Had a client in Dallas ask for a full run of shirts with a 1-color print, then changed their mind to 4 colors after the screens were already burned.

Last week at my shop, a local band ordered 50 shirts with a simple black logo. We made the screen and set up the press. Two days later, they emailed asking to switch the design to a full color version with gradients. My partner says we should charge them a full new setup fee since it's basically a different job, but I feel bad because they're a new client and the original quote was low. Has anyone else had a customer change specs this late in the game, and how did you handle the pricing?

3 comments

3 Comments

lindaw292mo ago

But honestly, you quoted them for a simple job. They changed it to a complex one. That's on them, not you. New client or not, your time and materials have value. Eating that cost sets a bad precedent. They'll expect the same treatment next time. Charge the full new setup fee, it's just business.

quinn3772mo ago

Totally agree about setting a bad precedent. I learned that the hard way after eating costs once and then they expected it every single time.

eva_lewis1mo ago

Used to be the type to feel bad and eat those costs myself, but then a client pulled this exact thing on us and it changed my mind completely. They switched from a 2-color to a 5-color on a 200 shirt order after we'd already burned screens, and I let them get away with just a small fee. Next time they came in, they tried to argue that every price should be negotiable like that. Charging the full new setup fee isn't being harsh, it's just making sure they understand that changing the specs changes the whole job from scratch. Your partner is right, that screen is wasted and you have to start over on registration and burn time.