TERMS OF ENGAGEMENT

[01] WHO THIS APPLIES TO

[THE_VAULT] is a one-operator design and build studio run by JD. These terms apply to anyone who commissions custom work (logo, brand kit, identity, website, or other build), purchases a catalog item, or buys a guide through this site or through direct message.

[02] COMMISSIONS // SCOPE & PAYMENT

• Scope is locked in writing before any deposit is requested. Verbal or DM agreement on price and deliverables counts as writing for this purpose.
• Payment is 50/50. 50% deposit opens the production slot; the remaining 50% is due before final source and production files are released.
• Payment is invoice-only, via Stripe, Wise, or Interac e-Transfer depending on the client's location. No card details are ever collected on this site.
• The deposit is non-refundable once concept work begins. If a project pauses for more than 14 days without client response, the slot may be released to the queue.
• First concept is delivered within 72 hours of cleared deposit. Up to 3 revision rounds are included in the base rate; additional rounds are quoted separately.

[03] OWNERSHIP & DELIVERY

• Ownership of the final delivered work transfers to the client once the balance is paid in full.
• [THE_VAULT] retains the right to display finished work in its own portfolio, case studies, and social channels unless the client requests confidentiality in writing before the project starts.
• Working previews and in-progress files may carry a watermark or reduced resolution until final payment clears.
• Source files (vector, project files) are included on identity and web commissions unless otherwise stated in the scope.

[04] CATALOG & GUIDES

• Catalog kits and guides are digital products. Once a file is downloaded, the sale is final — no refunds on digital delivery, consistent with standard practice for downloadable goods.
• Catalog kits are licensed for use by the purchasing individual or business on one brand / one project. Reselling the raw kit files as-is (unmodified, as a competing kit) is not permitted.

[05] THE HANGAR (GAME)

• The VLT-X1 flight sim at /hangar is provided for entertainment. No purchase is required to play.
• Leaderboard entries (callsign + score) may be displayed publicly. Do not submit a callsign you wouldn't want shown on a public leaderboard.
• The game's code is original work. See the site's Privacy Policy for what's stored when you submit a score.

[06] LIMITS

[THE_VAULT] is a design and software studio, not a licensed engineering, legal, financial, or aviation professional service. The site's visual language borrows from aerospace and cockpit aesthetics as a design choice; it does not imply certification in any of those fields. [THE_VAULT] is not liable for indirect or consequential damages arising from the use of delivered work; liability is limited to the amount paid for the specific commission or product in question.

[07] CHANGES

These terms may be updated as the studio grows. The version in effect at the time a deposit is paid is the version that governs that commission.

[08] CONTACT

Questions on these terms: use the contact form or DM @tvaultproject on X before starting a project. No public email address is published on this site.