Motion designers send estimates before any design work begins, often after a brief call or a creative brief from an agency or marketing team. Clients usually compare total price, number of revisions, turnaround time, and what is included in the final deliverables. A clear estimate also helps the client understand how a longer video or extra versions will change the cost.
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
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Invoice_1001_Client_2026-10-14.pdf
A 30-second video and a 90-second video are very different workloads, and extra cutdowns or aspect ratios add time.
Simple kinetic typography, flat 2D character animation, and 3D renders vary widely in cost, so name the style and reference examples.
Missing scripts or poorly prepared brand files cause delays and extra work, so say what the client must supply and by when.
Defining rounds at storyboard, style frame, and animation stages keeps feedback organized and limits scope creep.
Resolution, frame rate, codecs, and platforms such as broadcast, web, or social affect both the work and the render time.
Set dates for each milestone and state that delays in feedback can shift the delivery date or trigger a rush fee.
Spell out where the piece may run and whether source files are included so rights questions do not appear after delivery.
| Service | Priced | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Freelance motion design (hourly) | per hour | $50-150 |
| Freelance motion design (day rate) | per day | $400-1,000 |
| Explainer or promo video animation (2D) | per finished second | $25-100 |
| Logo animation or sting | flat fee | $300-2,500 |
| Storyboard and style frames | per frame | $75-300 |
| Social media animation package (6-10 short clips) | flat fee | $1,000-4,000 |
| 3D animation or product visualization | per finished second | $75-300 |
| Additional revision round beyond contract | per hour | $60-150 |
Typical US ranges. Rates vary by region, experience, and job size.
Break the video into scenes, estimate hours per scene, and compare to a per-second figure. If the two numbers are far apart, check your assumptions before sending.
Present a basic, standard, and premium version, such as different levels of animation detail or numbers of cutdowns. Clients often choose the middle option and it makes comparison with other bids easier.
Renders fail, files arrive late, and feedback often changes direction. Build in 10 to 20 percent for the unexpected, or state that changes beyond scope will be quoted separately.
Software costs, your schedule, and demand change. A 14 to 30 day expiration keeps you from being held to old pricing.
Flat fees work best when scope is well defined, such as a 60-second explainer with a script. Use hourly or day rates for exploratory work, ongoing edits, or when the client keeps changing direction.
Unpaid spec work is risky because the client may use your ideas without paying. Many designers charge for style frames or a short test, and credit that fee toward the project if the client moves forward.
Detailed enough that the client sees phases, deliverables, and revision limits, but not an hour-by-hour log. Listing storyboard, design, animation, sound, and delivery as separate lines is usually enough.
Yes, get written approval of the estimate or a contract and collect the deposit before starting. That protects both sides if scope or payment becomes an issue.
Use the Motion Designer invoice template to bill the client, or convert this estimate once it's approved.
Motion Designer invoice template