Kickoff payments are an optional way to structure your project payments on Dribbble. They allow a portion of the project budget to be paid out before any work begins. This article explains how they work, when to use them, and what to consider.
Do clients make all project payments upfront?
Yes. All Dribbble projects require clients to pay upfront—either for the entire project or one milestone at a time. Payments are held securely until the designer submits the work and the client releases the payment.
What are kickoff payments?
Kickoff payments are upfront milestones that can be released before work begins. Some designers and studios prefer to receive a small portion of the payment at the start of a project to help cover upfront costs or confirm commitment. This is a common practice, but it comes with specific considerations. More on that below.
When should kickoff payments be released?
Kickoff payments can be released immediately after payment (there is no need for the designer to 'submit for review' like a typical project). We recommend that kickoff payments are released once work begins—after discovery and alignment on the project direction. Releasing the payment at this stage ensures that both the client and designer are on the same page and that progress is underway.
Can anyone add a kickoff payment?
Yes. Kickoff payments are available to all designers for both projects and services on Dribbble.
How do I add a kickoff payment?
When creating a project proposal or service, select the option “Start project with a kickoff payment.” Dribbble will automatically add milestones to your project, and you can choose what percentage of the total budget should be assigned to the kickoff payment.
What should I consider when using kickoff payments?
Kickoff payments are released before any work is completed, so both designers and clients should be aware of the following:
For clients:
Some designers require a kickoff payment (sometimes called an upfront payment or deposit). If you agree to this structure, make sure you’re aligned on the project scope and timeline and that you’ve done your due diligence on the designer you are hiring.
Upfront payments are not covered by Dribbble’s Project Payment Guarantee, and once released, they do not qualify for Project Mediation. When making an upfront payment, you agree to these terms.
For designers:
Work done on unfunded milestones is not protected by Dribbble’s Payout Guarantee. Clients may delay funding additional milestones after a kickoff payment, which can limit protection for future work.
Repeated issues with kickoff payments may affect your ability to work on Dribbble in the future.