A branding designer sends a proposal or quote after a discovery call and before any design starts. Clients often compare several studios, so the quote needs to show clearly what they get, how many rounds are included, and how the price compares in scope, not just in total.
When to use estimates: Use estimates to provide project quotes and get client approval before starting work. Once approved, convert your estimate to an invoice with one click to collect payment.
Create an invoice for payment collection
Upload logo
PDF will be generated with filename:
Invoice_1001_Client_2026-10-14.pdf
List the primary logo, secondary marks, color palette, type system, and file types (AI, SVG, PNG, PDF) so there is no confusion about what is included.
Revision limits are the main protection against endless changes. State, for example, three concepts and two rounds on the chosen direction.
Branding slips when feedback is late. Set review deadlines and say what happens to the schedule if they are missed.
Name items such as website design, packaging, photography, trademark search, and printing so clients do not assume they are covered.
Spell out when ownership transfers and whether you may show the work in your portfolio.
Fonts, stock assets, and print production can add up. Say whether they are estimated, billed at cost, or paid by the client directly.
A deposit amount, milestone dates, and a quote valid for 30 days protect you from pricing changes and delays.
| Service | Priced | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Logo design (logo only, 2-3 concepts) | flat fee | $500-3,500 |
| Core brand identity (logo, palette, type, basic usage rules) | flat fee | $2,500-10,000 |
| Full brand system with guidelines document | flat fee | $6,000-25,000 |
| Brand strategy workshop and positioning | per workshop | $1,000-5,000 |
| Business card, letterhead, and stationery set | flat fee | $400-1,500 |
| Packaging or label design | per SKU | $500-3,000 |
| Additional revision rounds beyond contract | per hour | $75-175 |
| Brand refresh or ongoing design support | monthly retainer | $750-4,000 |
Typical US ranges. Rates vary by region, experience, and job size.
A logo-only, core identity, and full brand system package lets clients choose a level without negotiating the scope from scratch. The middle option often wins.
Estimate hours internally, then add for strategy, meetings, and project management. A client with an established business and growth plans can usually afford more than a new freelancer.
Research and strategy shape the whole project. Charging for it separately or as part of the quote shows the client that it is real work.
If a client needs identity work in half the normal time, add 25-50% and state it on the quote.
Usually not for a short proposal after a call. For large projects that need extensive research or a pitch with custom concepts, a paid discovery phase or pitch fee is reasonable.
Detailed enough to list deliverables, rounds, timeline, and exclusions, but typically one to three pages. Clients should be able to compare it with another studio's quote line by line.
Send a change order with the added work, cost, and timeline impact, and get approval before starting. It keeps the original price intact and the added work billable.
Thirty days is common. After that, your availability and prices may change, so ask clients to accept in writing and pay the deposit to confirm their project slot.
Use the Branding invoice template to bill the client, or convert this estimate once it's approved.
Branding invoice template