Avoid the “I thought that was covered” conversation.
What Is a Graphic Design Retainer?
It’s a monthly agreement where you pay a flat fee for access to ongoing design work. Think of it like adding a part-time designer to your team-without the HR headaches.
Great for:
- Brand consistency
- Faster turnaround times
- Predictable budgeting
What’s Usually Included
Here’s what you can expect from a standard retainer:
1. Design Hours
- A set number of hours or deliverables per month
- Priority scheduling and queue placement
2. Common Deliverables
- Social media graphics
- Display ads
- Pitch decks
- Print collateral (flyers, brochures)
- Email graphics
3. Brand Assets & Templates
- On-brand templates for faster turnaround
- Visual consistency across campaigns
4. Light Revisions
- Minor tweaks or updates to existing files
- Usually includes 1-2 rounds of feedback
What’s Usually Not Included
Retainers are great, but they’re not all-you-can-eat buffets.
1. Major Rebrands
- Full brand identity projects are separate
2. Web Design or Development
- Websites, landing pages, and dev work often live outside of basic retainers
3. Video or Motion Graphics
- Unless explicitly included, motion work is billed separately
4. Rush or Weekend Work
- Extra fees apply for urgent or off-hours needs
How Narwhal Creative Structures Retainers
We customize every retainer, but they all include:
- A clear scope of work
- Monthly deliverable caps
- Flat monthly pricing
We’ll also let you know when you’re nearing your limits-no surprise invoices.
Final Word: Ask Before You Assume
Retainers are a powerful way to lock in creative consistency and speed. Just make sure you know what’s included, and ask about the rest.
Want to See If a Retainer Makes Sense for You?
We’ll walk you through our packages, pricing, and what it’s like to have us on standby. [Book a call] and let’s see if it fits.
