OUR PROCESS

Each project is tailored to the client’s individual needs, but most follow a basic process. Here’s how it works:

1. PLANNING

We meet, in person or on the phone, to discuss your project, focusing on goals, audience, budget, etc. Afterward, based on that discussion, Ladderback delivers a proposal that outlines the project in detail and includes the design fee. If the proposal is acceptable, the client sends an original signed copy to Ladderback, along with a deposit.

2. DESIGN

Ladderback will start gathering content for the project. We will contact you to get relevant text, photography, or other assets, as the project requires, or arrange for one of our vendors (copywriters, photographers, etc.) to create the content based on your needs. (Often, outside vendor fees are not included in the design fee in the proposal.) Once we have all the content, we get to start the fun part: designing!

3. REVIEW & EDITING

Ladderback presents designs to you. Based on your feedback, Ladderback will revise and present new designs. Our standard proposal includes three rounds of designs; minor edits do not count as a “round.” Additional rounds can be negotiated if need be, but this is rare; we almost always come up with something we all like by round 3. (Note: For text-heavy projects, Ladderback includes ten hours of editing copy in our standard proposals. Additional editing fees can be negotiated if need be.)

4. VENDOR MANAGEMENT

Ladderback researches and finds pricing for your project based on our capabilities of communicating in clear and concise language with printers and web programmers. Ladderback will present a range of pricing for you at the same time as we work out design decisions, and we discuss the pros and cons of the options available. Our 12 years of experience with these technically complex vendors ensures a smooth and surprise-free process.

5. FINAL APPROVAL

Once we are finished with the project, we send you a final version and a Proof Approval sheet. You initial each page to indicate approval, or makes notes to indicate minor changes. Once we get final approval, we send the project off to the printer or another vendor, depending on the project’s needs. Ladderback oversees all production, from press checks to proofing, or working with a web programmer.

6. DELIVERY

The final project is delivered to you (or, if you would like to use a mail house; Ladderback can arrange for mailing). Ladderback sends a final invoice for the design work to you. Any outside vendors will invoice separately.