Color Grading Services Agreement Template

What Is the Color Grading Services Agreement?

This agreement is a legally binding contract between a colorist and client that defines the scope of color correction and grading services, technical specifications, deliverable formats, payment structure, and ownership of grades and custom LUTs. It addresses the unique challenges of professional color work including footage quality requirements, broadcast compliance standards, and portfolio usage rights.

The template protects colorists from endless revisions, clients who request major creative changes after approval, and disputes over technical deliverables. It establishes clear expectations for what constitutes acceptable source footage, how many revision rounds are included, and who owns the final color grades and custom looks.

 

 

Is This Color Grading Agreement Right for You?

You need this agreement if you're:

• Grading narrative films or documentaries
• Providing color correction for commercials
• Working on TV episodes or streaming content
• Color grading music videos or branded content
• Offering DaVinci Resolve or Baselight services
• Creating custom LUTs for productions

You definitely need this agreement if:

• Clients request unlimited revisions without additional payment
• Production sends you badly underexposed footage
• You're unclear who owns your custom grades and LUTs
• Clients change creative direction after you've completed work
• You can't showcase your work in your portfolio reel

 

 

Why Thousands Trust Legal GPS Templates

Save Money: $35 template vs. $2,500-4,500 attorney fees.

Save Time: Download and customize in under 30 minutes.

Look Professional: Attorney-quality language builds production company confidence.

Keeps You Out of Court: Our Source Footage Requirements prevent disputes over technical quality, Revision Rounds section stops endless tweaking, and IP Rights provisions protect your custom LUTs and portfolio usage.

 

 

 

Get Protected in 3 Simple Steps

Step 1: Secure Checkout

Complete your purchase through our secure payment system. You'll receive instant access to your template.

Step 2: Instant Download

Download your attorney-crafted Color Grading Services Agreement immediately after purchase. Compatible with Word, Google Docs, and all major platforms.

Step 3: Fill In the Highlighted Fields

Customize the template by selecting your service level, pricing model, and IP rights options, then send it to your client or production company for signature.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use this template multiple times?

Yes. Your purchase includes unlimited use for all your color grading projects. Use it with as many clients and productions as you need.

Is this contract legally binding?

Yes. This agreement is drafted using standard contract law principles and is enforceable in all 50 states. Both parties must sign for the agreement to be binding.

Does this template cover both color correction and creative grading?

Yes. The template includes three service level options from basic color correction to premium creative grading with custom LUTs and advanced techniques. Choose the level that matches your services.

What if the client provides poor-quality footage?

The agreement includes Source Footage Requirements that establish minimum technical standards for resolution, bit depth, and color space. You can reject substandard footage or charge additional fees for working with problematic material.

Who owns the custom LUTs I create?

The template provides three options: full ownership transfer to client, limited use license for this project only, or LUTs available for additional fee. You choose the option that protects your intellectual property and business model.

How do I protect my portfolio rights?

The agreement includes four portfolio usage options ranging from unrestricted use to no portfolio use with compensation. You can showcase your work immediately, after a delay period, or negotiate higher rates if portfolio use is restricted.