Guides
Invoice with intention.
Clear, practical guidance on invoicing for brands that care about the details — from your first invoice to getting paid on time, without the jargon.
An invoice is one of the few documents your client is guaranteed to open, read closely, and act on. Done well, it gets you paid faster and quietly signals that you run a serious, organised business. Done carelessly — a missing tax number, a vague line item, no due date — it invites questions, delays, and awkward follow-ups. These guides cover the craft of invoicing for design-led and independent brands: what a correct invoice contains, how to build one from scratch, and the small choices that shape whether you get paid on time.
They're written to be read in order, but each one stands on its own. If you're setting up your billing for the first time, start with How to make an invoice for the full walkthrough, then use What to include on an invoice as a checklist you return to before sending. When you're ready, the free generator turns everything here into a finished, editorial PDF in a few minutes.
How to make an invoice
A start-to-finish walkthrough of building a professional invoice from a blank page — your business and client details, numbering, line items, taxes, totals, and payment terms. Ideal if you're sending your first invoice or want a repeatable process you can trust every time.
What to include on an invoice
The complete checklist of every element a correct, professional invoice needs — from a unique invoice number and issue and due dates to itemised charges, tax identifiers, and payment details. Keep it open as a reference so nothing that delays payment gets left off.
Use the free invoice generator
Put the guides into practice. Create, customise, and send a considered invoice for free — no card required — and export a polished PDF or a secure share link that gets you paid faster.
Who these guides are for
Everything here applies whether you bill by the hour, by the project, or on a retainer. If you invoice independently, our invoice guide for freelancers pairs well with these walkthroughs — it covers billing models, deposits, chasing late payment, and staying ready for tax. Designers and photographers can find role-specific advice on the designers and photographers pages.
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