As a graphic designer, you’ve probably wondered: Am I charging too much? Too little? Should I bill hourly or create packages?
With so many ways to price design work, it’s easy to feel unsure. But here’s the truth: your pricing should be based on your goals and the value you deliver — not on what other designers are charging.
Whether you’re designing logos, marketing collateral, or full brand identities, your rates should reflect both your expertise and the kind of business you want to build.
Common Mistakes Graphic Designers Make When Pricing
Pricing doesn’t have to be a guessing game, but many designers fall into these traps:
- Undercharging in order to book clients, which often leads to burnout and frustration.
- Billing hourly without accounting for the value of strategy, experience, and creative thinking.
- Skipping over expenses like software subscriptions, stock imagery, fonts, or contractors.
- Not considering taxes when setting rates, leaving take-home income lower than expected.
The result? You’re busy designing but still not hitting your income goals.
What to Consider When Setting Your Rates
Instead of winging it, think about:
- Your income goals → How much do you want to take home each month after taxes?
- Your expenses → From Adobe Creative Cloud to client management tools, those subscriptions add up.
- Your workload → How many projects can you realistically handle without compromising quality?
- Your project scope → A full brand identity package is much different than a one-off flyer.
Pricing Models for Graphic Designers
Designers often choose between (or combine) these approaches:
- Hourly Rate → Useful for small tasks but doesn’t always reflect the value of your creative expertise.
- Per Project Fee → Ideal for clarity, especially on deliverables like logos, websites, or brand collateral.
- Value-Based Pricing → Charging based on the results your design delivers for the client, not just the time it takes.
- Packages → Offering structured options (like brand identity, collateral add-ons, or retainer support) makes it easier for clients to choose.
Whichever model you use, it should align with your goals and the type of clients you want to attract.
A Smarter Way to Set Your Rates
Doing the math on your own can feel overwhelming — but you don’t have to.
My free Price Your Services Calculator was created to take the stress out of pricing. 🧮 It helps you:
- Translate your income goals into sustainable rates.
- Build in expenses and taxes automatically.
- See how different client loads or package prices affect your bottom line.
👉 Download the free calculator here and finally take the guesswork out of setting your rates.
Final Thoughts
Your designs do more than look good — they help businesses connect, communicate, and grow. That kind of impact deserves pricing that supports you too.
When you charge confidently, you not only attract clients who respect your work but also build a business that’s sustainable long term.
👉 Grab the Price Your Services Calculator today and start pricing your design services with confidence.
