Terms & Conditions
iSpeak CREATIVE â Terms & Conditions
Last Updated: February 12, 2026
Effective Date for Revised Rates: April 1, 2026
Rate Implementation Notice: The revised Tier rates published herein apply immediately to all new clients and new engagements initiated on or after February 11, 2026. For existing active clients with ongoing engagements established prior to this update, revised rates become effective April 1, 2026 unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Welcome. These Terms & Conditions (“Terms”) govern all proposals, estimates, statements of work (“SOW”), invoices, retainers, prepaid blocks, and projects delivered by iSpeak CREATIVE, LLC (“iSpeak CREATIVE” or “iSC,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) to the client identified on an estimate or invoice (“Client,” “you,” or “your”).
By approving an estimate, paying an invoice, prepaying hours, or authorizing work to begin (collectively, “Acceptance”), you agree to these Terms.
1. Scope of Services
iSpeak CREATIVE provides professional creative and consulting services including, without limitation:
⢠Presentation design and PowerPointŽ support
⢠Branding and visual identity systems
⢠Digital and web design
⢠Custom graphics and illustration
⢠Infographics and scientific/technical visuals
⢠Photo retouching and AI image enhancements
⢠Website maintenance
⢠Creative consulting
⢠Emerging technology services (Voice AI, automation systems, CRM workflow design, smart websites)
Specific deliverables, timelines, and fees are defined in an approved estimate or SOW (“Estimate”).
2. Tiered Rate Structure
Unless otherwise stated in an Estimate, services are billed according to the following tier structure:
Tier 1 Level Projects â $200 per standard studio hour
Tier 2 Level Projects â $175 per standard studio hour
Tier 3 Level Projects â $150 per standard studio hour
Services are categorized by project type as outlined below:
Tier 1 Level Projects
⢠Digital Graphics (animations, email campaigns, web design, website maintenance, 3âD rendering)
⢠Brand Identity (logo revisions, branded color development, style guides, stationery systems)
⢠Advanced creative and visual system development
Tier 2 Level Projects
⢠Print Collateral (brochures, flyers, newsletters, meeting support materials)
⢠Custom Graphics (iconography, illustration, infographics, mechanismâofâaction visuals)
⢠Complex Presentation Design (highâconcept slide development, advanced visual storytelling, data visualization strategy, litigation or academic argument structuring, heavily customized layouts)
⢠Photo retouching and AI image enhancements
Tier 3 Level Projects
⢠Standard Branded PowerPointŽ production and formatting
⢠Presentation style guides and layout libraries
⢠Onâsite or virtual presentation support
⢠Chart and graph plotting/recreation (nonâstrategic)
⢠Scientific posters (standard layout/production)
iSpeak CREATIVE reserves the right to classify projects based on scope and complexity consistent with the above categories.
2A. International Tiered Rate Structure
For clients headquartered outside the United States, the following standard rates apply:
Tier 1 Level Projects â $225 per standard studio hour
Tier 2 Level Projects â $200 per standard studio hour
Tier 3 Level Projects â $175 per standard studio hour
These rates reflect additional coordination, timeâzone management, administrative complexity, and crossâborder project requirements associated with international engagements.
3. Studio Hour Classifications
Standard Studio Hours
MondayâFriday 9:00 AMâ5:00 PM EST
After Hours / Weekend Work (1.5Ă applicable Tier rate)
⢠Tier 1: $300/hr
⢠Tier 2: $262.50/hr
⢠Tier 3: $225/hr
Holiday Work (2Ă applicable Tier rate)
⢠Tier 1: $400/hr
⢠Tier 2: $350/hr
⢠Tier 3: $300/hr
Holiday Work includes services performed on the following studioâobserved holidays and designated closure periods:
⢠New Yearâs Day
⢠Martin Luther King Jr. Day
⢠Good Friday through Easter Sunday
⢠Motherâs Day
⢠Memorial Day weekend (SaturdayâMonday preceding the last Monday in May)
⢠Fatherâs Day
⢠Independence Day (including adjacent weekend when observed on Friday or Monday)
⢠Labor Day weekend (FridayâSunday preceding the first Monday in September)
⢠Thanksgiving weekend (ThursdayâSunday)
⢠New Yearâs Eve
Year-End Blackout Period: iSpeak CREATIVE is closed beginning the business day immediately preceding December 24 through the first business day following January 1. Work requested during this period is subject to Holiday Work rates and availability.
Flexible Studio Designation: iSpeak CREATIVE may designate additional studio-closure dates or limited-availability periods during the calendar year. Services requested during those periods will be treated as Holiday Work unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Premium hours require prior written client authorization. Without written approval, time will be billed at the Standard rate.
4. Estimates, Changes & Rush Work
Estimates are valid for 30 days unless otherwise stated.
Work beyond approved scope (including additional concepts, revisions, deliverables, meetings, or timeline accelerations) is billable at the applicable Tier rate unless an amended Estimate is approved in writing.
Projects requiring less than 48 hoursâ notice may incur a 20% rush fee at iSpeak CREATIVEâs discretion.
5. Complex Visuals
Highly detailed infographics, Mechanism of Action (MOA) visuals, scientific illustrations, or unusually complex graphics may require additional discovery and iteration. These projects may be billed under Tier 2 or scoped separately depending on complexity and timeline.
6. Website Maintenance
Website maintenance services are provided under a monthly agreement or retainer. Maintenance includes routine monitoring, updates, and visual checks as defined in the applicable agreement.
Maintenance does not include redesigns, new feature development, or major content revisions unless separately agreed in writing.
7. Payment Terms
Standard rates assume Net 15 payment terms.
Net 30 terms may be approved upon request.
As an incentive for accelerated payment, invoices paid within ten (10) calendar days of issuance are eligible for a 2% courtesy discount, when reflected on the invoice.
Net 60 terms are not standard practice and require prior written approval. Where approved, a 10% pricing adjustment will be applied to the applicable Tier rate to account for extended payment cycles.
Late payments (beyond the agreed payment term) may accrue interest at 1.5% per month (18% annually) or the maximum allowed by law.
We reserve the right to pause work or withhold deliverables for accounts in arrears.
8. Prepaid Hour Blocks (Optional)
Clients may elect to prepay blocks of creative hours under the following structure:
⢠10 prepaid hours â 5% bonus value
⢠20 prepaid hours â 7.5% bonus value
⢠40+ prepaid hours â 10% bonus value
Bonus value is applied as additional service hours, not as a cash discount.
Prepaid hours:
⢠Must be paid in full in advance
⢠Are nonârefundable
⢠Expire within sixty (60) days unless otherwise agreed in writing
⢠Are applied at the applicable Tier rate in effect at the time of use
Prepaid clients receive priority scheduling based on availability.
9. FixedâFee Projects
Unless otherwise stated, fixedâfee projects follow one of the following structures:
⢠50% deposit / 50% prior to final delivery
âorâ
⢠33% deposit / 33% midpoint / 33% prior to final delivery
All deposits are nonârefundable once work has commenced.
10. Client Responsibilities
Client agrees to:
⢠Provide timely, consolidated feedback
⢠Supply accurate and licensed materials
⢠Designate a single point of contact
⢠Conduct final legal, regulatory, and factual review of all deliverables
Client is responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
11. ThirdâParty Costs & Expenses
Thirdâparty expenses (printing, stock media, hosting, domains, plugâins, platform fees, travel, etc.) are billed at cost plus a 20% vendor management fee when procured by iSpeak CREATIVE, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Travel time is billable doorâtoâdoor at the applicable Tier rate.
12. Intellectual Property
Upon full and final payment, Client receives an exclusive, perpetual license to use the final approved deliverables.
Preliminary concepts, unused artwork, internal tools, templates, working files, and proprietary processes remain the property of iSpeak CREATIVE unless explicitly licensed in writing.
Editable/native source files are provided only if specifically included in the Estimate or purchased separately.
13. Emerging Technology & AI Services
Voice AI systems, automation workflows, CRM integrations, and smart websites may involve thirdâparty platforms and licensing. Platform fees, subscription costs, and ongoing support are the Clientâs responsibility unless otherwise agreed.
iSpeak CREATIVE does not guarantee performance metrics dependent on thirdâparty platforms.
14. Confidentiality
Each party agrees to protect confidential information shared in connection with a project and to use such information solely for the purposes of the engagement. Confidentiality obligations survive for three (3) years following project completion.
15. Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, iSpeak CREATIVEâs total liability for any claim related to a project shall not exceed the total fees paid for that specific project.
iSpeak CREATIVE shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, or lostâprofit damages.
16. Suspension & Termination
We may suspend or terminate services for nonâpayment, material breach, unlawful use, or failure to provide necessary approvals or materials.
Client is responsible for payment of all work performed and committed thirdâparty costs through the effective termination date.
17. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Connecticut. Any disputes exceeding the smallâclaims limit shall be resolved by binding arbitration in Fairfield County, Connecticut.
18. Updates to Terms
The version of these Terms in effect at the time of Acceptance governs that project. iSpeak CREATIVE reserves the right to update these Terms periodically, with the most current version published on our website.
Questions? Please contact us prior to approving an estimate if you would like clarification on any provision of these Terms.