Design Proposal Template
Design Proposal Template
Create a convincing design proposal using Dock’s free template. Share design proposals in a single link with dynamic embeds like Figma.
Who this template is for
Freelance designers, design agencies, and creative teams who want a professional, structured way to present project proposals to clients.
What this template is for
This template helps designers create clear, compelling proposals that outline project scope, pricing, and timelines in a visually appealing and easy-to-share format. Instead of sending a static PDF, you can use Dock to build an interactive proposal that makes it easier for clients to review, provide feedback, and say yes.
How to use this template
- Sign up for a free Dock account (if you don’t already have one).
- Create a new workspace and select the Design Proposal template.
- Customize the template with your branding, project details, and pricing structure.
- Save it as your go-to template for future proposals.
- Generate a new proposal for each client by duplicating the template and personalizing it for their specific project.
- Share the proposal via a simple link—so your client doesn’t have to deal with attachments or messy email threads.
- Track engagement with Dock’s built-in analytics to see when and how clients interact with your proposal, giving you insight into when to follow up.
What’s in this template?
Overview
Use the overview section to provide a high-level summary of the project and an introduction to the platform. There’s also space to provide a short introduction to the primary point of contact for the project, contact information, and a book meeting link.
Why Choose Us
This section provides the opportunity to explain how your company is best suited to complete this project for the customer. In this section, it pays off to do your homework and target the content to each potential client’s unique challenges and pain points.
Process
This section lets you pull back the curtain and provide a glimpse of what working with your company is like. Most prominently, you can create a project timeline using the mutual action plan feature to provide a rough schedule of deliverables.
Pricing Table
An important part of any business proposal, provide a full line-by-line pricing breakdown in this section or showcase multiple pricing packages to potential clients in one space. The clean design of Dock’s pricing tables clearly presents proposed pricing with space to provide a description for each line item and any available discounts.
Our Team
Use this section to introduce each member of your production team to prospective clients. You can take advantage of embedded media like videos or slideshows to help highlight the special skills and experience of key members who will be working on the design project.
Call to Action
Finally, end each proposal with a well-placed and to-the-point call to action. This is the ideal space to ask your potential customer to reach out with further questions.
Why use Dock’s Design Proposal Template?
Dock’s design proposal template is the most professional and interactive way to present design projects to clients while also improving SEO visibility with a well-structured, online format.
Unlike static PDFs, Dock lets you build a fully interactive proposal that clients can easily review, comment on, and approve—all in one place. With Dock’s intuitive, no-code editor, you can create stunning proposals that reflect your brand, embed images, videos, and testimonials, and structure your content in a way that’s clear and persuasive. And because everything is hosted online, clients don’t have to download attachments or search through email chains to find the latest version.
Dock also makes writing proposals easier by allowing you to templatize them so you don’t have to start from scratch every time. You can create a master web design proposal template that includes your pricing structure, project scope, and terms—then quickly personalize it for each client. And with Dock’s engagement tracking, you can see exactly when and how clients are interacting with your proposal, giving you a clear signal for when to follow up.
Here’s what else Dock’s design proposal template can do for you:
Make proposals easy for clients to review and approve
- Clients can access proposals with just their email—no logins required.
- Embed rich media like videos, portfolios, WordPress site previews, and case studies to make your work stand out.
- Provide a single link where clients can review, comment, and approve the proposal.
- Automatically notify clients when you update the proposal with new information.
Personalize proposals without reinventing the wheel
- Create a reusable winning proposal template to streamline your process.
- Quickly update project details, pricing, and scope for each new client.
- Keep branding consistent across all proposals with your logo, fonts, and colors.
- Maintain a library of reusable design assets, testimonials, and case studies.
Track engagement and improve follow-ups
- See when clients open your proposal and what sections they engage with most.
- Identify the best times to follow up based on real-time engagement data.
- Adjust pricing, scope, or deliverables based on client interactions.
- Gain insights into which proposal formats or presentations get the best response rates.
Enhance proposal organization with a structured table of contents
- Dock allows you to add a table of contents for easy navigation.
- Clients can jump directly to pricing, scope, or any key section of the proposal.
- A well-structured proposal improves SEO when shared online.
Seamlessly collaborate with team members
- Assign sections of the proposal to different team members for input.
- Keep internal feedback organized before sending the proposal to the client.
- Ensure brand consistency across all web design proposal templates and design projects.
Include tutorials and guides for client onboarding
- Embed tutorials to help clients understand the design process.
- Use Dock’s interactive workspace to provide next steps after proposal approval.
- Make it easy for clients to review key project details without additional meetings.
Dock’s design proposal template isn’t just a document—it’s a winning proposal format that helps you close more deals, improve collaboration, and provide a seamless client experience.
Related Templates
How do I use this template?
Sign up for Dock for free, create a new workspace, and select the design proposal template. Customize it with your branding, project details, and pricing. Save it as your go-to template, then duplicate and personalize it for each client. Whether you're working on graphic design, website design, or social media projects, you can easily tailor the proposal to match the client’s needs.
Is this template free?
Yes, Dock is free to try for up to 5 workspaces. Every paid Dock plan includes unlimited project proposal template and workspace usage.
Can I modify this template?
Yes, you can fully customize this template to match your brand, pricing, and project details. Whether you're creating a business proposal template or a graphic design proposal, you can tweak it for each client.
Can I personalize this template for every client?
Yes. You can duplicate the template, update project specifics, and share a unique version with each client. This is especially useful when addressing a client's problem with tailored solutions.
Can I share this template with my team?
Yes. You can keep templates private or share them across your team. Dock also lets you control who has access to templates and workspaces, making it easy to standardize website design or social media proposals across your organization.
What is a design proposal?
A design proposal is a structured document that outlines the scope, timeline, pricing, and deliverables of a design project. It serves as a formal agreement between a designer and a client, ensuring alignment before work begins. Unlike a simple quote, a design proposal explains the client's problem, highlights past work, and sets clear expectations.
What is a creative proposal?
A creative proposal is similar to a design proposal but can apply to a wider range of creative services, including graphic design or general design services, branding, social media, and website design. It typically includes project objectives, creative direction, deliverables, timelines, and costs.
What should you include in a design proposal template?
- Cover page – Includes the project title, client name, and your company branding.
- Executive summary – A brief overview of the project’s purpose and goals.
- Scope of work – A detailed breakdown of what’s included (and not included) in the project.
- Timeline – Key milestones and estimated completion dates.
- Pricing – A clear cost breakdown, including payment terms.
- Portfolio examples – Samples of past work to build credibility.
- Next steps – Instructions for approving the proposal and starting the project.
When should you use a design proposal?
Use a design proposal when pitching new clients, formalizing project details, or setting clear expectations before starting work. Whether you're crafting a website design or social media campaign, a well-structured proposal prevents scope creep and ensures alignment.
Design proposal best practices & tips
- Use a strong cover letter – Personalize your cover letter to introduce your proposal and highlight why you’re the best fit for the project.
- Keep it visually engaging – Use a clean, branded layout with images and graphic design examples.
- Be clear about scope – Outline exactly what’s included to avoid misunderstandings.
- Use Dock for tracking – Dock lets you see when and how clients interact with your proposal, helping you follow up strategically.
- Make it easy to approve – Use Dock’s built-in commenting and approval features to streamline client feedback.
Design proposal mistakes to avoid
- Skipping the cover page – A missing or unbranded cover page can make your proposal look unprofessional.
- Vague pricing – Always break down costs clearly to avoid confusion.
- Forgetting a call to action – End with clear next steps so the client knows how to move forward.
How to share a design proposal internally
Dock makes it easy to collaborate on project proposal templates within your team. You can create a shared library of proposals, update templates centrally, and ensure consistency across all client proposals, from graphic design to website design projects.
How to share a design proposal with clients
Instead of emailing attachments, send clients a simple Dock link where they can review, comment, and approve the proposal. Introduce the design proposal during your pitch meeting so clients know where to find all project details in one place.
How do I send a design proposal to a client?
The best way to send a design proposal is through a shareable link, rather than an email attachment. With Dock, you can create an interactive project proposal template and send it as a single link, where clients can review, comment, and approve in real time.
How do I follow up after sending a design proposal?
Follow up within 2-3 days if you haven’t received a response. With Dock, you can track when a client has opened and engaged with your proposal example, so you can time your follow-ups strategically.
What’s the difference between a design proposal and a contract?
A design proposal outlines the project scope, pricing, and timeline to align expectations before work begins. A contract is a legally binding agreement that includes terms and conditions, such as payment terms, intellectual property rights, and cancellation policies.
Can I include a contract within my design proposal?
Yes. With Dock, you can embed contract terms directly into your business proposal template and even include an approval section where clients can agree to terms before moving forward.
How do I get a design proposal approved faster?
- Keep the executive summary concise and clear—avoid unnecessary fluff.
- Make it easy for the client to approve—Dock allows you to include a signable order form or comment section for instant feedback.
- Follow up strategically using Dock’s engagement tracking to see when and how the client interacts with your proposal.
How detailed should a design proposal be?
A design proposal should be detailed enough to set clear expectations but not so long that it overwhelms the client. Focus on key project details, scope, graphic design elements, timeline, and pricing. If needed, you can link to additional documentation within Dock.
What if my client wants to negotiate the proposal?
Dock allows you to easily edit and update your project proposal template without resending attachments. Clients can leave comments directly on the proposal, making collaboration seamless.
How do I ensure my design proposal stands out?
- Use strong visuals – Dock allows you to embed images, videos, and proposal examples to showcase your work.
- Keep it structured – A clear cover page, sections, and bullet points make your proposal easy to navigate.
- Make it interactive – Unlike PDFs, Dock business proposal templates allow for real-time engagement and feedback.
All rights reserved.
