Kenelle

As a light entrepreneur working in graphic design, here's how it works: you sell your skills directly to clients or as a subcontractor for agencies, do the work, and invoice through the Truster app without a Business ID (Y-tunnus) of your own. Truster handles invoicing, withholding tax and employer obligations, so all you need to focus on is the design work itself. Your pay lands in your account, and with HetiPalkka you can even get paid before the invoice due date.

#Design assignments and pricing

Typical assignments include logos and brand identities, business cards and brochures, magazine and publication layouts, packaging design, trade show materials, presentation graphics, and ongoing production of social media and marketing graphics. Clients range from small businesses and associations to advertising and communications agencies and direct consumers.

Clearly defined jobs, such as a logo or brochure, are usually priced as a fixed project fee. Ongoing work, such as monthly social media graphics or layout work, is billed at an hourly rate or as a monthly package. For project pricing, it's worth defining the number of revision rounds and which final files the client receives. For agency subcontracting, an hourly rate is the most common model, with invoicing typically done monthly based on hours worked.

Your invoicing rhythm is flexible: small jobs are invoiced upon delivery, larger projects in instalments, and ongoing agreements once a month. In the Truster app, recurring invoicing for the same client is quick, since you can use a previous invoice as a template.

#Software, fonts and other expenses

A graphic designer's expenses are mainly software and licences: design software subscriptions, font licences, stock image rights, a powerful computer and monitor, a drawing tablet, plus any proofs and print samples. Travel to client meetings also counts as an expense. Log your expenses and mileage in the Truster app, and they'll be factored into your pay automatically in line with the tax authority's guidelines.

Pay attention to licence terms in client work: some font and stock image licences are for personal use only, while others allow commercial use on behalf of a client. State in your quote whether licences are included in the price or whether the client needs to acquire them separately.

#How much do you take home?

Truster's service fee is 3.99% of your invoicing or a flat 55 €/month. After the service fee, withholding tax is deducted from your pay according to your tax card, and the rest is paid to your account as wages. VAT is usually added to the invoice, with a general rate of 25.5%: this is charged to the client on top of the invoice. Try our calculators at truster.com/laskurit to see straight away how much your design work will leave you with.

If your clients have long payment terms, HetiPalkka pays your wages before the invoice due date. That way you can focus on your next project without waiting for the previous invoice to be paid.

Invoice tracking happens in the same app: you see right away when a client has paid, and for overdue payments Maksuvahti sends reminders on your behalf for 1.99 €/invoice. This keeps your client relationships hassle-free, since the service sends the payment reminders instead of you. For business clients, invoices can be sent as e-invoices straight into their systems when needed.

#How to get started as a designer

Download the app, create a free account, and invoice your first job today if you like. The account doesn't tie you to anything: you only pay when you invoice. This makes light entrepreneurship a safe way to test whether there's enough client demand for your skills.

Many graphic designers build their client base through freelance platforms, their own portfolio and word of mouth. Getting in as an agency subcontractor often starts with demonstrating your skills on one small assignment. Being able to invoice through Truster lowers the barrier for agencies to buy from you: they simply get an invoice instead of having to hire you as an employee.

Compared to a sole proprietorship, you save yourself the hassle of bookkeeping and reporting obligations, and the Truster Turva included in the monthly package adds protection to your client work. If your design work grows into a full-time, established business, setting up your own company is a natural next step, and nothing stops you from doing it later.