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Client File Delivery Links and Permissions for Producers

Deliver client files safely: link permissions, expiry, watermarks, version folders, and post-payment unlock patterns.

Client File Delivery Links and Permissions for Producers
Business client file deliveryDrive permissionsWeTransferproducer workflowstem delivery
Quick answer: Share least-privilege links, version folders, and explicit final vs preview labels. Prefer viewer access until payment clears for commercial work. Log what you sent. Tools: Drive, Dropbox, WeTransfer, Frame.io, store gated downloads.

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Quick Answer

Client delivery fails when links are public forever, wrong-permission, or overwritten without versions. Use a consistent folder pattern, least-privilege sharing, expiry or password when available, clear file names, and a delivery message that states what is final vs preview.

Why Permissions Are Part of the Product

A mix is not delivered when you “sent a link.” It is delivered when the client can download the correct version, understands it is final, and you retain a record of what left your hands. Leaked unmastered drafts, editor-access on the wrong Google account, and expired WeTransfers without re-send policy create avoidable drama.

Permission Matrix

SituationAccess levelLink typeNotes
Preview mix (unpaid balance)Viewer / download optionalRestricted to emailWatermark or low MP3 OK
Final after paymentViewer + downloadRestricted or expiringFull WAV/stems
Collab co-producerEditor if they uploadNamed accountsNot “anyone with link” edit
Label A&R listenViewerTime-limited if possibleNo stems unless NDA/deal
Public promo snippetsPublic viewSeparate promo folderNever co-mingle masters
Archive for client laterViewerStable project folderVersion subfolders frozen

Folder and Naming Pattern

Clients/YYYY_Artist_Song/

01_intake/ briefs and references

02_wip/ internal only — do not share root

03_client_previews/v01_v02…

04_final/YYYYMMDD_final/ WAVs, masters, stems, license PDF

05_admin/ invoices, contracts

  • File names Artist_Song_v03_preview.mp3 · Artist_Song_FINAL_24b48k.wav · Artist_Song_STEMS.zip
  • Never final_FINAL2_real.wav without date; overwriting FINAL in place

Tool Notes

  • Google Drive / Dropbox Prefer named-user shares. Audit “anyone with the link” quarterly. Disable edit on client preview folders.
  • WeTransfer / TransferNow Great for one-shot finals; calendar a re-send policy before expiry. Keep local archive always.
  • Frame.io / similar Best when timestamp comments matter; still export a frozen final package.
  • Beat store gated download Ideal for productized leases; pair with license PDF in the same delivery email.
  • Email attachments Only tiny MP3 previews — masters bounce from inboxes and hit size walls.

Delivery Message Template

  • Subject [Song] FINAL delivery — WAV + stems (vFinal 2026-07-12)
  • Body bullets Link + access instructions; list of files; sample rate; what is final vs not; revision policy remainder; license/receipt attachment; how long link stays live; your archive confirmation.
  • Preview variant Mark PREVIEW in subject; state remaining balance if any; disable stems.

Security and Hygiene Checklist

  1. Remove public edit links
     Search Drive for anyone-with-link editors monthly.
  2. Separate promo and master trees
     No masters in the public press kit folder.
  3. Log deliveries
     Sheet: date, client, version, link ID, permission, hash optional.
  4. Revoke ex-collab access
     When a feature falls through, pull editor rights.
  5. Local + cold backup
     Cloud is not your only copy of finals.

Common Mistakes

  • Anyone-with-link editor on client folder Files get moved or deleted by accident (or worse).
  • Overwriting FINAL Disputes become impossible to adjudicate.
  • Sending stems before payment on fixed-price gigs Know your policy and state it at intake.
  • Expired transfer with no local zip You cannot re-deliver what you deleted.
  • Ambiguous “latest” Always version and date in the message.

Policy Review

After any delivery incident (wrong file, leak, expired link), update this policy the same week. Align intake forms so clients know how files arrive. See async handoff checklists and intake templates for upstream clarity.

Deliver like a pro — more client ops guides on Plugg Supply Learn.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What permission should clients get on Drive?
Usually viewer with download on final packages. Avoid editor on shared client roots unless they must upload.
Should previews be public links?
Prefer restricted links. If public, use low-quality or watermarked previews only.
How long should delivery links stay live?
State a window (e.g. 7–30 days) and keep your own archive so you can re-issue.
When do I send stems?
Per your contract/tier — often after payment clears for mix gigs; immediately for paid stem lease products.
What belongs in the delivery email?
Version label, file list, link, sample rate, final vs preview status, revision remainder, and license/receipt if commercial.
Is WeTransfer OK for masters?
Yes for one-shot delivery if you retain a local archive and can re-send after expiry.