[fantasygoat]

I was contacted to design a poster for a fairly large band for an upcoming show, and I sent off a proof last night for approval.

They really like the design and asked for a couple of changes, which is fine. But then they wanted me to take my name credit off the front of the poster ("Poster Design by Jeremy Wilson"). They're reasoning was that "when people purchase a poster they consider the posters to be a kind of cultural artifact and when you include that kind of promotional information it messes with the integrity of the artifact."

I completely, 100% disagree with this, and the thousands of posters on this site back me up. Naturally I refused this change, as I believe having my name on the front of the poster is an important part of the overall design, along with the band name and show info.

This is a standard poster deal where I charge a very small amount (in this case $4 per poster) in exchange for the right to after sales. Part of that is people seeing my name on the poster so they can find me to get them, or for me to get other poster jobs. If they were willing to pay the actual production costs (about $14 per poster) I would have less of an issue taking my name off the poster, but I still wouldn't like not being able to have my name on my own work.

I basically replied that this point wasn't negotiable, and I am prepared to walk away from the 15+ hours I've spent on the design if I can't have my name on it. And from the tone of their email, it looks like that's what will happen.

I know a few of you have done work for this band and therefore have forgone having your name on the poster - they claim "we've dealt with some pretty amazing poster artists and have never once put their promotional information on the front of the poster" - so I guess some of you have less of an issue with credit.

I think that at the $4 below cost point, they shouldn't get to take my name off the poster, but what do you guys think? Should I just let it go?

This would be the first time I ever compromised on this point, as no one has EVER had a problem with it, or even MENTIONED it. I mean, I've only been doing this 3 years or so but this is the first time it's ever come up. And it's just a 10-point line of text at the bottom!

Anyway, let me know what you think.