Using freelancers is a great way for businesses to get professional graphic design work without the expense of a large agency or having a designer on staff. Many of our clients work with wonderful freelancers who bring a wide range of talent and expertise to each project. If you’ve never worked with freelancers, here’s a quick list of tips to help you through the process:

• Act as if you are hiring a “real” employee … do a thorough interview, check references, and make sure that the freelancer you choose is someone that you’d have good communication with, and who would work well with your organization, its needs, and your culture.
• Find out if the freelancer has experience getting files ready for print … this is key in our world. Believe it or not, there are many designers out there who come up with great art. But it only does your company good if it can actually be printed. Ask pointed questions such as: What printers have you worked with? Do you have experience checking proofs or going on press checks? What problems have you run into with jobs on press? (if they say none, don’t believe it!)
• Make sure that you will own the original files after the project is complete … if your relationship with the freelancer deteriorates, or if (s)he gets hit by a bus tomorrow, you need your files. You don’t want to be stuck empty handed. Oh, and by “original files” I mean the illustrator artwork, eps files, InDesign files, or whatever program your designer used to create the design.
• Get an estimate and scope of work up-front … specify things like how many rounds of revisions are included, whether coordination with printers is included, and how you’ll handle overruns of this estimate. Working this out on the front end saves you pain on the back end.

These are just a few things to consider when working with freelance designers. There are great ones out there, and you can have a successful relationship if you have a full understanding - on the front end - of how you’ll work together.