What Is a Design Retainer?

A design retainer is an ongoing partnership that provides you with consistent creative support, priority access, and brand oversight on a monthly basis—without the inefficiencies of per-project pricing.

Instead of starting from scratch each time you need design support, a retainer allows us to work together continuously, efficiently, and strategically.

What a Retainer Includes

Depending on the retainer level selected, your monthly retainer typically includes:

  • A set amount of design time each month
  • Ongoing work within your existing brand system
  • Priority scheduling compared to one-off projects
  • Reasonable revisions
  • Strategic and creative input appropriate to your tier

This structure is ideal for businesses that need regular design support and value consistency over one-off execution.

Essentials

Up to 10 hours/month
$ 850
00
Monthly**
  • Priority Response Times
  • Graphic Design (print + digital)
  • Website Updates
  • Social Graphics
  • Marketing Assets/Collateral
  • Brand Consistency Oversight
Get Started
*No branding or website builds **3 month commitment required

Growth Partner

Up to 15 hours/month
$ 1250
00
Monthly**
  • Priority Response Times
  • Graphic Design (print + digital)
  • Website Updates
  • Social Graphics
  • Marketing Assets/Collateral
  • Brand Consistency Oversight
Get Started
*No branding or website builds **3 month commitment required
Popular

Creative Partner

Up to 20 hours/month
$ 1560
00
Monthly**
  • Priority Response Times
  • Graphic Design (print + digital)
  • Website Updates
  • Social Graphics
  • Marketing Assets/Collateral
  • Brand Consistency Oversight
Get Started
*No branding or website builds **3 month commitment required

Creative Director

Up to 25 hours/month
$ 1800
00
Monthly**
  • Priority Response Times
  • Graphic Design (print + digital)
  • Website Updates
  • Social Graphics
  • Marketing Assets/Collateral
  • Brand Consistency Oversight
Get Started
*No branding or website builds **3 month commitment required
BEST VALUE

What a Retainer Does *NOT* Include

To protect focus and quality, retainers do not include:

  • Full brand identity projects or rebrands
  • New website builds or large redesigns
  • Extensive brand strategy engagements
  • Copywriting-heavy or content-only work
  • Third-party or production costs

If a larger initiative arises, it will be scoped and quoted separately as a project.

How Monthly Work Is Managed

  • Work is scoped and scheduled month by month
  • Requests are submitted through the agreed-upon channel
  • Design time resets at the start of each billing cycle
  • Unused time does not roll over to future months

 

This ensures predictable capacity and consistent delivery.

Billing & Commitment

  • Retainers are billed monthly, in advance
  • A 3-month minimum commitment applies
  • Retainers renew automatically unless canceled in writing

 

This structure allows both parties to plan effectively and build momentum.

Turnaround & Prioritization

Retainer clients receive priority access compared to non-retainer work. While exact turnaround times are not guaranteed, requests are scheduled based on:

  • Retainer tier
  • Current workload
  • Complexity of the request

 

Rush requests may be accommodated for an additional fee, when availability allows.

Why Clients Choose Retainers

Clients who work on retainer value:

  • Faster execution over time
  • Deeper brand familiarity
  • Fewer onboarding and briefing cycles
  • A long-term creative partner

 

Retainers work best when there is trust, collaboration, and a shared long-term vision.

Questions?

If you’re unsure which retainer level is right for you, I’m happy to review your needs and recommend the best fit.