Terms and Conditions

Last Updated: March 19, 2026

Overview

These Terms and Conditions govern all design, web, copywriting, print, and related services provided by Blueleaf Creative, LLC (“Blueleaf Creative,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) to any client or prospective client (“you” or “Client”).

By approving an estimate or submitting payment, you agree to these Terms and Conditions.

When a signed project agreement exists between you and Blueleaf Creative, that agreement governs. These Terms and Conditions apply to all engagements where no signed agreement is in place and serve as a baseline for all working relationships.

For questions, contact us at service@blueleafcreative.com or (713) 292-6537.

How Engagements Begin

Projects begin with an estimate outlining the scope of work, deliverables, and pricing. Estimates are valid for the period stated on the estimate. Print estimates are valid for the period stated on the estimate.

Work begins after:

  • Estimate approval
  • Receipt of the required deposit (50% of the project total unless otherwise specified)

Estimates are not fixed-price guarantees. Changes to scope, additional requests, or client-approved third-party expenses may affect the final amount. For expenses that are minor in nature or necessary to meet project deadlines, Blueleaf Creative may proceed without prior approval. Substantial changes that affect scope, deliverables, or cost will be communicated in advance and require your approval before proceeding.

Payment

Deposit

A non-refundable deposit of 50% of the project total is required before work begins. This deposit fairly compensates Blueleaf Creative for committing resources to your project and declining other opportunities.

Final Payment

The remaining balance is due upon completion of the project and before delivery of any files, credentials, or publication. Net payment terms are not standard and must be established prior to project start. Contact us to discuss eligibility. Established net terms will be reflected on your invoice.

Late Payments

Invoices become past due one calendar day after the payment due date. Late fees are $150 or 5% of the outstanding balance, whichever is greater. Blueleaf Creative reserves the right to withhold delivery of work until all balances are paid.

Rush Fees

Projects requiring expedited timelines are subject to rush fees:

  • $200/hour for after-hours work, Monday through Thursday
  • $275/hour for weekend work, Friday through Sunday
  • $525/hour for work performed the day before or on federally observed holidays

Rush fees apply when accelerated timelines are requested by the client, including situations where client delays have compressed the project schedule.

Cancellation

If a project is canceled by the client for reasons other than a breach by Blueleaf Creative, a kill fee of 20% of the total project cost applies, in addition to any amounts already paid. The deposit is non-refundable in all cases. No rights or license to the work are granted upon cancellation.

Projects considered abandoned due to client non-response of 30 or more days are also subject to the kill fee.

Ownership and Intellectual Property

Blueleaf Creative’s Work

All design work, written content, illustrations, and creative materials produced by Blueleaf Creative remain the intellectual property of Blueleaf Creative, LLC until final payment is received in full.

After final payment, ownership of completed deliverables transfers to the client as specified in the project agreement or estimate.

Native Files and Working Documents

Native artwork, source files, and working documents — including .ai, .indd, .psd, .eps, .svg, and packaged files — remain the exclusive property of Blueleaf Creative and are not included in deliverables unless separately licensed or purchased in writing.

For print projects, clients receive final press-ready PDF files and any formats explicitly listed in the estimate. Native files are not included by default. Upon written request, Blueleaf Creative may provide a quote to license or transfer specific native files for an additional fee.

Third-Party Assets

Fonts, stock images, plugins, and other third-party assets used in your project are licensed, not owned, by Blueleaf Creative. These licenses are not transferable to the client. Third-party assets will be excluded from any native file transfer unless otherwise allowed by the licensor.

Client-Supplied Materials

If you provide materials for use in your project — including logos, photos, copy, or other content — you represent that you have the right to use those materials and that they do not infringe on any third party’s intellectual property rights. Any costs, penalties, or claims arising from client-supplied materials are the client’s responsibility.

Portfolio Rights

Blueleaf Creative reserves the right to display completed work in its portfolio, marketing materials, case studies, and on third-party platforms, including Behance, LinkedIn, Clutch, and similar platforms. This right is retained regardless of project completion or termination.

Unauthorized Use

All work delivered by Blueleaf Creative is licensed for use in its original, delivered form only. The following uses are unauthorized without prior written approval:

  • Creating derivative works — including but not limited to modifying, adapting, repurposing, or rebuilding any delivered file for a new use, location, entity, or audience
  • Using a delivered PDF, image, or file as a template or starting point for new work
  • Swapping out logos, text, images, or other elements within a delivered design to create a new or related version
  • Reproducing any portion of the work in a different context than originally intended
  • Sharing delivered files with a third party for the purpose of modification or the creation of derivative works, unless files have been separately licensed or purchased from Blueleaf Creative

Unauthorized use, including the creation of derivative works, entitles Blueleaf Creative to compensation equal to 200% of the final invoice price, in addition to all other remedies available under law.

Client Responsibilities

Proofing and Accuracy

You are responsible for reviewing and approving all proofs, mockups, and deliverables for accuracy — including spelling, grammar, technical content, and legal clearances. Blueleaf Creative is not liable for errors in approved work once it has been approved.

Approvals

Approvals may be provided via signed approval form, email confirmation, or other written communication. Verbal approvals are accepted but must be confirmed in writing within one business day. Approval constitutes your acceptance of the deliverable as presented.

If deliverables are presented for approval and no response is received within 7 business days, they are considered approved.

If your designated approver changes during the project, notify Blueleaf Creative in writing immediately.

Providing Feedback

Good feedback describes the problem, not the solution. For example: “This section feels hard to follow for someone unfamiliar with our industry” is more useful than “move this paragraph here and change this color.” When you tell us what is not working and why, we can apply our expertise to solve it. When feedback becomes instructions on how to execute, it limits what we can do for you.

Content and Timeline Responsibilities

You are responsible for providing content, feedback, and approvals on time. One designated individual from your organization must have authority to approve deliverables and must be available throughout the project.

Delays caused by late content, feedback, or approvals will result in adjusted timelines. If a project is inactive for 30 or more days due to client non-response, it is considered abandoned and subject to cancellation terms, including the kill fee.

Blueleaf Creative is not responsible for missed deadlines, rush charges, or lost opportunities resulting from client delays.

Communication

Office Hours

Blueleaf Creative’s office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM CST, excluding federal holidays and posted closure dates. Blueleaf Creative is not responsible for responding to client communications outside of office hours.

Primary Communication Method

Email is the primary and preferred method of communication for all projects. Using email ensures that project details, approvals, and decisions are documented and accessible to both parties throughout the engagement.

Phone Calls

Phone calls are available during office hours. Brief calls are generally not billed. Calls exceeding 20 minutes may be billed at Blueleaf Creative’s discretion. Telephone meetings must be pre-scheduled to guarantee availability.

Meeting Cancellations

On-site meeting cancellations require a minimum of 24 hours advance notice. Missed meetings or cancellations without sufficient notice may be billed at Blueleaf Creative’s discretion.

Client Availability

You are responsible for being available and responsive throughout the project. Blueleaf Creative is not responsible for delays, missed deadlines, or additional costs resulting from client non-response or failure to provide timely communication.

Post-Launch Support (Website Projects)

For website projects, Blueleaf Creative is available for 7 business days following launch to provide reasonable technical support and correct errors or deficiencies identified after publication. This support period does not include the creation or build of new site pages.

After the 7-business-day support period, technical support and corrections are available at Blueleaf Creative’s standard hourly rate as outlined in your project agreement.

Force Majeure

Blueleaf Creative is not liable for delays or failure to perform caused by events outside its reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, natural disasters, illness, medical emergency, pandemic, power disruption, connectivity failure, government action, civil unrest, or other events that materially prevent normal business operations.

In the event of a force majeure delay, Blueleaf Creative will notify you as soon as reasonably practicable and will resume work when normal operations can be restored. Payment obligations are not affected by force majeure events.

Confidentiality

All correspondence, estimates, pricing, invoices, and project materials shared between you and Blueleaf Creative are confidential. Estimates, pricing, and invoices may not be shared with third parties outside your organization without prior approval from Blueleaf Creative.

Blueleaf Creative will not sell or disclose your proprietary information, trade secrets, or confidential business information to any third party.

Limitation of Liability

Blueleaf Creative’s maximum liability for any claim related to services provided is limited to 100% of the total fees paid by the client for the project in question. This limitation applies to all claims except those arising from gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Dispute Resolution

In the event of a dispute, both parties agree to first attempt resolution through good-faith negotiation. If negotiation is unsuccessful, either party may initiate mediation or binding arbitration in a mutually agreed forum.

Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of the State of Texas. Any legal action arising from a client engagement with Blueleaf Creative shall be brought exclusively in the federal or state courts of Montgomery County, Texas. If Blueleaf Creative must pursue legal action to collect unpaid invoices or remedy a breach, it is entitled to recover costs, reasonable attorney’s fees, and interest at the maximum rate permitted by law.

Related Policies

Contact

Blueleaf Creative, LLC