in this.

colemast

Found This under Graphics Copyright laws:I hate to break it to you, but under US Copyright law, the designer automatically owns all rights to the work they do.

That’s right. All rights and ownership belong to the creator of the work (i.e., the designer). Automatically. They don’t have to do anything except…make stuff.

The one exception to this is work-for-hire, which basically means that if a designer is your full-time employee, then any work they create is yours. A freelancer, unless specifically stated in your/their contract, is NOT a work-for-hire.

So if the proposal or contract doesn’t specifically state that some or all of the rights will be transferred to you, you are only implied the right only to use the work or reproduce (print) it. And even that should be spelled out.

The main reason why professional designers don’t give away their source files is because the client is paying for the final work, not the tools to make it.

Copyright actually refers to a bundle of rights.

There are 1) rights to display work, 2) rights to reproduce work, and 3) rights to make adaptations (derivative works).

Typically I give the first two to all my clients; I don’t care how often they display my work, or how many copies they have printed. What I normally don’t give away is the right to make changes. And the only reason to have native files is to make changes.

signmansez

In twenty five years I have never refused a request for someone's files. If they are not happy with my work or prices, that's on me. If I do a layout for you, you are paying for it and it's yours.

If if you want to take your business elsewhere it's yours to do whatever you want with.

Good luck and if you have issues feel free to contact me. Be glad to help you out. Oh, and I rarely collect money upfront unless I order some type of custom material. Still operate on a hand shake and your word!