Milestone payments

Milestone payments

Break your project payment into parts: an upfront fee, progress payments, and then a final payment at the delivery of the completed work.

“The up front payment is a good faith strategy on behalf of the client, and it implies that they are committed to working with you and trust you. Like other professionals, such as architects and lawyers, you are hired based on your experience.”

Graphic artists with five or more years of experience were surveyed by the Graphic Artists Guild in 2024. They found that 59 percent requested deposits between 20 and 50 percent before beginning the project.

As you move through your agreed upon deliverables, keep the client updated. Show them they are paying not only for the deliverables themself, but also for your expertise, your consultation, and your direction in their marketing.

Some larger corporations may require a purchase order with the invoice. Always read their terms and policies carefully when writing contracts or payment requests.

Do not release usage rights for any design work until you have received full payment.

Revisions, add ons, and changes

Spend time researching bid culture. Many freelance artists who work on platforms like Fiverr or Upwork set their pricing in packages. These packages scale based on deliverables, services, and add ons. The add ons may include tangible items, added time, coordination, or modifications.

Late and cancellation fees

Consider offering a discount for early payment.

Before payment is due, call the client to remind them of the upcoming date. After you send the invoice, follow up to confirm that they received it, and ask whether there is anything you can do to make the payment process easier.

If you do not receive full payment, you may need to consider one of the following: filing through small claims court or using a collection agency. Make sure the client was clearly informed about the terms of the agreement. If non payment occurred because of your own error, accept the loss and adjust your processes in the future so your expectations for payment and delivery are always clear.

Millman, Debbie. Graphic Artists Guild Handbook, 17th Edition: Pricing and Ethical Guidelines. Graphic Artists Guild, 2025.