You do, but only if you created your own computer
files. This does not necessarily hold
true if you have a designer or print vendor create them. The print industry trade customs state that
files are tools of the trade.
This is no different than if you contract a carpenter to
build a wooden porch for you. Let’s
assume you have agreed to have the porch built for a certain amount of
money. What happens when the job is
competed and you find out that the carpenter has extra nails and boards? Are you going to ask him for the left over
items or allow him to put them in his truck?
Was there something in writing on the estimate stating that you would
recover any unused materials?
This is the same principle with trusting your print or
graphics vendor who created your digital files. It must be stated clearly on the written
estimate as to who owns those files especially with complex projects. You may someday want to use those files again
in some other fashion. You could ask for a copy of the file but if your print
vendor gives you an Adobe PDF it may be useless if you have to make future
edits. It gets worse if you get
unprintable Adobe PDF files. An unprintable Adobe PDF file is a digital proof
that can be seen on the computer screen but will print as a hardcopy original.
It can become very
interesting when you wish to change designers or print vendors. Don’t be
shocked if your vendor argues with you on releasing the files or charges you for
locating and transferring your duplicate files. There are some sharks in our
industry like any other profession, so buyer beware.
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