Deposits and Payment Terms That Get You Paid on Time

Take a deposit, always

A deposit before you start filters out the clients who were never going to pay and covers you if a project stalls. For custom work especially, money up front is normal and professional, not pushy.

Make the terms clear and written

• How much is due up front, and when the rest is due.
• What happens if a payment is late.
• That final files or work transfer on final payment.

Bill in stages on bigger work

For larger projects, tie payments to milestones so you are never carrying weeks of unpaid work. If a client stops paying, you stop at the last paid stage, with most of your time already covered.

Make paying you easy

Friction delays payment. Send a clear invoice promptly, offer a simple way to pay, and a short, friendly reminder when something is overdue. Most late payments are forgetfulness, not refusal.