GST invoice template for graphic designers
Designers sell an odd mix of things: hours of creative thinking, a set of files, and sometimes the right to use them. An invoice that only says "Logo design" leaves the important questions open, like how many concepts were included, how many revision rounds, and whether the client now owns the artwork or just licenses it.
This template lists work the way studios do, per deliverable, with SAC 998391 (specialty design services) and 18% GST. It also leaves room for a licence note, which is the line that saves you when a client reuses a logo for something you never priced.
Example graphic designer invoice
Meera Nair Design bills Spice Route Foods LLP for ₹81,960.00 before tax. The seller is in Kerala and the client is in Tamil Nadu, so the whole ₹14,752.80 of GST is charged as IGST. The invoice total is ₹96,713.00.
| # | Description | HSN/SAC | Qty | Rate | Disc % | Taxable | GST | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brand identity: logo (3 concepts, 2 revisions), colour palette, typography | 998391 | 1 | 45,000.00 | 0 | 45,000.00 | 18% | 53,100.00 |
| 2 | Packaging label design – 4 SKUs | 998391 | 4 | 6,000.00 | 0 | 24,000.00 | 18% | 28,320.00 |
| 3 | Social media post templates (Canva-ready) | 998391 | 12 | 1,200.00 | 10 | 12,960.00 | 18% | 15,292.80 |
| GST slab | Taxable | IGST |
|---|---|---|
| 18% | 81,960.00 | 14,752.80 |
Notes: Final artwork files released on receipt of full payment. Licence: perpetual, India, all media.
Terms: Payment due within 15 days of invoice date.
SAC codes graphic designers commonly use
| Code | What it covers |
|---|---|
| 998391 | Specialty design services (logos, branding, packaging, illustration) |
| 998361 | Advertising services, when you produce campaign creatives |
| 998392 | Design originals, where you transfer ownership of the artwork |
These are commonly used headings, not legal advice. Confirm the best fit with your accountant, and read our HSN vs SAC guide for how to choose.
What to get right on a graphic designer invoice
- Separate concept from usage. Bill the creative work and the usage rights as separate lines when the client wants exclusive or unlimited use. It makes later licence extensions easy to price and easy to invoice.
- Count revision rounds on the invoice. "Includes 2 revision rounds" printed on the invoice is a polite, written boundary. Extra rounds become a new line instead of an awkward conversation.
- Print vendors are not your income. If you pay a printer on the client's behalf, bill it as a pass-through with the printer's invoice attached. Marking up print is normal, but the markup is your taxable supply.
- Use per-deliverable pricing for social packs. A pack of 12 social posts at ₹1,500 each reads far better to a client's finance team than a 12-hour block of time.
How graphic designers usually bill
Brand identity projects are usually fixed-fee with a 50% advance. Ongoing social and marketing design is more often a monthly retainer or a per-asset rate card. Both can use the same invoice layout; only the line items change.
The place of supply decides the tax type: Kerala to Tamil Nadu is an inter-state supply (IGST). See CGST vs SGST vs IGST for the full rules, or see how invoicing works in Kerala.
Graphic Designer invoice FAQs
What SAC code applies to logo and branding design?
Logo, branding, packaging and illustration work generally falls under SAC 998391, specialty design services, at 18% GST. If you sell outright ownership of the original artwork, some practitioners use 998392 instead.
Can I invoice in USD to an overseas client?
You can show the amount in USD, but the Indian tax invoice must also state the INR value at the applicable exchange rate. Exports of design services can be zero-rated under LUT. Our international invoicing guide covers the details.
Do I need GST registration as a freelance designer?
Only if your aggregate turnover crosses ₹20 lakh in a year (₹10 lakh in a few north-eastern states), or you make inter-state supplies that need registration under specific rules. Services to overseas clients count towards turnover.