What Items Should You Include in a Graphic Design Invoice?

In order to create a professional invoice, it's important to familiarise yourself with the different types of invoice payment terms. By understanding these terms, you will ensure the conditions and costs of your services are being met.

When creating your graphic design invoice, you should include: 

• Your company name, address, phone number, and email at the top
• Your client’s name, company position, and company address
• The date and number of the invoice alongside the job code or project title
• A description of the service provided, alongside dates worked
• Any discounts you’ve applied, such as a negotiated fee for a large volume of work
• Any applied taxes, such as the goods and services tax or harmonized sales tax
• The total charge 

If you’re doing business in British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, or Quebec, your invoice should also include a line for a provincial sales tax. Check the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) website to see whether you qualify for a small supplier exemption.

How Much Do Graphic Designers Make in Canada and How Much Should You Charge?

If you are wondering how much do graphic designers make in Canada – the answer to that question varies. Always negotiate and agree upon the fee with your client before beginning work, so you both have clear expectations of the total cost involved. When you put together your proposal for your client, think carefully about the time and skills involved in undertaking the work, and charge accordingly. Use your networking skills to find out what fellow designers charge for similar work to ensure you’re not pitching too high or underselling yourself. Remember to factor in additional costs, such as travel expenses or royalty fees for using images. 

Your options include charging an hourly, daily, or per-project fee, depending on the nature of the work. Using Indeed as a guide, the average hourly rate for a graphic designer in Canada in 2022 is $21.79 per hour. A senior graphic designer’s average rate will be around $40 an hour as they have the experience to charge considerably more. Specialist skills such as UI/UX design, experience working with top brands, or working in a niche market can also allow you to charge more.

How to Ensure You Get Paid

At the foot of your invoice, specify how and when you expect to be paid. To facilitate prompt payment, include your bank details, and be ready to accept as many payment methods as possible so your clients can choose their preferred method. It’s good practice to request payment within 30 days rather than payment upon receipt.

QuickBooks Invoicing software has a Pay Now button attached directly to your invoice.This will make it easier for clients to make payments using their credit card without any hassle or complications. You will also be notified when a client reviews and pays their invoice fees, so you can ensure you are always getting paid on time. 

If you have a larger project, and want to implement more palatable payment instalments for your clients (rather than charging them one lump sum) you can simplify the process by setting up automatic invoices. This way you can get paid as you work on the project without worrying about constantly needing to send the invoice. Just set up the schedule and forget about it. 

When to Send Your Graphic Design Invoice

Always invoice promptly and use email. For a short-term or one-off project, expect to send your invoice when the work is complete. For a longer-term project, it’s acceptable to send invoices in phases as you complete each stage. Set up automatic reminder emails to chase up clients who miss the payment due date. Good organization and automating the invoice process reduces the time you spend on administrative chores, freeing you up to be creative.

When you use a customized free invoice template, you can create great-looking graphic design invoices that show your customers all the information they need to pay you promptly. Use QuickBooks for your invoicing to track and receive payments with ease.