Free Animator Invoice Template & Generator
Create detailed animation invoices for motion graphics, 2D/3D animation, and explainer videos. Itemize by scene, second, or project phase.
Currency
Amount already received from client
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How does an animator bill for a project?
Animation is priced by the finished piece, so quote the main deliverable and break out the stages: concept, storyboard, animation, and sound. List revision limits and any licensed music. A staged breakdown supports milestone payments on longer productions and keeps scope visible.
Your invoice needs your business details and the client's company name with the right contact person, usually the producer or project manager who hired you. Break down what you actually delivered: number of seconds animated, how many revision rounds, style frames if those were separate, and rigging work if applicable. Animation gets billed by complexity and time, so write descriptions that remind them what they approved. Include your rate structure, the project timeline, and reference the original quote or contract number. Accountants will ask for a purchase order number if it is an agency or studio, so get that before you send the invoice.
Most animation work runs on a deposit structure. Expect to ask for 30-50% upfront before you start, another payment at the midpoint or after initial delivery, and the final chunk on approval. Rush jobs or new clients sometimes justify full payment upfront. Studios typically pay on Net 30 terms, but smaller clients often pay immediately if you send a regular PayPal or Stripe invoice.
Always send a low-res watermarked version for final review and only deliver the clean high-res files after payment clears. Clients can disappear once they have the finals, and animation files are your only real leverage.
Typical line items
- Animation production (per project or per second)
- Concept art and character design
- Storyboard and animatic
- Sound design and voice direction
- Music licensing
- Source or project file delivery
- Revision rounds
- Project deposit
How the work is charged
Animators generally charge a project fee scoped by length, style, and complexity, sometimes broken into per-second or per-scene rates. Concept, storyboard, and sound stages may be priced as separate phases.
Payment terms and deposits
Longer projects are commonly split into milestone payments tied to storyboard, draft, and final delivery, with a deposit at the start. Final files and source assets are often released only after full payment.
Tax and compliance
If you are registered for sales tax or VAT, show it as a separate line with your registration number. Licensed music or stock you pass through may be taxed like the rest of the work, and rules vary by country, so confirm what applies to you.
Frequently asked questions
How do animators typically price projects?
Animation is usually priced per finished second ($100–$500 for 2D, $200–$1,000+ for 3D) or as a flat project fee. Explainer videos typically run $3,000–$15,000 for 60–90 seconds.
What should an animation invoice include?
List pre-production (scripting, storyboarding), production (animation, rendering), and post-production (sound, revisions) as separate line items. Include deliverable specs and revision counts.
Should animators charge deposits?
Yes. Most animators require 30–50% upfront before starting work. Invoice the deposit separately, then bill the remainder upon delivery or in milestones for longer projects.
Related invoice templates
Read the complete invoicing guide to see how to fill out, number, and send an invoice that gets paid.
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