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Set up an invoice smart file

How to create a branded, seamless invoicing and payments experience for your clients using smart files

Updated over a week ago

The smart file invoicing feature allows you to streamline the payment process for your clients and ensure timely payment without any unnecessary communication. Whether you choose to include additional features like contract signing, client questions, scheduling options, or just create a visually appealing invoice, this feature always simplifies the payment process for your clients.


Add an invoice to a smart file or template

The invoice and pay block will be what adds invoicing capabilities to your smart file. When you add this block to your smart file, a new page will be created that holds the payment capabilities.

The invoice page is where you create and specify the services you are charging for, along with the payment schedule. On the payment page, you can customize payment settings such as payment methods and the option for clients to add gratuity.

Add the invoice block to an existing page

To increase your chances of booking, you will not be able to add an invoice to a page that already contains a contract, services, or Scheduler.

  1. While creating your smart file, select the large plus ( + ) button to add a new block

  2. Select Invoice & Pay

  3. From here, either:

    1. Select + Start from blank > select your invoice type (standard or recurring)

    2. Select an existing smart template to pull in its invoice

Add the invoice block to a new page

  1. At the top of the builder, select the page icon > select Add page

  2. From here, either:

    1. Select + Start from blank to add a blank page > select Invoice & Pay

📣 Note

An invoice page must always be added with a payment page. You cannot create a file with only an invoice page, or with only a payment page.


Add services, items, or packages to the invoice

  1. Select the search bar in the first empty service item field to start adding:

    1. Add existing items, services, or packages (any that you’ve sent to clients before) by selecting from the available list or typing to search for something specific

    2. Add something new by typing in the name of the item/service > select + New

  2. Edit the details for each item or package by clicking on the field you'd like to update: name, image, quantity, price, tax, etc.

    1. Even though you can toggle the visibility of columns on or off by selecting the column headers, you’ll need to have columns toggled on in order to edit what you're adding

  3. Continue adding items or services by selecting + Add an item/package]

    1. Add sub-items by selecting the item > select Add a Sub-Item

Selecting an individual item will allow you to edit further: you can check or uncheck tax and toggle the image on and off in the right side bar; click the move icon to rearrange the order of items with drag and drop; and delete items with the trash can.


Configure the invoice's settings

Once you're happy with what the invoice holds, you'll need to adjust the invoice's settings. Learn how to update invoice settings, add tax details, and set payment options.


Customize the invoice's design

Once the settings are where you want them, it's time to set up the invoice to match your company's branding. Learn how to customize an invoice's design.


Edit the invoice's payment schedule

You're almost done. Next up, you'll edit the invoice's payment schedule (the details for how your client can pay).

In the payment schedule section, you can adjust the amount and date of each payment; add payments to the plan by selecting + Add A Payment; or remove by selecting a payment > select the trash can icon.

Amount options

Select the dollar amounts to edit the values. You can choose from:

  • Custom amount: the dollar value of your choice

  • Percentage: automatically calculate dollar amounts based on percentage of the total

  • Divide equally: the total invoice amount, divided equally across all payments

Due date options

Select the dates to edit the values. You can choose due dates from:

  • Invoice date: payment due on the date the invoice is sent

  • Custom date: select a fixed due date on the calendar

  • Smart date: due date is based on a variable such as specific number of days, weeks, or months before a project date, after a project date, or after the invoice has been sent

  • Mid-project payment: halfway between the day the invoice is sent and the project date

  • Project date: the date your project is set for. If your project has a start and an end date, this will pull in the project start date

  • Milestone payment: manually request payment once a project milestone is completed (e.g. completion of a deliverable). If selecting this option, be sure to enter the Milestone name


Share the smart file

The final step: send your smart file to the client so you can get what you need. Learn how to share a smart file.

Still have questions? Feel free to send us a message by clicking the Question Mark icon on any HoneyBook page. Our team is always happy to help!

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