Agency vs. Client: Who Should Buy the Font License?

In creative agencies and freelance design studios, client branding projects move fast. You pitch a logo concept, design a brand identity system, create social media templates, and prepare final deliverables.

Then comes the critical legal question that trips up even experienced art directors: “Who actually needs to buy the font license—our agency, or our client?”

If your agency buys the font under your company name, can you transfer the license to the client when the project ends? Can you email the font file to the client’s internal marketing team? What happens if both the agency and the client need to use the font?

At Burntilldead Studio, we want to clarify our licensing rules so your agency stays legally compliant and your clients remain protected.

The Core Rule: Burntilldead Font Licenses Are Non-Transferable

Before diving into specific agency workflows, remember this foundational legal principle: Burntilldead Studio font licenses are strictly non-transferable.

When an agency purchases a font license under its own company name, that license belongs exclusively to the agency. An agency cannot transfer, re-sell, or hand off its font license to a client.

Scenario 1: The Agency Creates Final Static Deliverables Only (Client Never Types Text)

The Situation: Your agency designs a brand logo, packaging, and printed brand guidelines. You deliver flattened, print-ready PDFs, vector outlines (.AI files with text converted to outlines/curves), and PNG image assets. The client will never install the font software on their computers to type new text.

Who Buys the License? The Agency

• Why: The agency is the only party installing and using the font software to create artwork.
• The Result: The agency purchases 1 Desktop License for its workstation. Because the deliverables sent to the client are flattened images or vector outlines (not editable font files), the client does not need to purchase a separate license.

Scenario 2: The Client Wants to Type Their Own Invoices, Social Media Posts, or Documents

The Situation: You finish the branding project, but the client says: “We love this font! We want our internal marketing team to use it for daily social media graphics, corporate PowerPoint decks, and monthly newsletters.”

Who Buys the License? BOTH the Agency AND the Client

• Why: The agency used the font software to build the initial brand system. Now, the client’s internal team wants to install the font software on their own computers to type new text.
• How to Handle This Handoff:
  1. Do NOT email your agency’s font file to the client. Emailing font files to clients violates font copyright law and Burntilldead Studio’s non-transferable license terms.
  2. Direct the client to buy their own license: Send the client a direct purchase link to the font on Burntilldead Studio. The client purchases a Desktop License registered to their own company name for their required number of workstations.

Scenario 3: Purchasing on Behalf of the Client from Day One

The Situation: Your agency wants the client to own the license from the start so that all licensing records are registered under the client’s corporate name.

The Best Practice: Register Under the Client’s Name

When purchasing the font on Burntilldead Studio’s website, enter the Client’s Company Name as the Licensee / Owner during checkout, and bill the expense directly to the client as a project pass-through cost.

Agency Handoff Checklist: What Is Legal vs. Illegal?

❌ ILLEGAL:

• Zipping up your agency’s font folder and emailing it to a client or third-party printer.
• Transferring a license registered to your agency over to a client company.
• Using a 1-user font license across 10 agency workstations.

OPERATIVELY LEGAL:

• Converting all logo files and brand marks to vector outlines (Ctrl+Shift+O in Illustrator) before sending files to clients.
• Directing clients to buy their own Desktop/Web licenses directly from Burntilldead Studio.
• Purchasing multi-seat desktop licenses matching your agency’s exact workstation count.

Protect Your Agency’s Reputation

Using properly licensed typography protects your agency from copyright infringement claims and builds professional trust with enterprise clients.

Browse our diverse collection of display faces, scripts, and serifs for your next client project on Burntilldead Studio!

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