Creative Invoice Template

Free Art Director Invoice Template

Invoice clients for creative direction, campaign management, and visual strategy consulting. Get paid on time with Tidybill.

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What is an Art Director invoice?

An art director invoice covers fees for overseeing the visual creative output of a project, campaign, or brand. Art directors typically work at a strategic and management level, briefing and directing designers, photographers, and other creatives rather than producing all assets themselves. This work involves concepting, creative briefing, shoot direction, review and approval of creative outputs, and ensuring visual consistency across a campaign or project. Because art direction is often delivered on a day-rate or project fee basis rather than per deliverable, invoices should clearly describe the project phases worked on and the number of days or hours invested. Art directors working with advertising agencies, publishers, or brands may also bill for travel, accommodation, and production expenses.

What to include on an Art Director invoice

Common art director invoice line items

Service Typical Rate Unit
Art Direction (day rate) £400 - £1,200 per day
Pre-Production & Creative Brief £300 - £800 per project
Photo/Video Shoot Direction £600 - £1,500 per day
Campaign Concept Development £800 - £2,500 per project
Travel & Accommodation At cost per project
Post-Production Creative Oversight £400 - £900 per day

How to invoice as an art director

Art directors commonly invoice on a day-rate or project-fee basis. For campaign work, invoice in stages: pre-production, production (shoot days), and post-production oversight as separate line items. This provides transparency and makes it easy for agency or brand clients to reconcile against their production budget. Expenses should be invoiced at cost with receipts available. Net 30 is standard in advertising and production; negotiate Net 14 for smaller or independent clients. Some art directors include a 'prep day' rate at 50-75% of their full day rate for pre-shoot planning.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a standard art director day rate?
Art director day rates in the UK typically range from £400-£1,200 depending on experience and sector. Senior art directors with established agency or brand experience command higher rates. Commercial advertising and TV production work generally pays more than editorial or brand-side work.
Do I charge the same rate for prep days and shoot days?
Many art directors charge a reduced rate (50-75%) for prep, travel, and wrap days, with their full rate applying to active shoot or production days. Be explicit about your rate structure in your quote and invoice. Some clients negotiate a single day rate for all days on a production.
How do I invoice for travel and expenses?
Invoice expenses at actual cost as a separate line item. For travel, include mileage at the approved HMRC rate (45p per mile for the first 10,000 miles) or actuals for train/flights. Accommodation and meals can be invoiced at cost with receipts available on request. Agree on an expense policy with the client before the project begins.
Should I charge a kill fee if a shoot is cancelled?
Yes. Include a cancellation policy in your contract. Standard practice is 50% of the agreed fee if cancelled within 48-72 hours of the scheduled shoot, and 25% for cancellations further in advance. Invoice the kill fee promptly after the cancellation is confirmed.
What payment terms are typical in advertising and production?
Net 30 is standard in advertising agencies and production companies, but this can mean waiting 30 days from the invoice date, not from project completion. Negotiate terms upfront and consider requiring a deposit for large campaigns. Freelance art directors often invoice weekly on long productions to avoid large outstanding balances.
Can I use this template for free?
Yes. Tidybill's free plan lets you create up to 5 invoices per month at no cost, with no credit card required. You can use the Art Director invoice template straight away after signing up.