When you first start freelancing, you may ask yourself a question:
"How much should I charge to be reasonable?"
Many 3D designers who are just starting out are caught in pricing anxiety when they are faced with the prospect of working with a client for the first time: they are afraid of scaring them away by charging too high a price, while they are worried about losing money by charging too low a price. This article will help you to clarify the logic of pricing and find out the right way of quotation for yourself.No more price gouging and no more anxiety about working together.
Why is it easy for a newbie to lose money when taking on a case?
Many freelancers initially underestimate the value of their time and skills, resulting in actual income being much lower than input. Reasons may include:
- No reference.: There is a huge price difference between similar cases in the market and it is easy to get confused.
- I'm afraid I won't be able to make a case.: Choosing to undercut opportunities in order to get a job.
- Wrong model.: Calculating design projects on the basis of hourly wage, ignoring the invisible hours of preparation, communication and revision.
If there is no reasonable bottom line, the more we do, the less protection we have.
Know your "cost floor" before you start pricing.
Whether you're piece rate, hourly partnering, or packaging your services.You should know how much you should charge for the case so that you don't lose money.
This bottom line is not necessarily the price you want to earn, but rather the inclusion:
- The total number of hours you need to invest
- Potential brainpower and creativity of the project
- Whether the case is urgent and demanding
- Costs (software licenses, hardware resources, outsourcing assistance)
Once you're clear on this, extrapolate back from the market to create your own customized charging strategy.
Comparison of different charging methods
There are three common approaches to charging that are different for each individual:
| paradigm | Advantages | Risks/Limitations | Contextualization |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly wage system | High flexibility and customer acceptance | Difficulty in predicting actual working hours | Long-term cooperation, maintenance-type tasks |
| Case Pricing | Clarity and Convenience | Easily underestimated workload | One-off cases, simple tasks |
| Service Programs | Repeatable and easy to standardize | Initial design takes more effort | Build a personalized brand and focus on regular services |
Ficuz Recommendation: Service Plan Pricing
At Ficuz, we encourage designers to use theProgram Pricingmodel that packages your specialty into well-defined service offerings, for example:
- "Character Modeling with Texture: NT$6,000
- Add "24-hour delivery": +NT$1,500
- Purchase "Upper FBX, GLB File": +NT$800
This approach allows buyers to understand the scope and value of services at a glance, and gives you greater control over the inputs and outputs of each case.
How do I create my own pricing structure?
- Look back at the types of cases we've taken on in the past.: What are the most frequent needs? What works best?
- Dismantling Process and Estimation: How much time is needed for each stage, from modeling to drawing, from communication to revision?
- Design Base Price + Flexible Options: Provide "Basic Service" + "Advanced Purchase" for customers to mix and match.
It's not just a pricing strategy, it's a starting point for building your personal service brand.
Comparison with international platforms
A lot of people look to Upwork or Fiverr for their quoting strategies, but be aware that these platforms often charge up to 20%, which can significantly reduce your take-home pay.
| flat-roofed building | Platform Rate | Supported Languages | 3D Design Friendliness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiverr | Fixed 20% | English as the main language | ordinary |
| Upwork | 20% → 10% → 5% | English as the main language | Yes, but the competition is fierce. |
| Ficuz | 10% → 7% → 5% → 3% | Chinese + English | ✅ Designed for 3D creators |
👉 More platform drawdown comparisons ref:Upwork Fee Description
Conclusion: Pricing is not a gamble on luck, it is the beginning of building trust.
A fair price is not just about how much you charge, but how much the customer trusts your output. Start thinking about your "value of service" today and demonstrate it through clear program design.
Courtesy of FicuzFree shelving service, add-on items, customizable FAQs and sample artwork showcase pages.The most important thing you can do is to establish a stable case intake process with peace of mind.
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