While artists may be mainly concerned with their creative work, it is equally critical that they consider the commercial aspects of their work to ensure a stable income. One of the essential parts of running a successful artistic side gig is sending customers accurate and timely billing specific to your trade, such as an interior design or graphic design invoice.
What Is Included in a Freelance Artist’s Invoice?
When you invoice a client for freelance work, you must include the following details:
Contact information
Include your name, address, phone number, and email. Use your logo (if you have one) to make your invoice look more professional. You should also provide your customer’s company name, address, and contact details.
Unique Invoice Number
Whether you use accounting software that generates invoices automatically or create invoices by hand, you need to keep detailed records of your bills. Assigning a unique invoice number helps you quickly locate invoices for bookkeeping purposes or if your client has inquiries about past transactions.
Date of Issue and Deadline
It is critical to include the invoice issue date because it marks the start of the payment terms. If there are any problems with the invoice numbering, you may always use the date on the invoice to prevent any confusion or disparities. Don’t forget to provide the payment due date–this is subject to the specifics of your agreement or contract with the client.
Services Rendered, Description, and Total Amount Due
An itemized list of the goods and services you delivered is the most crucial part of the invoice. Separate each line item with a detailed explanation of the service or product, the number of units sold, the unit price, and the total amount owed.
Add a line to your invoice for any extra costs, discounts, or late payment penalties, if applicable.
Payment Methods
To facilitate payment, provide your customers with several possible payment methods and the information they need to send money to you.
How do graphic designers accept payments? Many options exist, but you should choose the most convenient, secure, and reliable options. Consider methods that charge the lowest fees.
If you’re willing to take checks, include a valid mailing address. If your company uses PayPal or accepts bank transactions, mention the email address linked with the account. You can also accept credit card payments by using payment processing software; however, this type of transaction usually incurs a substantial fee.
Invoicing Tips to Keep in Mind
When you start to send out invoices, here are a few considerations to remember:
Establish Clear Terms
Avoid unnecessary disagreements by clearly outlining the scope of the job, the price, and the payment schedule at the outset of the project. This might be difficult if you don’t charge a fixed fee or if your customers have changing needs or requirements.
Send Timely Invoices
As a self-employed professional, you need to find a happy medium between creative activity and admin tasks like invoicing. If you’re working on many projects for different clients at the same time, keeping track of who’s paid and who hasn’t could get confusing.
Follow-up on Late Payments
Inevitably there will be some customers who are slow to pay, hurting your business’s cash flow. You need to follow up on invoices that haven’t been paid on time and perhaps implement late fees or other penalties.
Include Taxes
Because you’re self-employed, you have to figure out how to handle taxes and be familiar with local tax laws.
Ensure Legal Compliance
Local laws may require that invoices include specific information or be written a certain way. You should be familiar with these rules to make sure your bills are compliant.
Invoice Software for Creatives
Managing cash flow requires a reliable method of recording payments. You can benefit from online invoicing software that allows you to efficiently prepare and send bills to customers and track their progress.
Invoicing can be overwhelming. Invoice Ninja is an online invoicing software that can help you overcome all these challenges. If you want to be taken seriously as a freelance artist, make sure your invoices are accurate and look professional. Get started by registering for free today!