Design Rate Card Template
A plug-and-play rate card template to price design work clearly—services, roles, tiers, and usage notes that clients actually understand. Stop reinventing your pricing for every proposal.
What You'll Get
- Editable Google Sheet — Customize services, roles, and rates for your agency
- Client-ready PDF export — Professional format you can send directly
- Three pricing models — Hourly, project-based, and retainer examples
- Role-based rate tiers — Junior, mid, senior, and specialist rates
- Usage notes section — Clear terms that prevent scope confusion
Download the Template
Get instant access to the rate card template in PDF format.
No email required. Free to use and share.
How to Use This Template
- 1
Make a copy
Open the Google Sheet and go to File → Make a copy. This creates your own editable version.
- 2
Customize your services
Replace the example services with your actual offerings. Add or remove rows as needed.
- 3
Set your rates
Update hourly rates for each role tier. The template auto-calculates day rates and retainer pricing.
- 4
Update terms and notes
Customize the usage notes section with your payment terms, revision policies, and scope boundaries.
- 5
Export and send
Download as PDF for a clean, professional document you can include in proposals or send standalone.
Three Pricing Models (and When to Use Each)
Hourly Pricing
Best for: Undefined scope, ongoing support, or when the client needs flexibility.
Senior Designer: $150/hr | Mid Designer: $110/hr | Junior: $75/hr
Pro tip: Always set a minimum engagement (e.g., 4-hour minimum) to protect against fragmented requests.
Project-Based Pricing
Best for: Well-defined deliverables with clear scope. Clients like knowing the total cost upfront.
Landing Page: $3,500 | Brand Identity: $8,000-15,000 | Pitch Deck: $2,500
Pro tip: Include revision rounds in the price (e.g., "includes 2 rounds of revisions") to set boundaries.
Retainer Pricing
Best for: Ongoing relationships, predictable revenue, and clients who need regular design support.
20 hrs/month: $2,800 | 40 hrs/month: $5,200 | 60 hrs/month: $7,200
Pro tip: Offer a 10-15% discount vs hourly to incentivize commitment. Include rollover rules (or don't).
Example: Filled Rate Card
Here's what a completed rate card looks like for a mid-sized design agency:
| Service | Hourly | Day Rate | Project Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creative Direction | $200 | $1,600 | — |
| Senior Designer | $150 | $1,200 | — |
| Brand Identity Package | — | — | $8,000-15,000 |
| Landing Page Design | — | — | $3,000-5,000 |
| Monthly Retainer (20hrs) | $140/hr eff. | — | $2,800/mo |
How to Present This Without Negotiation Spiraling
The rate card isn't meant to be negotiated line-by-line. Here's how to position it:
- Send it before the proposal — "Before I scope this project, here's our standard rate card so you have context on our pricing."
- Frame it as a reference document — "These are our standard rates. For your specific project, I'll put together a custom proposal based on scope."
- Use ranges, not fixed prices — Ranges give you negotiation room without appearing arbitrary.
- Include the "why" — A short note explaining your rate tiers (experience, speed, quality) prevents questions.
If they push back: "I understand budget is a consideration. Let me see what we can adjust in scope to fit your range—rather than reducing rates, we can reduce deliverables or phases."
Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
Pricing too low "to get the client"
Low rates attract clients who value cheap over good. You'll work harder for less and struggle to raise prices later.
Not updating rates annually
Review and adjust your rate card every 6-12 months. If you're booked solid, you're probably undercharging.
Forgetting terms and conditions
Include payment terms (50% upfront), revision limits, rush fees, and kill fee policies. Protects you when things get messy.
Sending without context
A rate card alone can cause sticker shock. Always accompany it with a brief explanation or send it after an initial conversation.
How to Run This in Corcava
Once you've set your rates, here's how to operationalize them in Corcava:
- Set hourly rates per team member — Each person can have their own rate for accurate project costing
- Track time against projects — See actual vs estimated to refine future pricing
- Generate invoices from tracked time — Billable hours flow directly into invoices
- Share rate cards via client portal — Attach documents to client records for easy reference
Maps to: Time Tracking, Invoicing, Client Portal features
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I show my rate card to every client?
Not necessarily. For large projects, you may want to create custom proposals. The rate card works best as a reference for ongoing relationships, smaller projects, or when a client asks "what do you charge?" early in the conversation.
How often should I update my rates?
Review annually at minimum. If you're consistently booked 3+ months out, you're undercharging. Raise rates 10-20% for new clients—existing clients can stay at current rates until renewal.
What if a client can't afford my rates?
Adjust scope, not rates. Offer a smaller deliverable, fewer revisions, or a phased approach. Discounting rates trains clients to negotiate and devalues your work.
Should I include rush fees?
Yes. A typical rush fee is 25-50% on top of standard rates for projects with turnaround under 48-72 hours. This protects your schedule and compensates for disruption.
How do I handle different rates for different clients?
It's normal to have different rates for different client segments (enterprise vs startup, retainer vs one-off). Just be consistent within each segment and document your reasoning.
What's the difference between a rate card and a proposal?
A rate card is a reference document showing your standard pricing. A proposal is project-specific and includes scope, timeline, deliverables, and a custom price. The rate card informs the proposal but isn't the proposal itself.
Related Templates
Billable Utilization Calculator
Understand your capacity and what rates you need to hit your revenue targets.
Retainer Tracker Template
Track retainer hours, renewals, and scope to keep recurring revenue healthy.
Change Request Form
Handle scope changes professionally without awkward conversations.
Scope of Work Template
Define deliverables clearly so your rate card pricing makes sense.
Creative Brief Template
Get the inputs you need to price accurately.