Free invoicing software for illustrators
Stop chasing payments.
Protect your artwork.
Invoice with confidence.
For illustrators who work independently, PennaPay delivers clean invoices, secure artwork delivery and connected tools through the PennaSystems suite — card payments and e-sign contracts are coming soon.
No credit card required · Free plan available forever
What to include on an illustration invoice
Clear, itemised invoices help clients understand exactly what they're paying for and reduce revision disputes. Here are common illustration billing line items:
| Line item | Description |
|---|
| Illustration fee | Fixed rate or day rate for creating the artwork |
| Concept / sketching | Initial rough sketches and concept development stage |
| Revisions | Per round of changes beyond the agreed included rounds |
| Usage / licensing fee | Editorial, commercial, exclusive — specify territory and duration |
| Rush fee | Premium for delivery faster than standard turnaround |
| Final file delivery | High-res PNG, layered PSD, SVG, or print-ready PDF |
| Kill fee | Cancellation charge if project is abandoned after work started |
Why illustrators use PennaPay
🔒
Payment-gated file delivery
Attach your final artwork files to the invoice. They're locked until the client pays — preventing the classic "files first, payment later" problem.
📝
E-sign contracts (coming soon)
Attach a scope-of-work contract — usage rights, revision rounds and kill fees — alongside your invoice. Clients will sign electronically before pencil meets tablet.
💳
Online card payments (coming soon)
Every invoice link carries your bank-transfer and MobilePay details today. Card payments directly on the link, with instant notification when payment lands, are coming soon.
🎨
Branded invoices
Upload your logo and choose a brand colour. The Editorial and Canvas templates are favourites among illustrators.
💬
Client messaging
A private thread per client for brief discussions, revision feedback and delivery notes. All in one place, not lost in email.
🌍
Multi-currency & VAT
Invoice international clients in their currency. Add VAT or sales tax with a single toggle. 30+ currencies supported.
Invoice templates for illustrators
Start from a template built for your project type — correct line items for commissions, editorial work and character design. Ready in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
Is PennaPay free for illustrators?
Yes. The free plan lets you build and download unlimited professional invoices with no account required. Sign up to save invoices, manage one client profile and access the dashboard. Pro unlocks unlimited clients, file delivery and PennaConnect messaging. Card payments directly on the invoice link are coming soon.
How do I invoice for illustration licensing correctly?
Add a separate line item labelled "Usage licence — [type]" (e.g. editorial, commercial). In the notes field, spell out the exact usage: medium, territory, duration and whether it's exclusive. This makes disputes much easier to resolve.
Can I protect my artwork files until I get paid?
Yes — PennaShare (Pro) lets you attach final files to the invoice. They're locked behind payment. Once payment is confirmed, the download link activates automatically. No more awkward "can you pay before I send the files" conversations.
Can I add a kill fee to my illustration contracts?
Contract and e-signature support — including a cancellation/kill fee clause field — is coming soon via PennaPact. For now, keep your kill-fee terms in your own contract and reference them in the invoice notes.