The first step to doubling your income: learn to price your services correctly
Table of contents
Why is 3D project pricing so important?
For many 3D designers who have just started freelancing, the most common obstacle is not the portfolio or where to find projects, but this question:
“How much should I charge for my 3D design services?”
If the price is too high, you may end up with clients walking away; if the price is too low, you will be busy all the time but earn little, or even end up in a situation where you are wasting time on taking on projects.
This article will help you clarify the pricing logic from a practical perspective. Whether you are a novice or a designer who wants to grow steadily, you can learn how to serve your own 3DSet a price that is both reasonable and valuable 💡
What are the common pricing methods for 3D projects?
Price by piece: suitable for one-time special service
This is the most common way to quote for a project, and it is priced for a single project (such as character modeling, weapon props, and scene design).
💡 Example price:
- Basic character modeling: NT$5,000～8,000
- If including texture processing, rigging, animation display: the price can be increased as appropriate
Suitable for cases with clear requirements, single content and clear delivery schedule. You need to consider:
- Estimated working hours
- Complexity
- Do you need to purchase materials (such as textures, model libraries)?
Package pricing: suitable for listing service packages on the platform
When listing service packages on the Ficuz "Find Talent" page, using package pricing can help clients quickly understand your value.
💡 Example service package prices:
| Package Name | Contents | price |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Package | Character modeling (low poly), texturing | NT$5,000 |
| Advanced Package | High poly + low poly, texturing, rigging | NT$8,000 |
| Complete Package | Including animation display and material fine-tuning | NT$12,000 |
Such grading can not only attract clients with different budgets, but also avoid frequent bargaining and save communication costs.
Additional surcharge items: key strategies for increasing case revenue
The more specific the services you provide, the more you can proactively add value and increase quote flexibility.
✅ 常見的加價項目包括：
- Urgent processing (such as delivery within 3 days): +30%
- Additional revisions (beyond the basic number): +NT$500 each time
- Commercial use authorization: +NT$1,000～2,000
- Animation show production: +NT$1,500～3,000
These additional items can be listed in the proposal or incorporated directly into the service package so that the client can see the complete value package you provide.
Tips: 4 steps to help you set a reasonable 3D quotation
1. Observe market price trends
Go to the platform and look at the quotes of other contractors (especially those with similar styles and experience to yours):
Understanding the market conditions and the client's budget range will help you set a starting price that is neither too high nor too low.
2. Estimate service hours and time costs
Even if you don't charge an hourly rate, it's still important to know the average number of hours it takes to complete a service, as this will affect your bottom line.
💡 Example calculation:
Assuming that you complete a character modeling including texturing and rigging, it takes about 3 days, 6 hours of work per day, a total of 18 hours.
Your expected minimum hourly wage is NT$300:
18 hours × NT$300 = NT$5,400
This is the “break-even price” you should set, which can be used as a baseline for fine-tuning.
3. Adopt a tiered pricing strategy
When you are a novice, you can start from a slightly lower level and use a few small cases to accumulate good reviews and cases. When your portfolio becomes more complete and you get more reviews, you canReasonably raise the price.
Doing so can maintain a stable caseload while improving unit prices and professional positioning.
4. Take communication and delivery costs into account
Don’t just count the modeling time, but also remember the following hidden hours that need to be factored into your pricing:
- Communicate with clients and revise manuscripts
- Proposal writing and content planning
- Delivery process and format handling
These are all parts that you cannot ignore in "providing a complete service".
Your profession deserves to be treated reasonably
On the Ficuz platform,Clear, logical pricingIt is easier to win trust.
What the client wants to find is a designer who knows how to estimate and can explain why the price is reasonable, rather than someone who offers the lowest price.
Don't be afraid to state your value; this is the first step to steadily growing your income.
Recommended further reading
3D Case Taking Guide | The first step to start freelancing with your 3D skills
A must-read for new project takers: How to use "job search" to get the 3D project you want?
The first step to doubling your income: learn to price your services correctly
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