Invoice clients for repeat pattern design, textile licensing, and surface design commissions. Get paid on time with Tidybill.
A surface pattern designer invoice covers fees for creating repeating patterns and surface designs for application to textiles, stationery, wallpaper, packaging, ceramics, and licensed products. Surface pattern design is unique in that the same design can be licensed to multiple clients for different applications, generating ongoing royalty income in addition to one-time design fees. Invoices for surface pattern work should clearly state the licensing terms: the product category (apparel, homewares, stationery), the territory, the duration, the exclusivity level, and whether the client receives the original working files or only the pattern itself. A well-documented licence protects the designer's ability to earn from the same artwork across multiple clients and applications.
| Service | Typical Rate | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Repeat Pattern Design (single design) | £200 - £800 | per design |
| Pattern Licence (per category, per year) | £300 - £2,000 | per licence |
| Colourway Development | £50 - £150 | per colourway |
| Pattern Collection (6-12 designs) | £1,200 - £5,000 | per collection |
| Exclusive Licence Buyout | £500 - £5,000+ | per design |
| Royalty (ongoing) | 5-15% | of net sales |
For commissioned pattern design, invoice 50% upfront and 50% on delivery of the approved design files. For licensing arrangements, invoice the licence fee upfront with royalties invoiced quarterly based on sales reports. If entering into a royalty arrangement, ensure you have a mechanism to audit sales — royalties without reporting requirements are difficult to enforce. Keep separate records for each licence and each licensee. For simple one-time design commissions, invoice promptly on delivery with Net 14 terms.