For studios

Contracts for studios

Studios usually juggle client agreements, freelancers and NDAs at the same time. Contracts.io lets you draft each one with Lex, share one link, and get it agreed and signed.

Draft this with Lex

Free for the other side

Lex drafts it in Plain English beside the legal wording. Share one link; both sides agree and sign.

Templates studios use most

Client workServices agreement (MSA)A services agreement sets the standing terms for every project with a client, so each new job needs only a short statement of work.Read →Client workStatement of workA statement of work sets the scope, deliverables, milestones and fees for one project under a wider services agreement.Read →NDAs & IPMutual NDAA mutual NDA lets two businesses share confidential information both ways before a deal, and says what each side can do with it.Read →Client workFreelancer agreementA freelancer agreement sets the brief, deliverables, rate, rights and payment terms between a freelancer and a client.Read →PartnershipsSubcontractor agreementA subcontractor agreement brings in help on a client project, passing down the right terms from your client contract.Read →Client workWebsite build agreementA website build agreement covers designing, building and launching a site: pages, CMS, rounds of changes, hosting handover and ownership.Read →

Which contract do we send a new client?

Many studios use a services agreement for the legal terms and a statement of work for each project. The services agreement covers payment, ownership of the work, confidentiality and liability once. Each SOW then sets the scope, deliverables, milestones and fee for one job. That way a repeat client only needs a new SOW, not a new negotiation. Lex can draft both from a short description of the work.

Who owns the work we make for clients?

It depends on the contract. Studios commonly transfer the rights in the final deliverables to the client once the invoice is paid, while keeping their own tools, templates and earlier work. Many also keep the right to show the work in their portfolio. Writing this down early avoids awkward conversations at launch, when a client asks for source files or a rival studio wants to reuse an asset.

How do we handle freelancers we bring in?

When a studio brings in a freelancer for client work, the terms often mirror the client contract. The freelancer agreement usually covers confidentiality, transfer of rights to the studio so it can pass them on to the client, payment terms and deadlines. Some studios also add a subcontracting clause to the client contract, so the client knows outside help may be used and the studio stays responsible for it.

Frequently asked questions

What contract does a design studio need?

Many studios use a services agreement with a statement of work for each project, plus an NDA for early conversations and a freelancer agreement for outside help.

Can a client sign a Contracts.io agreement without an account?

Yes. You share one link, the client reads the agreement in Plain English, agrees and signs. It is free for the other side.

Is Contracts.io legal advice?

No. Lex drafts contracts and explains them in Plain English. The legal wording governs, and it is not legal advice.

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