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The Edge Agency Ltd

First draw up a simple list including stages, deadlines and most importantly, your budget. Then build in a contingency if possible. A good design company will manage the project and control costs to meet your agreed budget, but it might pay to have some extra funds up your sleeve in case you want to add a special finish or increase the print run at the last minute. Be aware that this might also affect delivery dates.

Your design company will discuss the project with you and together you should agree a creative brief. This is the framework for their creative work and it's important you are both clear about the objectives and chosen direction from the outset. At the same time you should approve costs on all items and define terms of payment - it's not unusual to make stage payments on some projects as the design company might have to pay photographers or other specialist suppliers. Another good idea is to identify how many sets of revisions or alterations are included in the price, remember if you want changes made, someone has to spend time doing this. However, most design companies will be reasonable about this.

Once the brief, costs and deadlines are agreed sit back and let the designer get to work. Providing you have confidence in your choice of designer it should be plain sailing from here, a professional company will take the load and manage your project to completion with minimum hassle for you, the customer!