*URGENT* How much should I charge for graphic design services?

Question

I have been asked to submit a bid for a major contract by the end of this weekend. The email was sent to a number of large companies...and me! This is an amazing opportunity for me to pick up some evening and weekend work. I am a new graphic designer and I want to charge a flat rate for projects, not by the hour. I don't want to bid too low or too high but really have no idea what to charge. The company needs flyers, posters, manuals, brochures and ads on an ongoing basis. What flat rate should I charge for the initial design AND what should I charge for editing the content of their monthly newsletter, for example. Thanks!!!!

I just want to clarify that the only service I am providing is the design. The company is going to do the printing through their in-house print shop so I won't be spending any money on paper, ink etc. I create the design for them, PDF it and email it to them. I want to do a flat rate because even though I have great design skills, I am pretty slow so how can I penalize them with an hourly charge? I am confident that I will get faster with more experience so in a few years, my "per hour rate" is going to increase even though I'm charging a flat rate. I have tried being sneaky and getting quotes from "real" design shops. They all charge by the hour and want to see the project before they quote on it. Thanks for responding so far.

Hi. Me again. I only do print design, not web design.

Thanks Charlie D for your advice. I will have to give this whole thing some thought. It will be very difficult to raise my price significantly if I've been working for them at a very low rate.

Answer 1

Even though you don't want to charge by the hour, you need to remember that it is your TIME that you are selling. You have to estimate the length of time the project will take you (or SHOULD take you).
Many clients are reluctant to agree to an hourly basis anyway, without a clear range of pricing.

I would recommend that you estimate the time this project SHOULD take (I agree, if you're slow, don't nail the client for it) and multiply it by an hourly rate ($75-$100?), and use that figure as a flat rate. Also take into account- do you have a CLEAR idea of the clients expectations? Nothing is more frustrating than doing revision after revision, in response to a client's "I just don't like it".
DO NOT try to under bid this or any other project in the hopes of getting a foot in the door and raising your price later- they will take advantage of you and bleed you dry.
Give them excellent work- and charge accordingly.

Answer 2

To add additional overall value to your contributions to this company as a "designer", I would encourage you to learn everything you can about "effective marketing" so that you can design material that does more than just look pretty in the hands of customers.

You want to have the clout to say...well I did it this way because...or I added this, or worded it this way because it will pull a response better.

You become more to them than just an outsourced designer

good luck in your great new adventure

Answer 3

dude you will get screwed by a flat rate, charge em up the a, charge for the paper, ink, your time, your ideas, your input, your editing, etc. your gas, your trip to kinkos, ITEMIZE ITEMIZE ITEMIZE

Answer 4

Try some searches of your competition in your area.
Here's a few examples which might be relevant.