Free Graphic Designer Credit Note Template
Issue credit notes for design project cancellations, scope reductions, and overpayments. Free PDF, no login required.
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When does a graphic designer issue a credit note?
A graphic designer issues a credit note when an invoiced package is downgraded or a retainer goes unused, such as concepts dropped from a brand package or hours not worked. The note references the original invoice, names the work credited, gives the reason, and lowers the balance owed.
Typical line items
- Original invoice number and date
- Brand package downgrade, unused concepts reversed
- Unused retainer hours credit, March
- Reason for the credit
- Credited amount
- Adjusted balance due
- Tax adjusted accordingly
How the work is charged
Credit dropped concepts at the difference between the original package and the lower tier. Unused retainer hours are credited at the agreed hourly rate for the hours not delivered.
Payment terms and deposits
Carry the credit forward against the next invoice or refund it to the original payment method, quoting the original invoice number. Show the revised balance so the client can reconcile.
Tax and compliance
If the original invoice charged sales tax or VAT, the credit note generally reverses that tax in proportion to the amount credited. Confirm the rules that apply to you.
Frequently asked questions
My client paid for a full brand package but only approved the logo. Can I issue a credit note for the rest?
Yes. Issue a credit note listing each deliverable that will not be produced, with the corresponding rate you had in the original invoice. Reference the original invoice number and note the reason. This gives both of you a clean record and avoids a disputed balance sitting on the books.
Do I need to issue a credit note if I just reduce the next invoice amount?
Technically you can offset it informally, but issuing a proper credit note is cleaner for both parties. It makes the original invoice balance clear and gives your client a document to match against their purchase order or accounts payable record. Most accountants prefer the formal credit note approach.
What invoice number should I put on a credit note?
Credit notes get their own sequential number in your numbering system, for example CN-001. They also reference the original invoice number they are correcting, such as 'Re: Invoice INV-047'. Some designers prefix with CN, others use a separate series entirely. Consistency matters more than the format you choose.
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Read the complete credit note guide to see when to issue one and how it adjusts an invoice already sent.
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