How to Manually Create Invoices in Dubsado 3.0

If you're onboarding a new lead using the Proposal → Contract → Invoice method, Dubsado will automatically generate the invoice for you once a package is selected and the contract is signed. This flow works beautifully for guiding new clients from decision to conversion without manual admin work.

That said, not every client fits this model. Sometimes you need to create an invoice manually - especially for repeat clients, returning customers, or a project that doesn’t follow your typical onboarding structure. You may also use this method for one-off billing, add-on services, or clients who don’t require a proposal or contract at this stage.

This tutorial covers exactly that: how to manually create and send invoices in Dubsado 3.0 for clients who fall outside the default onboarding process, while still keeping your billing organized, professional, and connected to the right project.

Manually Creating the Invoice

There are two ways to create an invoice in Dubsado.

From your main dashboard, you can either click into:

1. the Invoicing tab

2. the Projects tab.

Please see both sets of instructions below:

OPTION 1:

 MANUALLY CREATE AN INVOICE VIA THE INVOICING TAB:

>Start by navigating to the Invoicing tab on the left sidebar

>Click "+ New Invoice"

>Select your Client from the list of Contacts or create a new contact

>Select their corresponding Project from the list of Projects or create a new project

>Click "Create Invoice"

>Click "Edit" to add packages or items to this empty invoice

>Input the following mandatory invoice details:

1. Invoice Title

2. Either select an existing package cia the "Add a package" dropdown menu OR click "+ Add Item" to create a new invoice item

3. Click "Save" **You also have the option to modify your package selection, apply taxes, or apply discounts to this item

OPTION 2:

 MANUALLY CREATE AN INVOICE VIA THE PROJECTS TAB:

>Start by navigating to the Projects tab on the left sidebar

>Select your client's project from the list

>Click into the Invoicing tab>Click "+ New Invoice"

>Click "Edit" to modify this empty invoice

>Input the following mandatory invoice details:

1. Invoice Title

2. Either select an existing package cia the "Add a package" dropdown menu OR click "+ Add Item" to create a new invoice item

3. Click "Save" **You also have the option to modify your package selection, apply taxes, or apply discounts to this item

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Applying a Payment Plan to the Invoice

After saving your invoice line items, you can choose to apply a Payment Plan Template to your invoice. Payment plans are managed under the Invoicing tab in the left sidebar - you can read this post to learn more.

Even if you plan to charge 100% upfront, applying a Payment Plan Template is the only way to enable automated invoice reminder emails.

>Click "+ Add a payment plan" to apply one of your Payment Plan Templates

>Select your Payment Plan Template from the dropdown list, and modify if needed

>Click "Save"

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Manually Sending the Invoice

> Click the "Share" icon

> Click "Send"

> Modify the default email as needed and/or select another email template by clicking the "Templates" button at the bottom (optional)

> Click "Send" OR click the little arrow next to "Send" if you'd prefer to schedule this email to send at a later date or time.