Video & Audio Invoice Template

Free Colorist Invoice Template

Invoice clients for colour grading, film colour, and commercial post-production work. Get paid on time with Tidybill.

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What is a Colorist invoice?

A colorist invoice documents fees for professional colour grading and colour correction services on film, television, advertising, and branded content. Colorists are responsible for the final visual look and consistency of a video production — from correcting exposure and white balance issues to crafting a specific cinematic grade that supports the tone and story of the piece. Colorists typically work in DaVinci Resolve or similar grading software and deliver graded outputs in the format required by the client or post-production pipeline. Pricing is by the day (for long-form grading) or per project / per minute of finished content. Colorists working in advertising command higher rates than those grading short-form content due to the commercial value of campaign imagery.

What to include on a Colorist invoice

Common colorist invoice line items

Service Typical Rate Unit
Colour Grade (day rate) £400 - £1,200 per day
Colour Grade (per finished minute) £50 - £200 per finished minute
Commercial Grade (30-second spot) £300 - £1,000 per spot
LUT Development & Delivery £200 - £600 per project
Colour Conform & Online £300 - £600 per day
HDR Master & SDR Deliverable 200 - £600 surcharge

How to invoice as a colorist

For long-form grading (feature films, episodic), invoice weekly at your day rate during the grading period. For commercial and branded content, invoice as a project fee once the grade is complete and approved. Deliver CDLs, LUTs, or graded ProRes masters after payment. For regular production companies, Net 30 is standard; for independent productions, request faster terms or a deposit. Include delivery format specifications on the invoice so there is a record of what was produced.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between colour correction and colour grading?
Colour correction is the technical process of fixing exposure, white balance, and consistency issues. Colour grading is the creative process of crafting a specific visual look and emotional tone. Many clients use the terms interchangeably, but for invoicing purposes, grading (creative) typically commands a higher rate than simple correction.
How do I price commercial colour grading versus long-form?
Commercial grading (advertising, branded content) commands higher day rates because commercial production budgets are larger and deadlines are tighter. Long-form feature and documentary grading is often lower per day but involves more days. Commercial day rates of £600-£1,200 are not uncommon; documentary rates of £400-£700 are typical.
Should I charge extra for HDR deliverables?
Yes. HDR grading requires a calibrated HDR monitoring setup and additional technical knowledge. HDR sessions also require separate mastering for SDR delivery. Charge a surcharge (often £200-£600 per project) for HDR deliverables that acknowledges the additional technical work and monitoring investment.
What deliverables should I include in a standard grade?
A standard grade typically includes graded ProRes or H.264 masters for the agreed delivery specifications, CDLs or an XML grade if requested, and a LUT if the production wants to apply the grade to other elements. HDR, SDR, and broadcast-specific deliverables are additional and should be separately invoiced.
How do I handle client feedback that requires going back to the beginning?
Two or three focused revision rounds should be included in any project rate. If a client asks to start the grade over (e.g. completely change the look direction), this is a new creative session and should be quoted and invoiced as additional work. Approving a grade direction before beginning the detailed grade reduces this risk.
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 Colorist invoice template straight away after signing up.