Should you take a deposit before mixing? (Yes — here's how)
If you've ever finished a mix and then watched the client go quiet when it's time to pay, you already know the answer to this. A deposit isn't you being difficult — it's you running a business instead of a hobby.
Why deposits work
- They protect your time. If a project stalls or the client vanishes, you're not fully out of pocket for work already done.
- They filter intent. Someone willing to put money down is serious; someone who balks at any deposit was often going to be a problem at the end.
- They set the tone. Paid-up front means the relationship is professional from minute one.
How much to ask for
50% up front, 50% on delivery is the most common split and a fair one — it shares the risk between you and the client. For new clients or larger projects, leaning toward a larger deposit is reasonable. For long-standing clients you trust, you can flex.
How to position it without friction
Frame it as normal, because it is. "I take 50% to book the session and the balance on delivery" is a sentence, not a negotiation. Put it in the quote so it's part of the deal from the start, not a surprise. Make paying the deposit a single click — friction kills momentum.
A client who won't pay a deposit is showing you exactly how the final invoice is going to go.
With Levels Flow you can send a quote with your terms, collect the deposit by card, and bill the balance on delivery — all on the same client link.