-
Advice please, where do i stand?
So I did this van, had loads of issues trying to match their colour so I said to them send me a print out, letter head with their logo and colour and I’ll get as close as I can with vinyl. Pantone ref they gave me was not the colour they had on their letter head, I explained printers print different colours even if the same on screen, anyway, I got 10m of the colour and put it on the van, customer collect, gave me the cheque and went, 2 weeks later the pr events manager emailed me saying completely wrong colour, now I charged 580 pounds for it. Do I price up a pantone vinyl vs printed vinyl to their pantone, and how do I charge (if I do) for more material, I dnt know wether by law or consions should I foot the huge bill (which I can’t afford right away) or do I charge them a bit more and try to recoup some money I will lose? Help!!!!
-
33 Replies
-
Pantone 7944 u btw. Its a pastelly pale green
-
How close was the vinyl to the pantone swatch?
did you send them a sample to approve?
pantone greens are quite often hard to match, and sometimes impossible to get near with print
Peter -
Pretty far out from swatch, I sent them a print that I did of the pantone and they said it was grainy, I said it will be because of the colour range, kinda inbetween a blue and a pale green, I said for longevity I said we should go for vinyl, they sent me a colour sample as a printout and I said I would match to that and they said great thanks, so matched it close to that. (Which is not the pantone). They don’t really understand colour. I could print it and it would cost me 600 if I sub the work out (380 + vat for print, 100 for laminating it)
-
I wouldn’t worry too much about it Thomas. Explain that this was the closest match you could do in vinyl (as agreed) and that if this is not good enough it would cost xx amount extra to re-do it in a specific pantone colour.
-
quote Phill Fenton:I wouldn’t worry too much about it Thomas. Explain that this was the closest match you could do in vinyl and that it would cost xx amount extra to re-do it in a specific pantone colour.And walk away..
I agree,
if they paid for it and didn’t cancel the cheque immediately, it would also suggest they were happy with it. they instructed and you did, simples.
-
Yeah, considering it phill! They want it removed immediatly I know corporate colours are vital but its one van used in the middle of know where insuffolk, the actual branch manager said to me on the day before I fitted it ‘its green’ if he said no its too far out I woulda not done it, I just guaged his reaction on it. Its my birthday tomorrow aswell! What a birthday present eh!
-
Thomas, sorry to say it, but maybe you are the one that does not understand colour. (as far as clients go)
if a client needs a match, for a sample or a pantone reference, the ONLY way to do it is to give them a sample(s) for them to choose, then get them to sign it off by signing the back, cutting in half and returning you the approved colour sample.
did you get any sort of signed approval? and did they specify excactly which colour they wanted? if they sent you samples, then if your choice is close I would say you have a good defence, but all depends on what was stated in writing.Peter
-
The world is full of "PR events managers" that have their heads up their own arses 😕
-
Phill, u are so right! Had similar thing with a charity pr event bird. My first job, the approved proof, did job, they said its all wrong, made some adjutments and wouldn’t pay me full amount! Hence why I get most cash upfront and don’t really do n e work for charity!
-
quote Phill Fenton:The world is full of “PR events managers” that have their heads up their own arses 😕
Phill and hugh
if the client is unhappy, then surely better to resolve the issue than just tell them to lump it, right you got their money, so no problem?
not the sort of attitude I would expect from professionals.Have the dialogue, ask the questions, give the reasons as why you did it, and come to some sort of compromise.
Peter
-
I sent them a print sample of the pantone, they wouldn’t sign it off cos she said it was a bit grainy and not quite right colour. She’s been told the pantone, she’s then printed a letter head, I think she thinks this is the pantone colour when it isn’t, she’s matching it to the wrong colour. In the email I said I would get as close to her print off as possible and she said great thanks
-
quote Peter Normington:if the client is unhappy, then surely better to resolve the issue than just tell them to lump it,
Nobody told anybody to "lump it" – merely pointing out that expectations are unrealistic within the budget. This happens all the time and most companies either pay a lot extra for exact matches or accept a compromise colour. The problem only rears it’s head when you get "events managers" with their heads up their own arses (you never tell them that to their faces though, obviously – a bit of discretion is normally required)
-
Thomas, unfortunately, it would appear you have left yourself open,
I do understand your predicament, been there done it.
and printed the wrong colour t shirt!.
I do think the best solution would be to explain what happened to the "PR" person and state you have a printed sample that was agreed would be used as the aproval, (nearest match though is open to interpretation)as you have been paid, it is now down to them to take things further, if they do you could at worst have to refund and possible pay for,. or removal of the vinyl yourself,
They may not think it worth pursuing, but if you feel they will still be a potential customer, if may be worth coming to an agreement.Peter
-
Yea peter, it Is a tricky one, I think I’ll speak to ritrama and get a price for pantone vinyl and suggest to the clients that if they purchase this vinyl it could be used for all of their jobs so I may be able to say I’ll replace the van graphics no labour and just charge labbour if the want another van or two done, I’ll try and upsell. I don’t want to upset customers really. I want a good name not a bad one really!
-
Yea peter, it Is a tricky one, I think I’ll speak to ritrama and get a price for pantone vinyl and suggest to the clients that if they purchase this vinyl it could be used for all of their jobs so I may be able to say I’ll replace the van graphics no labour and just charge labbour if the want another van or two done, I’ll try and upsell. I don’t want to upset customers really. I want a good name not a bad one really!
-
quote Phill Fenton:I wouldn’t worry too much about it Thomas. Explain that this was the closest match you could do in vinyl (as agreed) and that if this is not good enough it would cost xx amount extra to re-do it in a specific pantone colour.
that says "lump it" to me phill
although I wouldn’t say it to your face 😀Unfortunately, quite often it is the "PR" person who is also the person who has the say, and who specified the colour in the first place that is precisely why we need to get signed approvals for colour.
I am only trying to help Thomas get the best result for himself.
Peter
-
I’m learning something new from every job, I’ll only make the mistake once give me time to be pros like u lot and I’ll crack this game!
Get a deposit even from big companies
Get everything signed off
Get everthing in writing
Get the job right first time
Don’t appky vinyl in cold weather
Clean ur solvent printer everyday
Don’t trust salesmen when they try to hard to be your friend
And
For the best hellp around, get on this. Forum! -
quote Thomas Peachey:I’m learning something new from every job, I’ll only make the mistake once give me time to be pros like u lot and I’ll crack this game!
Get a deposit even from big companies
Get everything signed off
Get everthing in writing
Get the job right first time
Don’t appky vinyl in cold weather
Clean ur solvent printer everyday
Don’t trust salesmen when they try to hard to be your friend
And
For the best hellp around, get on this. Forum!thats about right!
sorry if i came across as saying they can lump it, I can only assume they were happy with it initially, two weeks is a long time to leave it to complain, the few comebacks i’ve had have always been within 15mins of leaving, i reckon the park round the corner and have a proper look before noticiing a phone No mistake cos they never checked the proofs properly!
always try and resolve a problem, if you have to charge, make it clear. they accepted the job and gave the go ahead so really it’s in their court. you just need to appear to bend over backwards to help rectify, the phrase "i’ll fix it at cost" sits well with people, obviously they have no idea of your cost 😉
-
Lol, I put my customers vehicles in the parking spaces outside the unit, I’m tense when I know they’re coming because although they approve a proof. Havnt had a weired spelling mistake yet but have missed a hole in a couple of letters b4! Been paranoid ever since! Lol
-
see if i have this right
they gave you a pantone No did you check that with a pantone swatch.
you printed that pantone No – doubt that was accurate mine is not.
the secretary printed it out. same out come.
you selected a solid vinyl gloss from the print out (dull non accurate colour)
the manager said well its green obviously did not care to much.
the PR man spotted it straight away ?so mistakes all round really.
thing to find out is the pantone no they gave you to be correct.
only deal with the PR man from now on if he has the authority to place the order.your idea of them buying some fresh vinyl an you changing the colour labour free may be a solution.
as you say we all learn something every day.
best of luck -
Hey chris,
They gave me a pantone
I sent loads of vinyl swtches
They said none are right
I printed their pantone
They said its too ‘grainy’ and not right
I asked for the pr person to send me a letter head with their logo
It was not the pantone they said as I checked with my pantone card
I said it will cost xx for pantone colour match in vinyl and said green is notoriously difficult to print
I said I’ll match as close as poss to her printout
She said yes please
Job done’ -
that’s better, but what is correct there letter head or the pantone No.
-
This is the problem, the pantone is a very pale green, almost blue, there logo on the website is a dark forest green and their letter head is a bright green. I don’t think they understand that what u see on a monitor isn’t always what is going to be printed. I’m just gunna get a print sample done of pantone 7944u get em to sign it and do that! Then get MY printer working!
-
Hi Thomas, is it that Fuerst Day Lawson van you did? If it is, they seem a very big Company. They must have had vans done all over the Country, even World. Contacting someone who has done their other vans may help?
-
quote Thomas Peachey:Pantone 7944 u btw. Its a pastelly pale green
Thomas is that pantone number right? my swatches dont go that high,
Peter -
I said I’ll match as close as poss to her printout
She said yes pleaseThe second a conversation goes from very specific to a statement like the one above, I think the rules of what is fair changes.
I’ve come across this sort of thing before, and unless you’re dealing with people who themselves all know exactly what they’re doing, or you actually get to see one of their own vans or signs that they’re happy with it’s a problem waiting to happen.
I had a Pantone grey reference number sent to me by the Red Cross once, the colour was really dark, the print out showing what they wanted was really light. I contacted them and said send me a colour chip or leave it to my discretion. As it would have white lettering on it, it couldn’t be too light. This was before the days of Internet and they sent me a photo. I stated I could only do my best as it seemed to be somewhere in the middle of the two greys now. This all went fine, but if it hadn’t, I don’t think it would have been fair for me to entirely take the blame.
I can see both side of this, if it’s wrong and it’s honestly your fault, or you knew it couldn’t be the right colour as you’ve seen the company image, as a professional you should correct it. But if your wondering if you can be forced to pay for it to be corrected, then due to your conversation with secretary etc, very unlikely.
-
Just to add
We must consider "what is a nearest match"
This is very subjective.
Is it the nearest match in stock, the nearest match from one suppliier, or from many,
or the nearest match that my colour blind uncle chose? What light are you comparing the samples in, type of material etc. etc. So many variables
either way it should still be up to the client to sign off what THEY consider to be the closest match. or at very least a signature saying they will accept your judgement.Peter
-
7944u soz was at hme wen started thread! Pale green
Yeah fdl dave
-
I’m with Peter on the reference……I’ve never seen them go that high…Is it definitely right?
are you trying to match gloss or matt vinyls?….just asking because that is an uncoated reference and some coated and uncoated colours of the same number bare no resemblance to each other
-
Hi, yeah 7944u uncoated. Doing it on gloss but with a matt laminate, just spoke to. Pr manager, she’s really nice and understands the problem. She said as close to that as possible, the colour I used was their old colour so at least I got part of it right, she’s really happy with the quality though, silver lining and all that!
-
Is this their only van Thomas. They look a large company, I am surprised they don’t have a contract with a big firm. (No disrespect Thomas, I am a 1 man band lol)
-
Yeah this is the only one. I WILL be a big, have to start from somewhere don’t we! Lol
-
Bummer of a situation for you mate. Unfortunately we all will or have come unstuck like this – it’s part of the job! Many company insist on the ‘right’ colour, but when told of the price to make up a roll of ‘their’ colour (around a grand IIRC) they quickly become fans of the closest colour will be fine approach!
I’ve just done a job for a 1 off van that had grey text & 5 small multi coloured squares as part of the logo. I looked on their website & could match every one except a blue, so I went down there with my swatch to get them to choose.
Lucky I did because the internal signs were a completely different colour & their business cards & brochures were different too!
In the end, I got 3 of the 5 colours right by going off the website, the other 2 were miles out! The blue, which was a bright cyan, turned out to be a light blue & a purple was actually supposed to be cyclamen!
All chosen by the manager so I’ve no comeback if they’re wrong!
It pays though, as this 1 van has turned into 11 more & a load of siteboards.
Hope you get it sorted.
Log in to reply.
