What to include in your costs as a graphic designer
- Design software subscriptions (Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, Affinity)
- Font licences and stock imagery
- A capable computer, calibrated monitor and backups
- Portfolio website and hosting
- Professional liability insurance
How graphic designers usually price their work
Most clients buy outcomes — a logo, a brand kit, a set of social templates — so designers usually quote per project or in packages. Use your hourly floor from this calculator to price each package, and state how many revision rounds are included.
Tip: Revisions are where design projects lose money. Two included rounds is a common standard; bill any additional rounds at your hourly rate.
How the calculation works
Your rate = (target take-home ÷ (1 − tax rate) + business expenses) × (1 + buffer) ÷ billable hours. Billable hours are your working weeks × hours per week × the share of time you can actually bill. More about the method →