Money7 August 2026 · 3 min read

What to put on your first invoice

A short, complete checklist, so your very first invoice looks like your hundredth.

Your first invoice can feel oddly high-stakes. It doesn’t need to be. There are only a handful of things it has to include.

The essentials

Your name or studio name, and how to reach you.
Your client’s name, company and address.
A unique invoice number. Start at 0001, or with a prefix like INV-.
The issue date and a clear due date.
Each piece of work on its own line, with quantity and rate.
Tax or VAT, if you are registered for it, plus your tax ID.
The total due, in the currency you agreed.
How to pay you: bank details, a payment link, or both.

The nice-to-haves

A one-line thank-you. It really does make a difference.
Your payment terms, in plain words: “Due within 14 days.”
A reference to the project or proposal so the finance team can match it.

That is it. Everything else is decoration, and decoration is the fun part.

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