My Client Wants Another Revision?! (And How I Survived)

Ugh, revisions. We’ve all been there. You nail the brief—a sleek new logo, a killer website mockup, a brochure that’s chef’s kiss—and then… the client comes back with a laundry list of “minor” tweaks. “Can we just make the logo a little bigger? And maybe try a different shade of blue? Oh, and could we see what it looks like with a completely different font?” It’s the dreaded revision cycle that never ends, especially when a client acts like “unlimited revisions” is in the contract, even if it totally isn’t.  As graphic designers, we get it. You want happy clients. You want them to rave about your work. But endless revisions are a profit-killer, a creativity-drainer, and a direct path to burnout. It’s like being trapped in a never-ending PSD file of doom.  So, how do you deal with clients who seem to think “just one more tweak” is their God-given right? How do you set boundaries without sounding like a jerk? And, most importantly, how do you get paid for the extra work you’re doing? Let’s break it down.  Why Unlimited Revisions Are a Disaster  “Unlimited” anything is a bad idea, especially in design. Here’s why:  Why Clients Think They’re Entitled to Unlimited Revisions  Now that we understand why unlimited revisions are problematic, let’s explore why clients may expect them.  Setting Boundaries and Charging for Extra Iterations  Here’s how to take back control of your time and creativity:  Any requests for additional meetings or design rounds, exceeding what is defined in this contract, may necessitate a modification to the estimated price and timeline of this project.  This clause sets the stage for fair boundaries. Combine it with these specific points:  Detailed Proposals: Before finalizing the contract, your proposal should clearly define the project scope, deliverables, milestones, timeline, and revision policy. This helps set client expectations upfront and avoids misunderstandings later. Here’s a sample:  This clear structure helps clients see where revisions fit in and keeps the project on track.  “Just a friendly reminder, this revision goes beyond what was included in the original agreement. I’d be happy to proceed at my hourly rate of $50/hour. Would you like me to send over an updated estimate?”  Expand the use of time-tracking tools like Toggl or Clockify to monitor all revisions, even the included ones. These tools not only help justify your fees but also refine your pricing for future projects by providing clear data on how long each revision takes.  Stop letting endless revisions drain your creativity and earnings. By setting clear boundaries, using structured feedback rounds, and leveraging time-tracking tools, you can stay in control while delivering top-notch designs. You’ve got this!