Freelance graphic designer working from home

Local shops, restaurants, tradespeople, startups, non-profits and community organizations that need branding and marketing materials.

Fixed project fees for logos and brand packages, hourly rates for ongoing edits, and monthly retainers for regular social media or print work.

• Design software such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop or Affinity
• Typography, layout and colour sense
• Listening to clients and handling feedback
• Managing deadlines and quotes

• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence
• Register your business name with your province and check when you must register for GST/HST
• Use licensed fonts, stock images and software, and check usage rights for every project
• Consider professional liability insurance, and put copyright and revision terms in writing
• Quebec clients may expect French-language materials, so check your abilities and any rules that apply

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $300 to $2,500, depending on the software and equipment you need. Use licensed fonts, stock images and software, and check usage rights for every project.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $4,000, depending on how many clients you win and the hours you put in. The estimate assumes at least about 8 hours of work a week.

Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence, and register your business name with your province. Also check when you must register for GST/HST, and consider professional liability insurance with copyright and revision terms in writing.