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That could have been expensive…
A few weeks ago we were approached by a company to produce some signage for a local shop, as part of a publicity campaign.
With experience, from the initial enquiry, it just had headache written all over it.
I first established who was paying our invoice, who was our client, and who’s instruction are we to follow.
During the site survey the proprietor of the company was asking about making changes to the design. We hadn’t produced the design, and were just taked with manufacturing the sign from artwork supplied and installing it.
At this point, I made my feelings clear, that I felt this was a can of worms, and we’re going to be the ones caught in the middle between our client, their client, a design agency and a PR company. A conversation and our client accepted our views, and agreed we’d proceed.
Artwork supplied by our clients designer, and we query the sign, as initially we’d quoted on coloured tray, and the colour on the artwork didn’t match, and sought to clarify the colours they wished to use.
After providing us with HEX colours, we then provided the closest options of coloured vinyl, and RAL colours or the signboard, as that was the specification we’d quoted on (ie not full colour print)
All was agreed, and confirmed by the designer to our client, who confirmed it with us. We subsequently confirmed this on the proof (despite the artwork being provided)
Fast forward to the day of the installation, the fitters removed the old sign, and come to install the new, removing it from their van, the proprietor looks suprised by the colour.
It’s not the colour they expected, but is the colour that our client/designer had provided and agreed.
Thankfully we’d –
A) Queried the colour with the client
B) Confirmed the colours with the client
C) Proofed the artwork referencing colours
D) Done most of that via email, with a trailObviously there’s been a breakdown in communication somewhere along the line, but thankfully we’ve “covered our backside”
Rather than posting “help my customer’s saying their signs wrong”, I’m hoping this is demonstrates to some, why it’s always worthwhile being diligent and crossing the t’s, and dotting the i’s. We could have easily found ourselves on the hook for several thousands pounds.
Some would say I’m a bit pedantic, and there’s no need for some of the steps we follow, and 99.9% there isn’t but this .1% makes it all worthwhile!
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