How to Stop Endless Revisions on Design Projects (Without Ruining Client Relationships)

You delivered the logo. The files were clean, the feedback was positive, and the project should’ve been wrapped.

But three weeks later, the emails are still rolling in:

“Can we just change the font one more time?”
“I had a dream last night about the homepage…”
“What if we added a third version of the mockup?”

Sound familiar?

If you’re a designer or creative who feels trapped in the never-ending revision spiral — this post is for you.

The Real Reason Revisions Drag On

You’re not being walked on because you’re weak or bad at business.

In fact, the opposite is true: you care deeply. You want to deliver great work. You want your clients to feel proud, seen, and supported.

But that same generosity — when left unchecked — can lead to blurred boundaries, unpaid extras, and months-long projects that drain your time and energy.

True Story: The Client Who Came Back 6 Months Later

One of my design clients had a contract that included two rounds of revisions. Everything was delivered. Final files were sent. The client paid and said, “Looks great!”

Six months later?

“Hey, I’m ready to use one of those revisions now.”

It blindsided her. She was on vacation. The project had long been closed in her system.

And legally? The client was technically still within their rights. There was no expiration date on the revisions.

Where This Breakdown Happens (And Why It’s So Common)

Most creatives assume the client will know when a project is done — or at least act like it.

But here’s what I’ve seen over and over:

• The designer assumes two revisions = done

• The client assumes “done” = “when I feel done”

• And no one defines what “done” actually means

Some clients are also indecisive, unorganized, or navigating internal team feedback — and instead of setting limits, the designer keeps giving, hoping to make them happy.

This leads to scope creep, burnout, and resentment.

How to Fix It: Use Contract Clauses That End the Loop

You don’t need to become a bulldozer or start saying “no” all the time.

You just need a container that makes it clear what’s included, when the project ends, and what happens if the client wants more.

Here are two key clauses that can do that for you:

1. Acceptance Clause

This clause clearly defines when a project (or milestone) is officially complete — even if the client goes silent.

It takes the emotional weight off your shoulders by creating a neutral, contractual “end point” everyone agrees to in advance.

Example:

“Final acceptance will be deemed complete within 7 days of delivery unless written feedback is submitted.”

Want done for you Acceptance Clauses? Grab the Acceptance Clause Playbook here. 

2. Scope Creep Clause

This clause defines what’s included — and what’s not — and outlines the cost of extras like additional revisions, delayed feedback, or add-on requests.

Example:

“Additional revisions beyond the two included rounds will be billed at $200/hour and subject to availability.”

Want done for you Scope Creep Clauses? Grab the Scope Creep Playbook here. 

Together, these clauses protect your peace, your time, and your revenue — without harming your client relationships.

In fact, they make your clients feel safer because everything is clear up front.

What If You Didn’t Include These Terms Yet?

If your contract doesn’t already include a limit or a timeline, here’s what you can do:

• For new clients: Add a limit and expiration on revisions (“2 revisions within 30 days of delivery”).

• For current clients: Gently reinforce boundaries in conversation. For example:

  “Most clients complete revisions in 1–2 rounds. If it looks like we’ll need more, I’m happy to extend support at my standard hourly rate.”

The goal is never to punish — it’s to provide clarity, alignment, and a healthy energetic exchange.

It’s Not About Saying No — It’s About Saying Yes, With Structure

Clients asking for more isn’t the problem. It means they trust you. They value your opinion. They want more of your magic.

The solution isn’t to shut them down. It’s to charge appropriately for the extra value you’re delivering.

So the next time you hear, “Just one more thing…”, try:

“Happy to do that for you — it’ll take about 3 hours of additional design time. Want me to add that to your invoice?”

You stay in integrity. They feel supported. Everybody wins.

Want to Add These Clauses to Your Own Contracts?

If you’re done giving away extra work for free — or just want peaceful project endings and better boundaries — check out:

Acceptance Clause Playbook

Go from delivered to done. Learn the clause that stops ghosting and delays—so you get paid on time, every time.

Get the Playbook

Scope Creep Clause Playbook

Stop the “just one more thing” loop. Use this contract clause to prevent unpaid extras and late-night edits.

Get the Playbook

Watch the Replay Here:

FAQ From “How to Stop Endless Revisions on Design Projects”

Q1: Should I include a revision limit in every design package?

A: Absolutely — if there’s even a chance your client could ask for more, it’s essential to set a clear boundary. But a revision limit alone isn’t enough. You also need to set a timeline around when those revisions can be used.

For example:

“This package includes 2 revision rounds within 30 days of final delivery.”

This avoids situations where a client shows up six months later expecting changes. If your average client needs 3–4 revisions, set the number that reflects reality — not fear or guesswork. The key is to align your contract with how your business actually works.

Q2: How do I stop clients from asking for out-of-scope changes without sounding rude?

A: First, shift your mindset: if a client is still coming to you, that’s a good sign — it means they trust you. You don’t want to shut that down. Instead, turn requests into revenue with clear, professional language that values your time.

Try something like:

“I’d love to help with that! That would be an add-on that takes about 5 hours, and I typically bill that at $250. Would you like me to send over the invoice?”

This affirms the relationship without overgiving. You're saying yes to supporting them — without saying yes to unpaid work.

Q3: What if I forgot to include a revision limit in my contract — can I add one later?

A: Technically, no — not without a formal amendment signed by both parties. But if you’re still early in the process (like pre-onboarding), you can communicate soft expectations.

Say something like:

“At this phase, I typically keep things to 2–3 rounds of revisions so we stay on track. If you think we’ll need more, just let me know and we can build that in.”

This helps guide the process without creating friction. The real lesson? Don’t skip it next time — make sure your contract spells out how many revisions are included, over what timeframe, and what happens if that’s exceeded.

Q4: If a client said everything was approved, but keeps asking for more — can I still charge extra?

A: You can — if you’ve written your contract well. If the client signed off, and you have that approval in writing, you’ve met your obligation. But if the contract also gives them two revisions "anytime," they may still feel entitled to use them — even months later.

Here's what you can do:

• Clarify what was already delivered and approved

• Gently set a boundary:

  “Our project was marked as complete on [date], and the two included revisions were intended for use within 30 days of that. I’m happy to help — and I can offer that as a $X add-on.”