Creative Invoice Template

Free Concept Artist Invoice Template

Invoice clients for concept art, character design, and environment illustrations for games, film, and media. Get paid on time with Tidybill.

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What is a Concept Artist invoice?

A concept artist invoice covers fees for creating visual development artwork for games, films, animation studios, and product design. Concept artists generate character designs, environment art, vehicle and prop concepts, and visual mood studies that guide 3D artists, directors, and product designers in realising a creative vision. Most concept art is done under a work-for-hire or commission arrangement, where the studio or client owns the resulting artwork. Invoicing as a concept artist requires clarity about IP ownership, confidentiality (many projects are under NDA), and the number of concepts or variants included in the quoted fee. Day rates are common for studio work, while project-based fees are more typical for indie game studios and smaller clients.

What to include on a Concept Artist invoice

Common concept artist invoice line items

Service Typical Rate Unit
Character Concept Design (full design sheet) £300 - £1,000 per character
Environment Concept Illustration £250 - £800 per illustration
Prop / Vehicle Concept Design £150 - £500 per prop
Concept Art Day Rate (in-studio or remote) £200 - £500 per day
Visual Development Exploration (thumbnails) £100 - £300 per set
Revision Round (beyond included) £60 - £150 per round

How to invoice as a concept artist

For project-based concept art, invoice 50% upfront and 50% on delivery of final approved files. For ongoing studio contracts invoiced by day rate, submit weekly timesheets and invoice weekly or bi-weekly. Include a NDA notice on invoices for confidential productions (e.g. 'Project details are subject to NDA — invoice reference only'). Specify IP assignment if the studio expects full work-for-hire ownership. Net 14 for independent studios; Net 30 for larger production companies.

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Frequently asked questions

Is concept art work-for-hire by default?
Not automatically. Work-for-hire requires a written agreement that explicitly assigns copyright to the client. If you are operating under a studio contract that includes a work-for-hire clause, the studio owns the artwork. If you are doing commissioned concept art without such a clause, you retain copyright and grant a usage licence. Get IP terms in writing.
How do I invoice for work under NDA?
Reference the project under a code name or internal project reference rather than the actual title. Include a note such as 'Project details are subject to a non-disclosure agreement' on the invoice. Keep a separate internal record with the full project details for your own accounting purposes.
How many concept variations should I include in my base fee?
Typically 2-3 design directions for characters or key environments, with one round of revisions included in the base fee. Define this clearly in your contract and quote. Additional directions or revision rounds beyond the agreed number are invoiced separately.
Can I use concept art in my portfolio?
If you signed a work-for-hire agreement or NDA, you may not be able to show the work publicly until the project is released or the NDA expires. Check your contract. Many studios will allow portfolio use after the game or film launches. Always ask before posting confidential work publicly.
What is a fair day rate for concept art work?
Concept artist day rates vary widely based on experience, studio, and market. Entry-level concept artists in the UK typically earn £150-£250 per day; mid-level artists £250-£400; senior artists with shipped game credits £400-£600+. Hollywood production studios and AAA game studios typically pay higher rates than indie developers.
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 Concept Artist invoice template straight away after signing up.