Question to pros on here

So right now a lot of what I do is graphic work for the company I work for, and my friend got me in touch with a couple who are starting their own store and need a logo, postcards, business cards, etc.

So since it's pretty much in line with what I do (not artistic as much as corporate/design based), I designed a couple ideas for them and one of them got back to me just now wanting to know what my rates are...

so my question is how much SHOULD I charge, considering I am far from a professional designer. I'm proficient enough on Illustrator/Photoshop and read lots of tutorials online, so I don't wanna insult them nor do I wanna undersell myself. This is just a side gig to bring some extra case in...

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if i were you..i would say


well hey, what is your budget for all 3.


maybe they say a big amount..(more than what you would charge)

if they say whats less in your head..maybe say..well. thats a little low i can meet you in the middle..which the "middle" may be more then you were going to charge anyways.

because they will say a smaller amount than they really will pay..they may say well our budget is 250 for everything..but you could maybe get em for 300 or something

if they say they are not sure..

i would just throw out

well , i do logos for $200..cards for $70 and post cards for 60$ and see what they say

I just started myself man. Working for two small local companies just because I knew the guys who started them. Still in IT school, 3rd year, and far from professional so right now I'm doing 50 a logo and making 5% royalties. It's enough to buy a few meals a week but nothing big just yet. I'm networking and slowly growing.

First off, I think asking them what their budget is, is a good idea.

Other than that, I think it comes down to how you you'd range yourself. Do a little research maybe, see what other designers charge.

If you want to play it safe, you can always charge them an hourly rate, the same as you would at work. Clock yourself and bill the couple whatever it sums up to. You can always round it down or round it up if you think the grand total is unbalanced.

It's tough to get a direct answer on questions like this cause there are just too many factors. Factors only you can answer really.

Charge what it cost you plus 60%, or do the hour bill, or actually... ask them about their budget.
On another note... when I was charging really low, word spread way quick, I got requests left and right and people threw their money at me