Editor Invoice Template

Free invoice templates for Editors built for word count, editing hours, and revision fees. Download and edit in PDF, Word, Excel, Google Docs, or Google Sheets.

Also called: editor invoice, editor bill, or copy editor invoice.

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Download Free Editor Invoice Templates

Download a template, then edit in PDF, Word, Excel, Google Docs or Google Sheets. Print or email when ready.

Sheets, Excel, Word and Doc Templates Coming November 21, 2025.

Custom Editor Invoice Template

Best for:

Logo, PO and manuscript fields.

Editable Editor Invoice Template

Best for:

Edit scope, rounds, style guide.

Printable Editor Invoice Template

Best for:

Totals, approvals, signatures.

Free Editor Invoice Template

Best for:

Hours, pages, type, turnaround note.

How to Invoice as an Editor

Keep it simple, show the work, and make it easy to pay.

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In 5 Steps:

Confirm scope, deliverables, and rates in writing before you start.
Collect a deposit if required and note the amount against the project.
Do the work and track time, word counts, and included revision rounds.
Build the invoice with clear line items and terms that match the agreement.
Apply the deposit as a credit, show the balance due, and send the invoice.

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What to Include in an Editor Invoice

These are the must-have fields for clear, compliant invoices.

Invoice number
Issue date and due date
Your business name, contact, and address
Client legal name and billing address
Tax ID or VAT ID, if applicable
Purchase order or project reference
Service summary with editing type and scope reference
Rate and unit type (per word, per hour, or flat)
Payment terms and accepted methods
Subtotal, taxes (check local rules), deposit applied, and total due

Billing Scenarios for Editors

How to label charges so every invoice makes sense the moment your clients see it.

Rush fee; Expedited turnaround

Rush turnaround requested

Fast delivery strains capacity, so the added fee covers priority scheduling.

Extra revision; Revision hours

Extra revision beyond what was included

Additional rounds take more time and should be billed so scope stays fair.

Change order; Additional content edit

New content added mid-project

Fresh pages or chapters are outside the original scope and need their own lines.

Copyediting (per word); Word count

Large manuscript billed per word

Summarize hours by task with short descriptions. Keep a simple log and mirror it in the invoice.

On-site day rate; Travel time

On-site editing day at the client office

Being on location blocks your day and may involve travel time.

Fact-checking; Source verification

Verifying claims is a separate task from editing and should be itemized.

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What editors usually bill for

Itemize word count, hourly edits, revision rounds, rush, and minimums with professional invoice line items.

Charge or Service

Unit

Taxable

When to use

How to show it

Edit session

Time

Cutting footage into a story

Hours × hourly rate. Log, assemble, and refine scenes to the agreed brief.

Color correction & grading

Time

Balance and stylize picture

Hours × hourly rate. Match shots, correct exposure, and create a consistent grade across deliverables.

Audio cleanup & mix

Time

Remove noise, level dialogue

Hours × hourly rate. Denoise, EQ, and balance dialogue, music, and effects to spec.

Motion graphics & titles

Time

Build supers, lower thirds

Hours × hourly rate. Design and animate titles, callouts, and graphics to brand guidelines.

Project setup & ingest

Time

New project kickoff

Hours × hourly rate. Create project, ingest media, organize bins, and generate proxies for smooth editing.

Captions

Item

Accessibility or platform reqs

Qty × unit rate. Create closed captions synced to the final timeline for compliance and reach.

Stock media licensing

Item

Needed clip, photo, or track

Pass-through as billed. Secure third-party footage, images, or music and track license terms.

Revision round

Item

Client change cycle

Qty × unit rate. Includes one consolidated round; extra rounds billed as additional items.

Rush turnaround fee

Item

Delivery needed faster

Qty × unit rate. Applies when timelines compress; protects schedule and adds capacity.

Delivery drive

Item

Taxable

Physical copy requested

Cost × (1 + markup%). Provide USB/SSD with final masters and archive handoff.

Save and reuse your editing rates and rules

Create a free account and save per-word or hourly rates, revision tiers, and rush fees once, so nothing gets retyped.

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Common Editor Invoicing Mistakes

Invoices fall apart when details are vague or buried. Use these fixes to cut disputes and get paid faster.

Mistake

How to fix it

Not showing the deposit and credit, which makes the client think they were double charged.

List the deposit on its own line and subtract it from the balance. Keep the math visible on the face of the invoice.

Bundling labor and expenses into one blob, which hides what the client is paying for.

Separate labor from pass-through expenses and notes. Clear lines help approvals move faster.

State what the fee covers and any limits on use in your invoice notes or attached terms.

Summarize hours by task with short descriptions. Keep a simple log and mirror it in the invoice.

No payment terms or late policy, which delays payment when the client’s system needs specifics.

Set net terms, late fees, and accepted methods in plain language. Match any client platform rules.

Wrong tax treatment on services or expenses, which risks non-compliance and rework.

Show taxes as a separate line and apply them only where required. Confirm the rules for your work type and check local rules.

Editors Invoice FAQs

Per-word pricing, rounds, rush fees, Chicago or APA, deposits, and change orders. Use this Editors Invoice Template and get paid faster with clear answers.

How should I bill per word vs per hour for copyediting?

Per word works for predictable cleanup. Hourly fits messy drafts. Example line item: “Copyediting, 50,000 words @ $0.03/word = $1,500.”

What counts as one round of revisions, and how do I price extras?

One round means client feedback on your first pass, then fixes. Additional rounds cost extra. Example line item: “Extra revision round, 6 hours @ $60/hr = $360.”

Do I charge a rush fee for 48-hour turnaround?

Yes. Quote a rush percentage or a flat add-on. Example line item: “Rush fee, 48-hour turnaround, 25% of edit fee = $375.”

Can I require a deposit and bill by chapters or milestones?

Yes. Collect 30–50% upfront, then bill per chapter or word-count milestones. Example line item: “Deposit, 40% of project = $800.”

Are fact-checking and reference formatting separate from editing?

Yes. Price them as add-ons. Example line items: “Fact-checking, 10 sources @ $8/source = $80” and “APA references, 45 entries @ $1.50 = $67.50.”

How do I handle scope creep when the author adds 10,000 words?

Pause, confirm the new scope, and price the extra words or hours. Example line item: “Added content, 10,000 words @ $0.025/word = $250.”

What is a kill fee if the client cancels mid-project?

A kill fee covers time spent if work stops early. Set a percent of the total or a minimum. Example line item: “Kill fee, 30% of project = $600.”

Can I add late fees and after-hours rates on the invoice?

Yes, if terms are clear in your agreement. Rules vary—check local rules. Example line items: “Late fee, 1.5% per month = $22.50” and “After-hours, 3 hours @ $75/hr = $225.”