Designers don’t struggle with creativity, they struggle with pricing.

Too high, and you fear losing the client.
Too low, and you lose your confidence.

We’ve all been there, that moment before sending a proposal where you question your worth, change the number three times, and still hit “send” with doubt.

But here’s the truth: Pricing isn’t just about numbers.
It’s about value, positioning, and how much you believe in what you bring to the table.

Pricing isn’t just about money, it’s about value, positioning, and confidence.

Most designers treat pricing like guesswork.
They charge what “feels safe,” what others are charging, or what they think the client can afford.

But here’s the problem → when you underprice, you don’t just make less money, you attract the wrong clients.
The ones who haggle, rush, and treat design like a commodity instead of a craft.

Underpricing tells people, “I’m still figuring out my worth.”
And over time, that mindset doesn’t just hurt your income, it burns you out.

Because when you don’t value your work, neither will anyone else.

There’s no single “right” way to price your work but understanding these three models will help you choose the one that fits your goals and projects best.

You charge for the time you spend: $100/hour, $50/hour, etc.
It’s easy to calculate and great for small, undefined tasks.

Example: A client needs five quick social post designs, you charge for 3 hours of work.

Pros: Simple, transparent, beginner-friendly.
Cons: Limits income as you grow — clients start focusing on hours, not outcomes.

You price for the project, not the time.
The focus shifts from effort to output, what you’re creating, not how long it takes.

Example: A website design for $2,000 covering strategy, UI, and responsive design.

Pros: Clear boundaries, better profitability, scalable.
Cons: Scope creep — when clients add “just one more thing.”

You price based on the results your work will create for the client, not just the deliverable.

Example: You design a new landing page that could help your client make $10,000 more in conversions, you price your design at $1,000+ because of the value it brings, not the time it takes.

Pros: Highest earning potential, builds authority, attracts serious clients.
Cons: Harder to master, requires understanding your client’s business goals.

The more you shift from time → output → outcome, the more valuable your work becomes.

Pricing shouldn’t be a guessing game, it’s a system.
Here’s how to build one that reflects your value and attracts the right clients:

Start with the basics, how much does it actually cost you to do the work?
Factor in:

You can’t price sustainably if you don’t know your baseline.

Study what other designers at your level charge- not to copy, but to calibrate.
Remember: rates vary based on experience, niche, and geography.
You’re not competing on price, but it helps to know the range.

Ask yourself - what’s the real result of my work?
A rebrand that drives trust, a landing page that converts better, or packaging that increases sales?
Clients don’t pay for pixels - they pay for outcomes.

Offer options instead of one number.
Example:

This gives clients flexibility and helps you anchor higher value.

Your time is limited - but your impact isn’t.
A design that took you 5 hours but earns your client 5 lakhs should not be priced like “just 5 hours of work.”

If your price makes you a little uncomfortable, you’re probably finally charging what you’re worth.

Most pricing problems don’t come from clients, they come from us.
Here are the biggest traps that keep designers underpaid and undervalued:

Not every client is your client.
If you keep lowering your rates to fit everyone, you’ll never have time or energy for the right ones.
Saying “no” is the first step toward better clients and better work.

If you don’t set a floor, clients will test how low you can go.
Define your minimum viable rate, the lowest amount that still feels fair and sustainable.
This saves time, filters leads, and protects your focus.

Clients don’t care how long it took you, they care what it does for them.
Stop selling hours. Start selling outcomes.
The more impact your work delivers, the higher its value.

When you justify your price, you start losing authority.
Instead of saying, “I can reduce it,” try,

“I understand your budget. Let’s see what we can adjust in the scope.”
It keeps your price firm while showing flexibility in deliverables, not value.

The moment you stop pricing from fear, your clients start paying for confidence.

Before you send that next proposal, run through this quick self-check:

Clarity builds confidence. The clearer you are about your pricing, the easier it becomes for clients to say yes.

Pricing isn’t just math — it’s communication, positioning, and mindset.
It tells the world how much you believe in your work and the value it creates.

Every number you send out is a message:
“This is what my time, skill, and impact are worth.”

So here’s something to think about →
Are you pricing for effort — or for impact?

Thanks for reading! We hope you enjoyed this edition and would consider forwarding it to a friend.

If you hated it, reply and let us know what we could do differently. Same time next week <3

beehiiv started with newsletters. Now, they’re reimagining the entire content economy.

On November 13, beehiiv’s biggest updates ever are dropping at the Winter Release Event.

For the people shaping the next generation of content, community, and media, this is an event you won’t want to miss.

RSVP for the Winter Release →