Need to pitch your graphic design services but staring at a blank page?
You’re not alone — most freelancers know their craft but freeze up when it’s time to write a proposal. Whether you’re quoting for a logo project, brand identity, or ongoing design retainer, your proposal is the first impression that either wins trust or gets ghosted.
To help you skip the guesswork, we’ve put together a freelance graphic design proposal template that’s clear, client-friendly, and fully editable.
No jargon, no fluff — just a smart structure that helps you land more projects with less back-and-forth.
In this post, you’ll see exactly what to include in your proposal, how to phrase it, and how to grab a copy of the full Google Doc template (free, no signup).
Let’s design your next win.
What to Include in Your Graphic Design Proposal
Whether you’re sending a proposal for a logo, a brand refresh, or a full design package — every winning graphic design proposal includes a few essential elements. These sections not only show that you’re organized and professional, but they also help the client quickly understand what they’re getting and why they should trust you.
Here’s what your freelance graphic design proposal template should include:
Cover Page
Keep it clean and branded. Include your name, business name (if any), client’s name, and the project title.
Project Summary
A short overview of what the client needs and how you’ll solve it. Keep it high-level but clear.
Scope of Work
List exactly what deliverables are included (e.g., logo concepts, brand guidelines, social media assets).
Timeline
Break the project into phases with estimated delivery dates for each milestone.
Pricing
Clearly mention your pricing structure — whether it’s fixed, hourly, or tiered. Transparency builds trust.
Terms & Conditions
Outline revision limits, payment terms, file rights, and usage policy.
Next Steps + Signature
Give the client an obvious way to say “yes” — whether that’s signing, replying, or clicking a link.
You’ll see all of these sections in action below — including example text you can use and edit for your own proposals.
Freelance Graphic Design Proposal Example
Here’s a full breakdown of what your proposal should look like — with real-world examples you can tweak and make your own.
Cover Page
Purpose: Sets the tone and makes it feel polished. Keep it simple and branded.
Example:
Proposal for: Logo & Brand Identity Package
Prepared by: Jamie Carter (Freelance Graphic Designer)
Client: Lydia’s Plant Studio
Date: July 2025
Project Summary
Purpose: Quickly summarize what the client needs and how you’ll solve it.
Example:
Lydia’s Plant Studio is expanding into e-commerce and needs a refreshed visual identity. This proposal outlines a complete logo design and brand package that aligns with your botanical aesthetic and modern online presence.
Scope of Work
Purpose: Clearly define what’s included to avoid confusion later.
Example:
- 3 initial logo concepts
- 1 final logo + vector files (AI, EPS, PNG, SVG)
- Color palette + typography guide
- 3 branded Instagram post templates
- Brand guidelines PDF
Timeline
Purpose: Shows professionalism and helps manage expectations.
Example:
| Phase | Timeline |
| Kickoff + Research | July 25–27 |
| Concept Development | July 28–Aug 2 |
| Revisions & Finalize | Aug 3–5 |
| Final Deliverables | Aug 6 |
Pricing
Purpose: Be transparent. Avoid vague “TBD” language.
Example:
Total Project Fee: $850
- 50% upfront ($425) due upon acceptance
- 50% due upon final delivery
Add-ons like extra revisions or social media kits can be quoted separately.
Terms & Conditions
Purpose: Protect yourself. Set expectations before work begins.
Example:
- 2 rounds of revisions included
- Final files delivered upon full payment
- Project starts after initial deposit
- Client holds full commercial rights upon final delivery
Next Steps + Signature
Purpose: Make it easy for the client to say yes.
Example:
If everything looks good, reply to this email with “Approved” or sign below.
You’ll receive a payment link for the deposit, and I’ll begin within 24 hours.Signature Block:
Jamie Carter
Freelance Graphic Designer
jamiecarter.design | hello@jamiecarter.design
Download Freelance Graphic Design Proposal Template
You’ve seen the freelance graphic design proposal template. You’ve seen the examples.
Now it’s time to grab your own copy and start sending better proposals — without writing everything from scratch.
This fully editable freelance graphic design proposal template includes all the sections we just covered: project summary, scope of work, timeline, pricing, terms, and signature — all formatted cleanly and ready for client use.
Click here to copy the editable template →
(Feel free to “make a copy” to use this template)
Why This Freelance Graphic Design Proposal Template Works
This isn’t just a document with your name on it — it’s a tool designed to move your client from “interested” to “let’s do this.”
Here’s why this template performs better than a typical plain-text proposal or a patchwork PDF:
Clear, Client-Centric Language
Each section is written to address the client’s needs, not just your process. That builds trust and shows professionalism from the start.
Clean Structure (No Overwhelm)
No jargon. No clutter. Just the essentials — presented in a format that’s easy to read, skim, and approve.
Sets Boundaries from Day One
Scope, timeline, pricing, and terms are all clearly defined. That means fewer awkward revision requests and smoother payments.
Easy to Customize
Since it’s built in Google Docs, you can tweak it in minutes — then send it as a link, PDF, or attach it to your favorite proposal tool.
Whether you’re a full-time freelancer or side-hustling your way into more design gigs, this template helps you present your services like a pro — without sounding robotic.
Freelance Graphic Design Proposal FAQs
Have questions before you hit send? Here are some quick answers that most freelance designers — and their clients — ask about proposal writing.
How long should a graphic design proposal be?
Your proposal should be long enough to cover the essentials — but short enough to keep it readable. For most freelance projects, 1–2 pages is ideal. If it takes more than 5 minutes to read, you’re overexplaining.
Can I use this for logo design proposals?
Absolutely. This template is flexible enough to use for logo design, brand identity, packaging, or even social media asset projects. Just update the scope and timeline to match the specific job.
What if the client asks for more revisions later?
This template includes a section to define how many revision rounds you’re offering. Be clear up front. You can always charge for extras — but make sure that’s stated in your terms.
Should I charge hourly or a fixed rate?
There’s no one-size-fits-all. But clients love clarity — and this proposal makes fixed pricing easy to present. If you go hourly, include an estimate with a cap to reduce surprises.
Do I need a contract as well?
This proposal includes basic terms, but it’s always smart to attach a simple contract or use a tool that lets clients sign digitally. You can link it from the proposal or merge it into a single PDF.
Do you have a graphic design proposal example I can follow?
Yes — scroll up to the walkthrough section for example snippets of what each section should say. You can also grab the full editable template to make it your own.
Ready to Send Your Graphic Design Proposal?
You’ve got the structure. You’ve seen the examples.
Now all that’s left is to make it yours.
This template is fully editable, cleanly formatted, and designed to help you close clients without sounding stiff or salesy.
Click here to copy the editable template →
(Feel free to “make a copy” to use this template)
Want to streamline your proposal process even more?
We’re building Kreev — a lightweight tool that helps freelancers create personalized proposals in minutes (no learning curve, no fancy tools).
Stay tuned — and start with this free template today.