Should You Sign a Cigar NDA? What It Really Means for Creatives & Clients Alike

13 May Should You Sign a Cigar NDA? What It Really Means for Creatives & Clients Alike

Picture this: I get a phone call from an amazing potential client. They’ve seen our work at Cigar Package Design, and they’re excited to collaborate. We’re talking vision, creative energy, passion. Then comes the pause…

“Would you be willing to sign an NDA?”

Without hesitation, I say, “Yeah, no problem.” I can hear the relief in their voice.

For those of us working in the premium cigar industry—where confidentiality is often the name of the game—this is a pretty common scenario. But what exactly does signing an NDA mean for a creative studio like ours? And what should you look out for before you sign?

Let’s break it down.

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What Is a Cigar NDA, Really?

An NDA, or Non-Disclosure Agreement, is a legal contract designed to protect confidential information. It’s the brand’s way of saying, “We want to work with you, but we need to make sure what we share doesn’t end up in the wrong hands.”

We like to jokingly call it “Never Discuss Anything”—because often, that’s exactly how it feels.

It can be several pages long, outlining what we can’t do:

• Can’t show the project publicly
• Can’t share it in our portfolio or social feeds
• Can’t talk about it with colleagues
• Can’t even reference it indirectly
• Sometimes… can’t even tell your spouse you’re working on it!

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Why NDAs Matter—and Why They Can Be a Double-Edged Sword

NDAs can be a sign of trust. Clients want to protect their intellectual property, especially in a competitive space like premium cigars. We get that. And we respect it.

But here’s where it gets tricky.

Some NDAs are so restrictive, they leave no room to breathe. You finish an amazing project, it launches, and still—you can’t post it, promote it, or even whisper about it. We’ve had a few of those. And to this day, we still can’t mention them.

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The Red Flag: When an NDA Becomes a Non-Compete

There’s one type of NDA I absolutely won’t sign—when it’s quietly masquerading as a non-compete agreement.

Buried deep inside the legalese, you may find language that not only restricts what you can talk about but who you can work with in the future. Some even go as far as to say you can’t take on projects that are “similar in nature” for a year or two.

Imagine being told you can’t work on any cigar packaging project because the last one was “similar.” That’s a hard pass.

In some cases, I’ve had to send the document back with edits—or decline the project altogether. Because while we’re all about discretion and professionalism, we’re also running a creative business.

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Read It. Flag It. Get a Lawyer to Review It.

I always read NDAs carefully. If something feels off, I flag it or strike it out. Often, I’ll have our attorney review it before moving forward.

Remember: NDAs are written to protect the client. That’s fair. But they should never come at the expense of your ability to keep building your business and portfolio—especially when you’re honoring confidentiality in good faith.

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Trust Is Earned—Not Just Signed

At CPD, we’ve signed plenty of NDAs. Some of our proudest work lives in secrecy, and that’s okay. We build trust by respecting boundaries and honoring agreements.

But we also value transparency with our clients. If something in the NDA limits our ability to serve you or future partners, we’re going to have that conversation.

Because at the end of the day, this isn’t rocket science—it’s cigar packaging. And if we’re working together, it should be a great experience.

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Final Thoughts: Know What You’re Signing

So, should you sign a cigar NDA?
Yes—if it’s fair.
No—if it limits your livelihood.

Read the fine print. Know what you’re agreeing to. And most importantly, have the conversation upfront. The best collaborations start with trust, not silence.

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💬 Question of the Day:

What was the last time you entered into an NDA? How did it affect your ability to share or promote your work?

We’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment or DM us on Instagram @CigarPackageDesign.

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Cigar Package Design
We help people build cigar brands.