How Interior Designers Get Paid with StudioPay 

You’ve just finalized a proposal for a full-room installation, and the vendor deadlines are closing in. The chandeliers have limited stock. The custom upholstery has an eight-week lead time. You need to secure deposits today to keep the project on track, but the client’s payment still hasn’t arrived. 

This is the reality for many interior design firms. You’re running a high-touch, detail-rich business where timing matters, yet getting paid can be difficult and time-consuming. Between chasing checks, managing one-off payment apps, and trying to match deposits to the right invoice, it’s easy to lose time, money, and momentum. Most payment tools weren’t built for the way designers work.

StudioPay is the online payment solution built into Studio Designer. It helps interior designers get paid faster, with less hassle and more control.

🌟 Why StudioPay Was Built 

Interior designers needed a better way to get paid. 

We heard from hundreds of firms: traditional payment methods were slow, disconnected, and time-consuming. One designer told us they had to send proposals through email, collect payments via Zelle or mailed checks, then manually update their ledger in a separate accounting system, all while tracking client conversations in a different app. That kind of patchwork slowed down cash flow, led to missed payments, reconciliation headaches, and hours of duplicated effort. 

StudioPay was built to solve these challenges: 

• No more jumping between platforms. StudioPay is part of Studio Designer. Your payments are connected to your proposals, invoices, and accounting in one place. No more logging into multiple systems to do your work.
• No more hunting down transactions. StudioPay links each payment to the correct proposal or invoice, so your accounting stays clean and organized. 
• No more waiting. Faster payments, fewer delays—so you can focus on running your business. 
• No more payment caps. StudioPay supports high-value transactions, which is ideal for large proposals, retainers, or final invoices. 
• No more surprises. Full visibility into every transaction. 
• No more awkward conversations. You control how each client can pay—whether that’s credit card, ACH, or both—so your payment process works the way your firm needs it to. 

It’s all part of Studio Designer’s mission to empower interior designers with tools built specifically for their business. 

✅ How StudioPay Works  

Here’s how simple it is to use StudioPay, from sending proposals and collecting deposits to reconciling your books at month’s end. 

1. Create and Send a Proposal or Invoice 

Start by generating your documents in Studio Designer. Then choose how to send them: 

• As a PDF 
• Through the Client Portal, Studio Designer’s secure, branded space where your clients can view proposals, invoices, and payment history in one place 
• Via an Interactive Document, with real-time engagement and payment options

Each version includes a simple “Pay Now” button, allowing clients to submit payment instantly. 

2. You Control How Clients Pay 

Designers can offer one or both of the following secure payment options:

• Credit Card (3.1% + .60 fee, with the option to pass the fee directly to your client) 
• ACH / Bank Transfer (1% fee, capped at $10 — paid by the designer)  

StudioPay automatically calculates the correct fee and displays it clearly to your client at checkout. Many designers pass through credit card fees to preserve their margin. For ACH, while the fee is covered by the firm, it can be recouped by adding a small markup, using an “Other Cost” line, or building it into a retainer.

3. Both You and Your Client Get Notified 

As soon as payment is submitted: 

• Your client receives a confirmation email. 
• You get notified as well. No more guessing whether a check is moving through the mail. 

4. StudioPay Applies Payments to the Correct Document. No Manual Matching Needed 

No need to enter details manually. StudioPay makes this process easy by: 

• Linking the payment to the correct invoice or proposal.
• Posting the deposit and processing fee to your ledger.
• Letting you finalize the payment with just two clicks.

5. Track Payouts with Total Transparency 

In the Payouts section, you’ll see: 

• When each payment is deposited into your bank account. 
• A complete breakdown of fees and document details.
• A summarized view of your monthly deposits.

As payments move through StudioPay, they go through a few clear status stages: 

• Created: The client has submitted the payment, and it’s in progress. 
• Paid Out: The payment has been processed and deposited into your account. 
• Failed: There was an issue—often a mistyped card number or expired info. StudioPay flags the error, so you can address it quickly. 

Need to cancel a payment? You can void any same-day transaction (before 5 PM CT) if needed—for example, if a client used the wrong card or would prefer to pay with another bank account.

🔍 Key Features That Designers Love 

💼 Total Control Over Payment Settings 

Stay in control of how and when you get paid. 
 
StudioPay is designed to work the way you do—giving you complete control over how clients pay. You can easily enable or disable credit card and ACH payments at three levels: 

• Globally across your entire business.
• Per client, to tailor payment options to individual relationships. 
• Per document, for specific invoices or proposals.

This means you can:

• Offer ACH-only for large invoices 
• Restrict credit card payments for certain clients 
• Allow exceptions on a case-by-case basis. 

💸 High Payment Limits & Fast Processing Times for Big-Ticket Proposals 

Say goodbye to payment caps, delays, and client workarounds. 

Interior design projects often involve significant investments. StudioPay is built to handle them. Unlike consumer tools with transfer limits or daily caps, StudioPay supports high-value transactions. No splitting payments or finding alternate methods. 

And with fast processing times, you get paid quickly: 

• Credit card payments typically settle within 1–2 business days 
• ACH payments will fund in 4 business days with faster funding options available 

That means smoother approvals, fewer delays, and a better experience for your clients and your team—with improved cash flow you can count on. 

🧾 Flexible Fee Handling to Protect Your Margins 

Keep your pricing strategy intact, no matter how clients choose to pay. 

StudioPay gives you full control over payment methods and fees, with flexibility built for interior design businesses. 

• Credit card fees? You can pass them directly to your client. StudioPay calculates and displays the fee at checkout, so it’s always clear and professional. 
• ACH fees? Just 1% (capped at $10), paid by the firm — many designers recover this with a small markup, a retainer, or an “Other Cost” line. 

💡 Why offer both? 
Many clients prefer to pay by credit card because it offers them convenience, flexibility, and the ability to earn rewards or points—especially on large purchases. Giving them this option can improve your client experience without cutting into your margins. 

StudioPay helps you strike the right balance: protect your profits while offering payment flexibility your clients will appreciate. 

📊 Detailed, Designer-Friendly Reporting 

Know where every dollar comes from, and where it’s going. 
 
StudioPay keeps your financials clear and accurate. Filter by date, client, or payment type to generate on-demand reports—perfect for reconciling at month-end or reviewing quarterly performance. You’ll see not just payment totals, but processing fees, net deposits, and linked document details. Everything you need to track your firm’s cash flow and client activity, without the need for extra tools or spreadsheets. 

❓ What About Chargebacks? 

Only your firm can cancel or void a transaction within StudioPay. However, clients may still dispute charges through their credit card company, just like any other purchase. Studio Designer and our payment partners comply with all industry regulations and brand-specific guidelines when this occurs. 
 
If a dispute does arise, the StudioPay team is here to support you every step of the way. A team member will personally reach out via email to help you gather and submit the necessary evidence to the card networks, giving you the best possible chance of resolving the dispute in your favor. 

❓ What About My Client Who Wants to Pay by Check? 

This is a common concern, especially for firms with long-standing clients. But often, clients who ask to pay by check aren’t truly committed to it, they’re just used to it. When you offer a professional, secure online option like StudioPay, many clients actually prefer the convenience of paying by credit card or ACH. 

💡 Tip: ACH is often called an “eCheck” or “electronic check.” It works just like a check, but faster, safer, and without the hassle of writing, mailing, or tracking paper payments. For clients who say they want to pay by check, ACH is a safe, digital alternative that still feels familiar. 

	StudioPay	Checks	Other Payment Apps
Professionalism	Branded, embedded in proposals and invoices	Familiar but dated and manual	Unbranded, not designed for business use
Speed of Payment	1–2 business days (credit card), 4 days (ACH)	5–10 days with mailing and bank clearance	Instant or delayed, depending on transfer method and bank
Transaction Limits	High payment limits, ideal for large proposals and retainers	No cap, but higher risk of lost checks or fraud	Low daily caps; not suitable for high-value transactions
Posting to Ledger	Automatically records and links to documents in Studio Designer	Requires manual entry and reconciliation	Manual tracking needed; disconnected from accounting
Processing Fees	Transparent; credit card fees can be passed to clients	No processing fee, but more admin overhead	Variable fees, often paid by designer, with no pass-through option
Client Experience	Simple, secure, and professional	Slower, with more effort required	Lacks context, project connection, or branding
Designer Control	Customize payment methods per client or per document	Limited to mailing or in-person collection	No control over method, limits, or fee structure

💬 Common Questions from Designers 

Can I accept one large payment and split it later? 
Yes. Many firms issue a single retainer invoice upfront, then apply funds across multiple proposals. You can also use a summary proposal to group items before allocation. 

How fast do I get paid? 

• Credit Card: 1–2 business days 
• ACH: Transaction date plus 4 business days 

How do clients know where to pay? 
Clients receive a secure payment link directly within the proposal, invoice, or retainer document they’re sent. The link is clearly labeled and easy to access, no separate login or portal is required. 

Can I turn off credit card payments for just one client? 
Yes. You can control accepted payment types—credit card or ACH—on a per-client basis. This is helpful if you want to limit fees or offer specific options depending on the client relationship. 

What happens if a client enters the wrong payment amount? 
With StudioPay, you’re in control. Using the ‘Require Full Payment’ setting, you can decide whether clients must pay the exact balance due, or allow them to make partial payments. When full payment is required, clients can’t enter a custom amount, which helps eliminate errors and ensures payments are always tied to the correct proposal, invoice, or retainer. 

Is StudioPay included with Studio Designer?  
Yes. Once your account is connected, a credit card icon will appear in your navigation bar. That’s StudioPay Everything you need is built in—no add-ons required and no additional charges to add this to our current subscription.  

🚀 Ready to See StudioPay in Action? 

StudioPay is part of Studio Designer, the all-in-one business management platform trusted by thousands of leading interior design firms. 

👉 Book a Demo of Studio Designer + StudioPay 
👉 Explore Studio Designer Pricing 

💡 Final Thought 

You put care into every detail of your design work. Your payment experience should reflect that same level of professionalism. StudioPay helps you deliver a seamless, client-ready process that matches the quality of your service. 

It simplifies how money moves through your business. You save time, improve cash flow, and avoid the friction that comes with outdated or disconnected tools. With full control over payment methods, automatic ledger posting, and clear visibility into each transaction, StudioPay helps your firm operate more efficiently and with greater confidence. 

Your clients will enjoy a smooth, easy payment experience. And you’ll enjoy the peace of mind that comes from getting paid faster, with less effort.