Last Updated on Wednesday, 23 December 2009 08:33 Friday, 28 August 2009 00:00

Choosing a design firm can be a bit tricky. We hear many horror stories from our clients on how they got burned in past experiences.

Here are 10 tips to help make sure you don't fall victim to a bad design firm:

1. Does the company have a physical address, or just a web site? Is there a phone number to get support? Check the contact page, or the about us page. Don't be afraid to call and ask questions.
2. Do you recognize any of their clients? Do they show more than one item for clients? Companies don't do repeat business with firms they are not happy with.
3. Can you view samples of their work on their web sites? This is the best way to decide if you like the style of work they do.
4. How many sets of revisions do you get with your design? Get this figured out before you start the job and avoid hidden costs often called client revisions.
5. Are they building from a template or are they developing the design from scratch? If you are paying for custom work make sure you are getting it.
6. Will you own all the design work when the job is completed or do they retain the rights to the source art. Many clients learn this the hard way when they go to use the design for something else and realize they do not own it.
7. Is the company a design firm or are they a printer just doing design on the side to get the printing work. Some printers have great designers in house, but know who you are working with.
8. If you are providing images or photos are there additional charges for scanning and getting them ready for print?
9. Understand what the final output will be and exactly what you will get at the end of the job. Make sure you know what the file type will be and what format they will deliver it on.
10. Careful of lowball prices, good design takes time and good designers get paid for their work, if something looks too good to be true - it probably is!