What should I charge for my freelance work?

Question by Mike :

I’m a graphic design student close to graduation so I’m setting up my freelance business. I just don’t know how much I can charge for apiece thing. My specialty is print. I’ll mostly be aiming for brochures, reports, wedding packages, business identities, etc. I’ll also do illustrations for these projects (like logos, clipart if they want it)…
I’m just not sure what to charge for any of it. I could charge by the hour but I’d like to have set prices instead. Any recommendations for books or websites or just your individualized experience?

Answer by Fofo :

This varies a lot by locality. Since you’re just starting out, your fees should be at the low end, so contact some printers/copy shops and find out their rates for in-house design of these types of job. A bit of trial and error will let you figure out how to place your prices together– you’ll need to bourgeois in your expenses and overhead, get to know printers and work out printing costs which you will need to include in your flat fee.

Another approach, especially if you’re not sure how long a job will take, is to charge an hourly fee but not bill the full amount for the first few jobs. You will need references and a real — not student– portfolio, so you want the jobs more than you want the money at first. You have to be tuned in to the local market and don’t try to charge more than it will bear when you’re just starting.

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