Creative professionals send an estimate or proposal before starting work, usually after a discovery call or review of a brief. Clients often compare several quotes, so the document needs to show exactly what is included, how many revisions are covered, and who owns the work. Vague quotes tend to produce scope creep and unpaid revisions.
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
Listing items like a primary logo, social avatars, and AI, EPS, and PNG files prevents later arguments about what was promised.
Sets a clear limit on how much back-and-forth is included in the price.
Ties delivery dates to the client responding on time, so delays on their side do not become your problem.
Spells out whether the client gets a license or full copyright, and when the transfer takes effect.
Stock photos, fonts, models, location fees, printing, and travel can add up quickly and should be agreed before they are incurred.
Specifies that the client supplies copy, photos, logos, or approvals, and what happens if they arrive late.
Shows when money is due and how long the quote holds before prices may change.
| Service | Priced | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic design (general) | per hour | $50-125 |
| Logo and brand identity package | flat fee | $800-5,000 |
| Illustration (custom spot or editorial piece) | per piece | $150-1,200 |
| Photography (commercial or product) | per hour | $100-250 |
| Videography and editing | per day | $600-2,000 |
| Motion graphics / animation | per hour | $75-150 |
| Social media graphics bundle | per month | $400-1,500 |
| Additional revision round | per round | $75-300 |
Typical US ranges. Rates vary by region, experience, and job size.
Estimate your time as a baseline, then adjust for the client's size, how the work will be used, and the expected return. A logo for a regional chain justifies a higher fee than one for a hobby project, even if the hours are similar.
Presenting two or three options, such as a basic logo, a logo with brand guide, and a full identity system, gives clients a way to choose without negotiating the price down. It also anchors the middle option.
Meetings, emails, file prep, and feedback rounds often take 20-30 percent more time than the design itself. Include that overhead in your flat fee rather than treating it as free.
If the client needs the work in a shorter time than your normal schedule, add 25-50 percent and state it as a separate line so the reason is clear.
For a simple project, estimates are usually free. For complex work that needs research, mockups, or a detailed strategy, some creatives charge a paid discovery or scoping phase, often credited toward the project if the client moves forward.
Thirty days is common. Include an expiration date so you are not held to old pricing or a schedule slot that has since been filled.
Refer back to the listed deliverables and revision limits, then send a written change order with the added cost and any timeline changes before doing the extra work. Get approval in writing, even by email.
A signed estimate that includes scope, payment terms, and rights can serve as a basic agreement for small jobs. For larger or higher-risk projects, a separate contract is safer and can be reviewed by a lawyer.
Use the Creative Services invoice template to bill the client, or convert this estimate once it's approved.
Creative Services invoice template