By Lee, founder of leodesign
A good revision clause states how many rounds of revisions are included (two is a common default), defines what one round is (a single, consolidated set of written feedback), separates revisions from new requests, and sets a price for extra rounds. Write all four into the contract before work starts, so "just one more tweak" becomes a quick conversation instead of an argument.
Below is how to decide each part, followed by sample clause text you can adapt.
Why vague revision terms cause trouble
"Reasonable revisions" or "revisions until you're happy" sound friendly, but the client and the designer will read them differently. The client hears "unlimited". You hear "a couple of rounds". When the project runs long, neither side can point to anything specific, and the conversation turns personal.
A clear clause protects the client too. It tells them how the process works, encourages them to gather feedback from everyone before replying, and makes the price of a change of mind visible before it happens.
How many revision rounds to include
There is no fixed rule, but these are sensible starting points:
- One round for small, tightly briefed jobs such as a flyer, a social graphic or an update to an existing layout.
- Two rounds for most design projects. This is the most common default and usually enough when the brief is solid.
- Three rounds for larger projects with several stakeholders, or where the brief was loose at the start.
- Unlimited only when you bill by the hour or on a retainer, where more rounds means more paid time rather than less margin.
For multi-stage work, set rounds per stage. For example: "three initial logo concepts, two rounds of revisions on the chosen concept, and one round on the final file set." For packaging, you might include rounds on the front panel design and a separate round on dielines and copy.
What counts as a revision vs a new brief
This is the part most contracts skip, and the part that matters most. A useful line to draw:
Revisions are changes to the work you presented, within the agreed scope:
- adjusting colour, size, spacing or typography
- changing wording or swapping images the client supplied
- choosing between options you already showed
- refining the chosen concept
New requests (change of scope) are not revisions:
- a new concept or design direction after one was approved
- extra deliverables, such as another SKU, a new page or a new format
- changes caused by the client's new information, such as a renamed product, new regulations or a different target market
- reopening something the client already signed off
Neither counts as a round:
- the first presentation of the work
- clarifying questions
- fixing your own mistakes, such as a typo you introduced
Also define what "one round" means: one consolidated set of feedback, from one named contact, delivered in writing within a set number of days. Ten separate emails over a week are one round only if the client sends them as one batch. Saying this up front stops drip feedback from eating the cap.
How to price extra revision rounds
Pick one method and state it in the contract:
- Hourly rate for extra rounds, with an estimate approved in writing before you start. Fair and flexible.
- Fixed price per extra round. Easier for clients to understand. Works well when your rounds are similar in size.
- Quote as a change order for anything that is a new request rather than a revision. Price it like new work and agree a new timeline.
Whatever you choose, require the client's written approval before you do billable extra work. That one line removes most surprise-invoice disputes.
Sample revision clause
Adapt the brackets to your project. This is practical wording, not legal advice; how a contract is read depends on where you and your client are.
Revisions. (a) The fee includes [three] initial concepts and [two] rounds of revisions on the chosen concept. (b) A round of revisions is one consolidated set of written feedback from the Client's nominated contact, sent within [5] business days of the Designer presenting the work. The Designer will deliver the revised work within [5] business days of receiving it. (c) A revision is a change to the presented work, such as colour, wording, size, imagery or arrangement. A new concept, a change of direction after a concept is approved, additional deliverables or changes to previously approved work are not revisions and will be quoted separately. (d) Additional rounds are charged at [rate per hour / fixed amount per round]. The Designer will estimate the cost in writing, and work will begin after the Client approves it. (e) Corrections of errors made by the Designer are not counted as revisions. (f) If the Client does not send feedback within [10] business days, the project schedule moves accordingly, and the Designer may schedule the remaining work around other commitments.
You can drop this into the free design contract generator as your own terms and edit it per project.
How to enforce the clause without souring the relationship
Having the clause is half of it. Using it kindly is the other half.
Track rounds openly. When you send work, say which round it is: "Here's round 2 of 2 on the label design." Clients rarely dispute a count they have seen all along.
Flag the limit before you hit it, not after:
Thanks for the notes. These changes complete the second included round. If more adjustments come up after this, I'll send a quick estimate before doing them.
Name new requests when they appear:
Happy to explore a darker direction. Since that's a new concept rather than a change to the approved one, I'll quote it separately. It would be [amount] and add about [time] to the schedule. Want me to go ahead?
Be generous on purpose, not by accident. If you choose to include a small extra fix for free, say so: "I've included this one at no charge." It keeps the clause intact for next time.
Link revisions to payment terms
Revision rounds and payment stages work best together. Many designers tie a payment to concept approval, so a change of direction after that point is clearly new work. If you are setting up those stages, see our guide on how much deposit to charge for design work.
Putting it into practice
Write your revision clause once, keep it as part of your standard terms and adjust the numbers per project. Leostu lets you keep your own editable contract terms, so a clause like the one above goes into every new order, and the client reads and signs it on their phone. You can start on the free plan, and the details are on the pricing section.