Pricing graphic design with a clear project scope

Who this is for

This page is for a freelance graphic designer quoting a defined campaign, document, or visual asset project.

The pricing question

Which creative outputs, adaptations, file formats, and feedback stages are actually part of this design project?

What to decide before you send the price

Ask before quoting: What deliverables are required? Where will each asset appear? Which dimensions apply? Is print production involved? Does a brand guide exist? Who provides copy? Who supplies images? Are stock assets allowed? Are editable files needed? Who approves the concept? Confirm accessibility needs, language versions, printer specifications, due dates, existing templates, image rights, adaptation count, and whether production files need third-party checks.

A design scope may include a visual direction, concept presentation, layout design, image treatment, typography, agreed size adaptations, export preparation, and final asset packaging. Assume approved copy, usable brand files, licensed client assets, and one decision-maker. Exclude copywriting, illustration, photography, animation, printing, stock licenses, font purchases, source files, extra formats, and printer liaison unless they are named deliverables. List each required delivery folder.

Offer a Production option using the existing visual system, a Campaign option with a new creative direction, and a Rollout option with additional channel adaptations. Include one concept review and one consolidated refinement round, followed by correction of production errors. New copy after layout, multiple stakeholder directions, extra sizes, replaced images, late print specifications, and requests for another concept create scope drift.

A weak scope says, "Design campaign graphics with revisions." A clear scope says, "Create one approved visual route, apply it to the named digital assets and agreed size variants, then deliver web-ready files after one consolidated concept review and one refinement round." Specify whether native files transfer. A revision adjusts the selected route; a second route or changed brief is new work.

• List every asset, dimension, language, and output format.
• Confirm who owns copy, imagery, licenses, and approvals.
• Separate concept development from routine adaptations.
• Define whether editable source files are transferred.
• Treat new formats and changed copy as scope changes.

FAQ

Pricing for other services

Useful glossary terms

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