A common decision to make when starting a graphic design project is whether to charge a flat rate or an hourly rate. There are pros and cons to each method, as well as ways to work toward a fair deal for both you and your client.
Pricing Design Work & Creativity – Stop Charging Hourly Rates
In general, it’s best to charge an hourly rate for work that is considered an update, such as changes to a website after its launch or revisions to an existing print design for additional use. It can also be the right choice for a small project, especially one that is particularly difficult to estimate.
It is common to charge a flat rate for large design projects and for repeat projects where the designer can accurately estimate the hours. Often a flat rate is based on an estimate of the number of hours a project will take, multiplied by the designer's hourly rate.
In other cases, the value of the completed project is higher than just your estimated hours. For example, logo designs are often valued highly, regardless of the actual hours worked, because of their frequent use and visibility. Other factors that can affect the price include the number of copies printed or sold, and whether the piece will be used once or multiple times.
