Dribbble Project Terms & Conditions

This guide summarizes the Terms of Service for working on Dribbble in plain language, so you can feel confident in how projects are set up and supported on the platform. It covers important topics like how to start a Project, how payments and refunds are handled, and who owns the final work.

Dribbble is a platform where clients can discover designers and request design services, and where designers can showcase their work and offer services. Through the platform, clients and designers can connect and work together on Projects. When a client accepts a service offering or proposal, a binding agreement is created directly between the client and the designer.

Dribbble’s role is to support this process by providing tools such as payment processing, video calls, file sharing, and messaging, but the work itself is handled between the client and the designer. All designers operate as independent contractors, not employees of Dribbble, and by using the platform, you agree to our full Terms and policies.

From Terms sections: Intro paragraphs 1–2, Section 4, Section 5, Section 5.a, Section 5.c, Section 5.d, Section 37

You can start a project by purchasing a Service from a designer or accepting a Project Proposal. Once payment is made, it creates a binding agreement between you and the designer. The details of the project—such as scope, deliverables, timing, and pricing—are defined in that agreement. If there is any conflict between the agreement and Dribbble’s Terms, Dribbble’s Terms will take precedence.

From Terms sections: Section 5, Section 5.a, Section 5.n

Once you accept a service offering or proposal, payment is handled through Dribbble. All project payments must be made on the platform. Dribbble holds funds while work is in progress. Payments are released when certain conditions are met—such as when you approve the release of a payment (for example, Kickoff Payments), confirm that work is complete, or Dribbble determines that the agreed work has been fulfilled. As payments are approved or work is completed, Dribbble releases the corresponding funds to the designer, minus any applicable fees.

From Terms sections: Section 5.c, Section 5.e, Section 5.i, Section 17

Dribbble helps protect payments by holding project funds while work is in progress. Funds are only released when you approve a payment, confirm that work is complete, or Dribbble determines that the agreed work has been fulfilled. This gives you control over when payments are released and helps ensure that funds are tied to project progress.

If a project is not completed or does not meet expectations, you can request a refund of funds still held by Dribbble. In some cases, both parties may agree to a partial refund, or Dribbble may determine that some work was completed and release part of the funds accordingly. If there is a disagreement, Dribbble may step in through Project Mediation to determine how funds should be handled. That determination will be final under the Terms.

From Terms sections: Section 5.e, Section 5.f, Section 5.g, Section 5.n

You can request a cancellation at any point during a project. If no work has started, or if the designer agrees, a full refund may be issued. If work has already begun, the client and designer may agree to a partial payout based on the work completed. If an agreement cannot be reached, Dribbble may step in through Project Mediation to review the project and determine how funds are distributed. Once funds have been released to the designer—including kickoff payments and any other approved payout—they are not eligible for refund through the platform. Refunds only apply to funds that are still being held by Dribbble.

If a payment is canceled, reversed, or charged back without Dribbble’s approval, you will not have any ownership or rights to the project deliverables. Chargebacks or payment disputes may also lead to account restrictions or account closure.

From Terms sections: Section 5.f, Section 5.g, Section 5.h, Section 5.e, Section 5.i, Section 5, Section 16

Ownership of the final work depends on both project completion and payment. Once the project is completed and all required payments have been made, ownership of the final deliverables—including copyright and trademark rights—automatically transfers to the client unless the accepted proposal states otherwise. If a payment is canceled or charged back, the client does not receive ownership of the deliverables.

Designers retain ownership of any pre-existing tools, code, or materials they used to create the work. However, if those elements are included in the final deliverables, the client receives a broad, ongoing license to use them as part of the final work.

Designers are responsible for ensuring that the work is original, that they have the rights to provide it, and that it does not infringe on third-party rights. They will also ensure that any third-party materials used are properly licensed.

From Terms sections: Section 5, Section 5.j.i–vi

If a dispute comes up during a project, either the client or the designer can request support through the platform. Dribbble may work with both sides to help reach a resolution. If an agreement can’t be reached, Dribbble may step in and decide whether the work was completed and how funds should be distributed through Project Mediation. Any decision made by Dribbble about project completion or payments will be final under the Terms.

From Terms sections: Section 5.g, Section 5.n

When you discover a user on Dribbble—whether by viewing their profile, anything they have uploaded or posted to the website, or communicating with them in any way—any payments between you and the other user must be handled through Dribbble's platform for the next 12 months. Users who meet on Dribbble are strictly prohibited from circumventing Dribbble's Platform Fees.

Before payment is completed, communication must take place through Dribbble’s messaging or video tools. After payment, you can choose how to communicate, but keeping communication on Dribbble is recommended to ensure your project remains supported, especially if any issues arise.

In some cases, these requirements may not apply if the designer is designated as a Designer Advertiser, as described in the Terms.

If these requirements are not followed, you may lose access to platform protections, face account restrictions or removal, and be subject to additional enforcement actions, including fees or other remedies.

From Terms sections: Section 6.a, Section 6.b, Section 6.c, Section 6.d, Section 6.e, Section 6.f, Section 5.d, Section 5.c, Section 5.g

When using Dribbble, you’re expected to follow the Community Guidelines and interact with others in a professional and respectful way. You may not engage in behavior that is illegal, misleading, abusive, or harmful. This includes things like impersonation, fraud, harassment, spam, or attempts to interfere with the platform or other users. While Dribbble may monitor activity and step in when needed, it does not take responsibility for interactions between users.

From Terms sections: Intro paragraph 3, Section 7, Section 8, Section 10, Section 13

Dribbble provides the platform and tools that help clients and designers connect and work together, but it does not perform or manage the services itself. Projects are agreements between clients and designers, and Dribbble’s role is to support the process as an intermediary. All users operate as independent contractors, not employees or agents of Dribbble. While Dribbble supports payments, workflows, and dispute resolution, it does not guarantee the quality or outcome of services or deliverables. Dribbble may monitor activity and, when necessary, take action to enforce its Terms, including limiting or suspending access to the platform.

From Terms sections: Section 5.a, Section 37, Section 23, Section 13