How to Price Your Creativity and Get Paid What You Deserve
Pricing your creativity nowadays is almost as controversial as the new Jaguar logo.
Like logo design trends, the value of creative work can cause a lot of confusion and debates—especially when setting your rates as a designer.
Whether you're a freelancer or part of a more prominent design agency, determining the right price for your creativity and design services is an art.
You need to blend your skills and experience and monitor the market demand. It's not just about what you charge; it's about understanding your worth and value, communicating that value, and making sure you and your clients feel good about that value exchange.
This article will explore strategies to help you confidently price your creativity to earn what you deserve and build strong, lasting client relationships.
- Understanding your worth is crucial for setting fair creative prices.
- Hourly, per-project, and flat-rate pricing are common strategies to consider.
- Research your competition to help determine an appropriate price range.
- Charge based on the value you provide, not just hours worked.
- Effective time tracking can enhance your pricing strategy and profitability.
The 3 Most Popular Pricing Strategies

There are several types of pricing strategies you need to be aware of. The most common ones are:
- Hourly pricing
- Per-project pricing
- Flat-rate pricing.
Let's go through each of them.
Hourly rate pricing
Most designers choose hourly pricing because it's straightforward, and clients are used to it.
With this pricing method, a client pays you for the hours worked. You get paid for your time, not your creativity, expertise, or the value of work.
And that may seem fair on paper, but in reality, you get punished for your efficiency: the less time it takes to do the work, the less you get paid.
Need an example? A designer might take 14 hours to design a logo that you can complete in less than 8. You'll get paid less because you are more skilled and can deliver the output faster. Ouch.
What's even more mind-boggling is that clients usually don't focus on how many hours it will take you to deliver a design but on your hourly rate, putting you against another designer's lower hourly rate. Moreover, clients are ready to discuss your rate, hoping to lower it, no matter how skilled or experienced you are. They'll negotiate based on their budget, so standing firm in your professional value is essential.
That's why hourly pricing might not be the most effective strategy. An hourly rate should also account for more than just your time; it must include taxes, health insurance, retirement contributions, software tools, and other business expenses. That's why calculating an hourly rate can quickly become complex.
Per-project pricing
Per-project pricing means exactly how it sounds: you charge a fixed price for each design or project, regardless of the time and other resources required to complete it.
This pricing model is also popular among clients because it can predict costs.
For you, this pricing strategy needs to be clarified regarding your pricing, the project's scope, and the complexity of the work. Should you charge the same amount for a logo that takes you 28 hours to design and one that takes you 5 hours to complete? Probably not, but that's what per-project pricing entails.
Not to mention, since you have a fixed pricing for your design, it gives clients the freedom to request as many changes and tweaks as they feel suitable. And you can't give away your time for free.
Flat rate pricing
Flat rate pricing means you charge a fixed, predetermined amount for a project, regardless of the time or effort you put in to complete it.
The flat rate is agreed upon upfront, based on the scope of work, and remains the same throughout the project's duration.
Flat rate pricing is a good strategy because it provides your clients with transparent, predictable costs, and you'll know how much money will be transferred to your bank account.
However, if the project takes more time or resources than initially expected, you will lose time AND money.
Pro tip: You can also introduce package pricing as a form of flat rate pricing. Basic, Premium, and Deluxe packages should work just fine. Mention what the clients get for each package and explain that you will not exceed a specific package scope. For example, if you are a graphic designer, you can make a Premium brand identity package that includes a logo, social media templates, colour palettes, typography guidelines, and business card designs.
How to set a price point quickly

No matter which pricing strategy you choose, the standard issue is that you risk losing your time and money.
That's why you need to know how you spend your time and hold yourself accountable. It's also beneficial to know how much time you need to complete projects of various scopes to estimate better the time required for future projects.
You can do this by tracking your time on tasks.
We suggest you use a tool like Memtime for automatic time tracking, as it's built for designers. Your time spent using tools like Figma, Adobe Illustrator, Sketch or Photoshop will be captured down to the minute.
You can then revisit your captured activities and decide which counts as billable and which doesn't.
For example, suppose you spend hours searching for logo inspiration on Dribbble and Behance. In that case, you can count that time as “research” and charge for it, dismiss it, say it's part of the creative process, and include it in the overall project fee.
Besides introducing a time-tracking app, here are some tips to help you set a fair price point:
- Check out how much your competition charges for the same amount of work. This step should be for your reference when determining a price range. Please remember that just because you have the same experience, knowledge, and skills as someone else doesn't mean you can produce the same work quality.
- Charge the price you feel content with. You should never feel like you have to lower your prices and reduce your quality of work so you can meet a client's budget.
- Consider the value you're providing. Instead of just basing your price on hours worked or competition rates and your costs, think about the value your work brings to the client. Clients are often willing to pay more for work that will deliver results or contribute to their success measurably.
Wrapping up
Pricing your creative work can be tricky, but you can set rates that reflect your value with the right strategies.
Whether you choose hourly, per-project, or flat-rate pricing, it's important to understand that your time, expertise, and the results you deliver are all factors you must consider.
By researching the market, tracking your time effectively, and considering the value you provide to clients, you can set a price point that aligns with your financial goals and the quality of work you offer.
Remember, pricing is not just about numbers; it's about communicating the worth of your creativity and ensuring you and your clients feel satisfied with the value exchanged. Pricing should reflect the quality and expertise you bring to a project. Make sure to value the skills that make your work unique.
FAQs to Price Your Creativity Effectively
How do I avoid underpricing my creative work?
Don't compete on price. Compete on value. Make your offer so good that people feel stupid saying no. Focus on delivering $10,000 of value for $1,000. This creates a win-win: you get 90% margins, they get 10x value.
Should I start with low prices to attract clients?
Not necessarily. Low prices attract price shoppers rather than value-seekers. Instead, be the high-value leader. Prices are higher than competitors, making people pause and think, “There's something different here.”
How can I justify charging more for my creative services?
Stack value. Add bonuses, guarantees, and extras that cost you little but mean a lot to clients. Make your offer worth way more than you're charging.
What's the best pricing strategy for creative work?
Use value-based pricing. Set your price based on what customers believe your work is worth, not your costs. This lets you capture more value and communicate your work's actual benefits.
How do I handle clients who say my prices are too high?
Reframe the conversation. Don't defend your price. Instead, show how your work solves their problem or achieves their goal. Make it about the value they get, not the price they pay.
Should I list my prices publicly or keep them private?
Test both. Public pricing can filter out tyre kickers. Private pricing lets you tailor offers. Whichever you choose, focus on communicating value, not justifying cost.
How often should I raise my prices?
Raise prices when you're consistently delivering excellent results. Each price increase should come with added value. This shows growth and prevents you from plateauing.
What's the most prominent mistake creatives make with pricing?
They price based on time or cost, not value. Your creativity solves problems and creates opportunities. Price is based on that impact, not on how long it takes you.
How do I overcome the fear of charging higher prices?
Remember: people want to pay more if you give them a reason. High prices can signal quality and expertise. Your job is to deliver so much value that your price seems like a bargain.
Is it okay to have different prices for different clients?
Yes. Value is subjective. A logo for a small local business isn't worth the same as one for a global brand. Price is based on the value and impact of each specific client.
How can I use pricing to position myself as a premium creative?
Price higher than most competitors. Then, over-deliver on value. This creates a “price-quality” association in clients' minds. They'll see you as the best, not the cheapest.
What's one quick way to increase perceived value without changing my price?
Improve your messaging. Use simple, straightforward language to explain the benefits and results of your work. Make it easy for clients to see why you're worth every penny.