A design agency sends a proposal or estimate after an intro call or discovery questionnaire and before any creative work starts. Clients often compare several agencies, looking at total price, number of concepts, timeline, and what is included in the deliverables. A clear estimate sets expectations for revisions, ownership, and the client's responsibilities.
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 primary logo, secondary marks, and AI, EPS, PNG, and PDF files prevents arguments about what was included.
Revisions are the biggest source of scope creep. State the count and the hourly rate for additional rounds.
Tie your schedule to timely feedback, and say what happens to the schedule if responses are late.
Specify who supplies copy, photography, and product images. Missing content is a common cause of delays and added costs.
Fonts, stock, printing, plugins, hosting, and developer fees should be listed as separate costs, with who pays and any markup.
State that rights transfer on full payment and whether you keep portfolio rights.
Prices and availability change, so set a validity window, such as 30 days, and show deposit and milestone amounts.
| Service | Priced | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Blended agency rate (design and strategy) | per hour | $95-200 |
| Logo and brand identity package | flat fee | $3,000-15,000 |
| Website design and build (small business, 5-10 pages) | flat fee | $5,000-20,000 |
| Packaging design (per product line, concept to print-ready) | flat fee | $2,500-10,000 |
| Brochure, catalog, or print collateral design | per page | $75-250 |
| Social media template system | flat fee | $1,000-4,000 |
| Monthly design retainer | per month | $1,500-8,000 |
| Project management and client communication | per hour | $65-125 |
Typical US ranges. Rates vary by region, experience, and job size.
Estimate hours by phase, including meetings, revisions, and project management, and multiply by your blended rate. Present the total as a flat fee so the client compares outcomes, not hours.
Present two or three packages, such as a logo only, a logo with brand guidelines, or a full identity with collateral. Tiers help clients choose without pushing you to discount.
Emails, calls, and file organization take real time on every project. Include 10-20 percent for it rather than absorbing it.
List extras like social templates, a pitch deck, or additional pages as line items. Clients can add them later at the quoted price.
A short intro call and a standard proposal are usually free. For complex projects that need audits, research, or detailed scoping, many agencies charge a paid discovery phase that is credited toward the project if the client proceeds.
Reduce scope instead of the rate. Remove deliverables, cut the number of concepts, or phase the project. This keeps your hourly value intact and the client sees what the lower price covers.
Fifteen to thirty days is typical. Design work depends on your schedule, so a validity date protects you from a client accepting months later at an old price.
Use a written change order that states the added work, cost, and any timeline impact. The client approves it before you start, and the amount is added to the next invoice.
Use the Design Agency invoice template to bill the client, or convert this estimate once it's approved.
Design Agency invoice template