Free Illustrator Invoice Template & Generator
Generate professional illustration invoices for editorial, children's books, character design, and commissioned artwork. Free PDF download.
Currency
Amount already received from client
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What should an illustrator include on an invoice?
Quote the illustration itself, then list usage rights, revisions, and any character or layout extras on their own lines. Usage matters because the same drawing costs more for wide commercial use than for personal use. Spelling out rights prevents misunderstandings after delivery.
Your invoice needs your business name or your name as a sole proprietor, the date, a unique invoice number, and your client's company details. Include a clear description of what you delivered: "Editorial illustration for March issue cover" works better than "design work." List your rate structure, whether that is per project, per illustration, or day rate. Add your payment terms and your bank details or PayPal address. Tax authorities and corporate accounting departments will reject invoices missing tax ID numbers, so include yours if you have one.
Most illustrators ask for 50% upfront before starting work, then bill the remaining 50% on delivery of final files. For longer projects, you can break it into thirds: deposit, midpoint approval, and completion. Set your payment terms at Net 15 or Net 30. Bigger companies often default to Net 60 regardless of what you write, but starting shorter gives you room to follow up sooner.
Send your invoice the moment you deliver finals, not days later. Attach a low-res watermarked version and send the clean files only after payment clears. This one habit prevents the "I will pay you next week" cycle that stretches into months.
Typical line items
- Custom illustration (per piece)
- Character design or turnaround sheet
- Usage or licensing rights
- Sketch or concept phase
- Revision rounds (included and extra)
- Source or layered file delivery
- Rush fee
- Project deposit
How the work is charged
Illustrators usually charge per piece, with the price shaped by complexity and how the client will use the work. Commercial and exclusive usage often carries a separate licensing fee on top of the artwork.
Payment terms and deposits
A deposit commonly secures the commission, with the balance due on delivery or split across sketch and final stages. Many illustrators keep the rights and high-resolution files until payment clears, and limit included revisions.
Tax and compliance
If you are registered for sales tax or VAT, show it as a separate line with your registration number. Licensing fees may be taxed like the artwork itself, and rules vary by country, so confirm what applies to you.
Frequently asked questions
How do illustrators price their work?
Pricing depends on complexity, usage rights, and market. Editorial illustrations run $200–$1,000, children's book pages $200–$600, and character design $300–$2,000. Always factor in licensing.
Should illustrators include licensing terms on invoices?
Absolutely. Specify whether you're granting one-time use, exclusive rights, or full buyout. Different usage rights command different prices. Keep copyright unless explicitly selling it.
How many revisions should illustrators include?
Industry standard is 2–3 rounds of revisions included in the project price. Additional rounds are typically billed at 25–50% of the original illustration fee.
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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