To help you get started, the steps below will walk you through one way to start building an invoice, but there are a few other places you can get started. Learn more about the other ways to create an invoice.
Create and name your first invoice template
From the top navigation menu, select Templates > select File templates
Select Create New > select Invoice
Your new invoice will open in the template builder
Click into the title field to the top left of your screen and give your template a name
Add your services to the invoice template
You will bill for services by adding them to your invoice with descriptions and costs.
When creating a template, ensure that you include relevant services. For instance, if the template is for premium clients, include your premium package.
If you’re working from a new invoice template, you’ll see that a generic service has already been added: "My Service"
Edit the details for the service by clicking on the field you'd like to update: name, image, quantity, price, tax, and tax
Continue adding items or services as needed by clicking + Add a service/item
Add tax details to the invoice template
Need to add tax or other fees to your invoice? Read on below. Otherwise, you can skip these steps!
Select the outline of the invoice block to open the invoice settings sidebar > select Add tax details
Select + Add tax to add a tax or fee
Optionally, select the name field > type in it's name
Select the field below to adjust the amount (you can set a dollar amount, or a percentage of the total taxed packages/items)
Once you've added tax and set the rate, remember to apply the tax to all of the appropriate packages/items
To do this, select the checkbox under the tax column by the package/item in question
✅ Note
You can select + Add tax to add an additional tax or fee, such as a service charge.
Once you start exploring packages (which can be used to build up invoices) and how they fit into your workflow, you can add taxes to them as well.
Create the payment schedule for your invoice template
The payment schedule allows you to specify when and how much your client will pay.
In this section, you can adjust payment amounts and dates, add payments by selecting + Add a payment, or remove payments by selecting one and clicking the trash can icon.
Amount options
Click on 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
Click on 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
Decide how you want your client to pay
Payment option settings are where you’ll edit how your client can pay–the method, gratuity options, and autopay.
On the right side of your screen, select the Pay page > select the outline of the payment block to open the payment settings.
Here, you can adjust:
Payment method: Set which payment methods you’ll accept (credit card, ACH bank transfer, or both).
At the moment, HoneyBook cannot process ACH bank transfers for Canada-based members—only credit card payments can be accepted for these accounts.
Client can add a tip: Allow your client the option to add gratuity/tip, then select if this option will be turned on for all payments, or just the last payment.
Client must use Autopay: Automatically charge clients on the due dates set in the payment schedule. You can toggle required autopay on, which will require clients to opt in to autopay before they’re able to submit payment to you. If toggled off, clients won’t be required to opt in to automatic payments, but they’ll still have the option to turn it on themselves.
Configure the invoice template’s file settings
The Settings section of a file allows you to make adjustments to your clients' experience and interactions.
Select the gear icon to open the configure settings
From here, you’ll be able to adjust a number of settings for the file
Share your invoice with your client
Once your invoice is set up to your liking, it’s time to send it to a client. 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!