Should Designers charge for source files?
To simplify it, I usually frame it like this: the source files are usually of no use to 70% of clients, because they don´t have the software to use it. The remaining 20% that may have a copy of the software, believe they can do just as good a job if they have the files and edit themselves, 5% eventually are able to not completely mess up and the remaining 5% actually have some knowledge of design / aesthetic principles and understand how to make minor tweaks.
So in my case, if it´s illustration work, compositing, layout and publication, it´s unlikely the client has the software to even open it up. If they do, or have a Designer ready to edit and make “small changes” (and turn a profit on my work), this is where source files acquiring fees should kick in. Here´s why: as a Designer, we are paid to deliver a finished product, not the blueprints that lead to making that product.
Same thing as with a car. When you purchase a car at the dealership, you are paying for that car, not for the blueprints that enabled production to fabricate it. This is due to the fact the car manufacturers invested millions and extensive amounts of time perfecting the car and if they gave the blueprints away, they would have no sustainable business.
Most important of all, these changes remove any opportunity for the professional (us, the Designers) to make recurring revenue from it. Think about it. If a Designer hands over editable files to a client in the software they were created (inDesign / Illustrator / Photoshop files) — that may have already been discounted to start with — then the Designer is also handing over to the client all the means to be dispensed from further comissioning of more work. It may be just a “simple / small / easy / quick” change. But the price of giving the source files away doesn´t usually include the years of learning, acquiring experience and knowledge that went into making that brochure.
As per industry standards, source files prices begin at 3x the final product price. That´s whatever a Designer charged the client for the execution of a project, multiplied by 3. It may be hard for the client to understand this and there can be resistance, but as professionals, this is also our job to educate the public.
Here´s something to consider: the definition of “professional / expert” of any area is a minimum investment of 10.000 hours to earn that designation. Knowing that, what do you think of giving it away for free?
At the end of the day, it´s up to the professional to work it out if he / she is willingly ready to part their work at a no cost rate to the client. However, let it be known that big name agencies do not practice this for a reason.
There is an exception. The ONLY cases where I include all source files is with logo work. And so should all professionals of Design. Which, interestingly enough, is not what the vast majority of online outsourcing platforms do! There is a reason for this to be so. Most said platforms who sell logo services at unsustainable rates, don´t even have the source files! In other words, most of the work that is transactioned at a ridiculous price money is not theirs. Yes, you read it right. It´s copied from serious professionals who do understand Design is more than creating pretty pictures. This is a topic or another day, though.
Back to logotype projects: what I do with my clients once we arrive at a solution for the brief, is I hand over all the vector files, image files, renderings relevant to the logo segment of the project. Signature variations, monochromatic options, typographic elements (that are included in the quote for the project), so on. Keep in mind these files handed over are only for the logo itself. If the scope of the project entails identity, advertising or promotional work like application on business cards, letterheads, social media work, billboards, further image compositing work, the source files that generate the latter pieces, ARE NOT included in the handover phase, unless agreed upon or budgeted for in the quote or price.
So to answer the question of whether Designers should charge for source files or not, the answer is a clear YES.
If you are the Client, make sure you either are NOT entitled to the source files by default. Alternatively, if you DO want to have the editable files, insure the Designer is aware and this is stipulated before you start working.
If you are the Designer, insure your client is aware that a fee applies if source files hand over is required. Preferably, at the start of the project. If not, educate and negotiate. Also, DON´T forget to negotiate right of usage for portfolio display and relevant copyright issues.
Sorry for the long answer. If you´ve read this far, thank you for your patience and curiosity. It´s a long winded way of explaining why a Designer is doing a dis-service by giving his / her work away for nothing. Whether you are a Designer yourself or a Client, I hope this was useful to and you now understand a little more about this matter. If you have any questions, just drop a comment below, I´ll be happy to answer.