What to include in your costs as a illustrator
- Drawing tablet or display, stylus and a capable computer
- Illustration software and brushes
- Art supplies for traditional work and scanning
- Portfolio site and print samples
- Platform and marketplace fees
How freelance illustrators usually price their work
Illustrators usually charge a creation fee plus a usage licence: the price depends on where the artwork will appear, for how long, and whether the client wants exclusive rights. A spot illustration for a blog and the same image on packaging are priced very differently.
Tip: Your hourly floor covers the time to make the work; licensing is extra value on top. Never sell full copyright for the price of the creation fee alone.
How the calculation works
Your rate = (profit needed for your take-home after tax + business expenses) × (1 + buffer) ÷ billable hours. Tax is estimated with your country's 2026 rules (US, UK, Canada, Australia) or a rate you enter. Billable hours are your working weeks × hours per week × the share of time you can actually bill. More about the method →
Worked example
A US-based illustrator who wants $75,000 a year after tax, with $5,000 of business costs, 40-hour weeks, 6 weeks off and 55% billable time:
- Profit needed: about $101,644 (about $26,644 of federal, self-employment and 4% state tax).
- Revenue needed with a 10% buffer: ($101,644 + $5,000) × 1.10 ≈ $117,309.
- Billable hours: 46 × 40 × 55% = 1,012.
- Minimum rate: $115.92 an hour, or $927 for an 8-hour day.
Change the country, costs or hours above to get your own number.