What should I charge?

[RobbieS]

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[IgnatiusTheKing]

A bar owner has seen my work with photoshop (editing pictures I have taken) and asked me to start designing the 4x6 flyers that bars/clubs pass out. I dont mind doing it, because it is a fun pass time for me, and making money for something I love to do, doesnt get any better. I have never done a flyer before, but in my opinion what I have done far out weighs what I have seen other REAL graphic designers do. He wants to pay me for it, and wants me to come up with the price. Im not looking to screw him, (especially since my girlfriend works there) but I dont wanna get screwed either. He said he could print them, so there wont be any paper/ink loss on my end, just time. He will use them on the website, and print them himself as pass outs. Probably twice a month he will need a flyer. What should I charge for the concepts? Here is an example of what I have done so far.

I don't know that insulting "REAL" graphic designers is the best way to get advice from us.

[ChicoWeb]

I have never done a flyer before, but in my opinion what I have done far out weighs what I have seen other REAL graphic designers do.

Nice burn on the people you are asking advice from.

[RobbieS]

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[jerryrock]

Going rates for Graphic Designers depend partly on location. At a minimum, you should be getting $35/hr for your work.

[RobbieS]

I live in New york. Staten Island to be more specific.
I would rather charge a base, then per hour.

[basesloaded190]

well then take the amount of hours you worked, multiply it by at least 35 and...what do you know..you get a base price

[snickelfritz]

Your client probably has a very good idea of how much this flyer is potentially worth to him.
ie: it ain't worth $2000, but it isn't $25 bucks either.
Your work is definitely professional caliber, and you deserve to be paid the same as any other graphic designer.

However, there is a limit to the value of something like this; at some point, you end up working for free to produce a better design for your client (graphic philanthropy, if you will).
1-2 hours is probably the maximum time you should expect to be paid for small business flyer design.
Find the going hourly rate for graphic design in your area and use that as your baseline.

IMO, you should have the flyers printed online, and add a 20% broker fee for yourself.
(5.5x8.5 flyers cost about $140.00 for 2500, which is the quantity you need if your client expects a 10% return to mean anything at all in terms of additional profits.)
It's cheaper than desktop printing for large quantities, and the quality and durability of the flyers is significantly better.
4over (http://www.4over.com/) is a company I use often for stuff like this.

[mperkins37]

I would've charged between $120.00 & 180.00 for a piece like that one.
No less than $100.00.
Especially in NY, as the cost of living is staggering there.

[THX1139]

Well, since you have admitted that you are not a professional graphic designer (and looking at your design, I can see that it true), you should charge minimum wage. Or at the most do some kind of trade.

Sounds kind of harsh? Well, I'm really tired of people calling themselves "graphic designers" when it's clear that they haven't put in their dues nor acquired the proper skills to deliver a good product. It devalues the profession and you are doing a disservice to your client.

I look forward to the day when the industry does certification so that we can weed out the wanna-be designers who don't think it's necessary to attain the discipline. Is there room for novices and untrained people? Well, yes... but not as part of a professional industry charging going rates. These people may find "work" doing flyers for Joe's Bar - trading "design" for Budweisers... or maybe doing flyers for aunt Sally's wedding.

You really have no idea what it takes to be a Graphic Designer until you invest in the time it takes to become one.

[RobbieS]

thank you for all your insight. I appreciate the helpful responses.

[mikes63737]

I know this is kind of off topic, but I think that it looks nice except for the "Ladies Night Karaoke." You overused Photoshop's effects, and I think that it kind of looks strange, especially the drop shadow around "Karaoke".

The reflection of the glass is cut off (right side) too.

[RobbieS]

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[basesloaded190]

I'm 24 years old. I Live in new york, own my own house and two cars. Ive done quite well for myself. I have a biology degree and a stable job with benefits where I can retire by 33. So bar flyers is not my "destiny" just one of my pass times. However, arguing with people in forums is not one of them. As far as I'm concerned this is over. But feel free to have the last word- you seem like one of those people who need it. I don't mind. Thank you to all those who responded. I appreciate your advice. And thx, good luck with that degree. Wish you the best.

dude no one cares about how successful you are.

[snickelfritz]

Personally, I think it's a pretty good commercial flyer design.
A tad rough around the edges, but I think it will work beautifully to promote ladies night at Chic~n~Bones.

BTW, what night of the week is "Ladies Night?"
If it's every night, you need to have that on there.

[THX1139]

Personally, I think it's a pretty good commercial flyer design.
A tad rough around the edges, but I think it will work beautifully to promote ladies night at Chic~n~Bones.

BTW, what night of the week is "Ladies Night?"
If it's every night, you need to have that on there.

Dude, it's over. He deleted his posts and left with his head hanging down.

[snickelfritz]

Nice

[brettjohn]

Well, since you have admitted that you are not a professional graphic designer (and looking at your design, I can see that it true), you should charge minimum wage. Or at the most do some kind of trade.

Sounds kind of harsh? Well, I'm really tired of people calling themselves "graphic designers" when it's clear that they haven't put in their dues nor acquired the proper skills to deliver a good product. It devalues the profession and you are doing a disservice to your client.

I look forward to the day when the industry does certification so that we can weed out the wanna-be designers who don't think it's necessary to attain the discipline. Is there room for novices and untrained people? Well, yes... but not as part of a professional industry charging going rates. These people may find "work" doing flyers for Joe's Bar - trading "design" for Budweisers... or maybe doing flyers for aunt Sally's wedding.

You really have no idea what it takes to be a Graphic Designer until you invest in the time it takes to become one.

i just wanted to quote this cause its spot on :rolleyes:

[Abraxsis]

Well, since you have admitted that you are not a professional graphic designer (and looking at your design, I can see that it true), you should charge minimum wage. Or at the most do some kind of trade.

Sounds kind of harsh? Well, I'm really tired of people calling themselves "graphic designers" when it's clear that they haven't put in their dues nor acquired the proper skills to deliver a good product. It devalues the profession and you are doing a disservice to your client.

I look forward to the day when the industry does certification so that we can weed out the wanna-be designers who don't think it's necessary to attain the discipline. Is there room for novices and untrained people? Well, yes... but not as part of a professional industry charging going rates. These people may find "work" doing flyers for Joe's Bar - trading "design" for Budweisers... or maybe doing flyers for aunt Sally's wedding.

You really have no idea what it takes to be a Graphic Designer until you invest in the time it takes to become one.

I had a big long thing to post, but I decided, as designers often do that sparse and brief is better. So let me sum it up in 2 sentences ... People like you give this industry a bad name, and people like you are WHY clients go to the more humble beginner in the first place. Perhaps you wouldn't need to complain so much if you dispensed with that chip on your shoulder.

[shecky]

you know what?

there are designers who are professionals, really know what they are doing, work with real clients all day every day, get paid to do their jobs, create good, well considered work that meets or exceeds the client's wants and needs (even if the client does not know what they want or need).

real designers, educated or otherwise, really don't care if some tool wants to make a filter heavy flyer for some crappy nightclub somewhere. because it is NOT the same industry, it is NOT competition, and it is NOT devaluing the industry. it is an entirely different category of work, a different game completely. if you are the kind of the designer who feels threatened that someone wants a free logo on this forum, or is bothered by some kid using the "emboss" filter too much on his dad's store's business cards, then by all means i can see where this thread would irritate you.

it does not bother me at all.