How much should I charge for this ?

[Anna Marie]

I do a lot of poster and Newsletter work using Publisher.

Someone via an Internet site has asked me to produce an A4 photgraphic type Print of a Poem written by her Daughter about her pony surrounded by her daughter and pony photos.

What should I charge ? I will need to colourise the background choose fonts and layouts for the poem and then put her photos thru my software to fade the edges and pretty them up.

This could be my chance to 'expand my portfolio' so to speak and I dont want to under or overcharge.

[LWaterfield]

Well, it's more of a Graphic Arts job than a painting commission, so you should charge what a Graphic Artist or Designer would charge. I was waiting for a small print order at the local OfficeMax (big box office supply store with a small print/ship center in back) when the guy I was working with told someone on the phone that their rate for layout & design of a church newsletter would be their standard $1 a minute/$60 per hour! Sounds a little high to me, but I wouldn't charge a whole lot less if that's the "standard industry rate".....Good luck. And remember, she can't buy your skill & talent elsewhere!

[it'sALLart]

Anything less than $300 is a crime. She'd pay more for that from a pro, since you are doing this first time, you can see what it takes for the next job.

Also, get a 30% non-refundable, upfront deposit and use a written contract!!!!

[Anna Marie]

Oops I was going to say about £15?

[Florence]

$300 sounds a bit high to me for an A4 print that is presumably for her personal use or maybe a present, as opposed to something you sell to a company and will be diffused as multiple copies? I don't know this market though.

[timelady]

I would do it at an hourly rate personally, rather than a 'project' rate if it's a new type of project for you. You need to decide what rate you would be happy with or what you already earn if you do this sort of thing in your job.

Just based on what you've describe it would be about 2-3 hours work in my book. I would charge less than my usual hourly rate (as it's not web work or requiring advanced graphic design skills). So maybe £20-40? ($40-80) If paid in cash of course.

Tina.

[Anna Marie]

Ok I have emaild the client and said £25 so she has the ball in her court.

[leash_wish]

This id a graphics job so I would charge an hourly rate. I freelanced graphics before doing art full time and hourly is really the only way to go unless it is a regular client who you have worked something out with ahead of time. Charge any extras like print outs your charge plus 20% minimum. As for your rate, it will be based on experience. Are you new at this, if so charge about $20-$25 dollars an hour. If this is something you have been doing for a while, you will probably have a good idea what your time is worth.

By the way, my rates above are in Canadian $ so multiply that by 2.5 to get pounds.