The content of this article is provided for informational purposes only. You should always obtain independent business, tax, financial, and legal advice before making any business decision.
Whether you’re a graphic designer fulfilling online orders, a dog-walker with a packed (and furry) client list, or a contractor managing multiple job sites—sending professional invoices helps you stay organized, look polished, and keep the cash coming.
With the right tools, invoicing doesn’t have to be a difficult or time-consuming process.
Here’s everything you need to know to create and send professional, customized invoices with PayPal.
Invoicing is the process of creating a document—physical or digital—that outlines the details of the sale or service you provided and the funds you are owed. An invoice contains information like what was purchased, the amount owed, and payment terms.
As your business grows, it can be challenging to keep up the volume of invoices you need to send. In addition, you may find that you need customized invoices with your logo and branding in order to portray a professional, consistent image.
That’s where PayPal Invoicing comes in. With PayPal’s online invoicing tools, you can create and send invoices that look professional and include all the necessary details in seconds.
You can create invoices on the PayPal app or online using your PayPal Business account online or on the PayPal App.
Watch a short video below to learn how to use the PayPal invoice generator, or follow these steps:
Sign up for a PayPal Business account, or log in online or on the PayPal App
You may need to use the icon in the top left corner to toggle to from your personal PayPal account to your business account
From the menu, select Pay & Get Paid, then choose Create an Invoice
Select or add the customer(s) you would like to invoice
Add customer information OR choose the product(s) or service(s) to include in the invoice
Enter details like taxes, dates, and discounts if desired
Include shipping information if needed
Add notes, terms, and more
Use the preview to verify that your invoice is correct
To take your invoices to the next level, try PayPal’s invoice customization options. Branded invoices can feel more professional and reassure your clients that the bill is legitimate.
With PayPal, it’s simple to customize your online invoices:
Add your website, tax ID information, and other details if desired
Include relevant information about your business and the details of the service or product
Add a quick note of thanks to your customer
Sending an invoice on the PayPal app or online is as easy as creating one. Follow these steps to deliver an invoice to your customer:
Log in to your PayPal Business account or access your PayPal mobile app
Create your invoice using the steps above
Once you’ve confirmed that the invoice looks correct, select “Send”
If you’ve entered your customer’s email address, your email will be sent to the recipient
You may also send the invoice via link or QR code
Visit our Help Center and toggle to the “Business” section to learn more
When you bill a customer with a PayPal invoice, you can accept payments in 200+ markets and 24 currencies. Your customers can pay in a variety of flexible payment methods, including PayPal, Venmo,1 Apple Pay®, credit and debit cards, and Pay Later.2
When your customer completes their PayPal invoice payment, you’ll receive a notification of the transaction. You can access the available funds in your PayPal account immediately.
Fast, simple, and secure—there are many pros to online invoicing. Here are some of the primary benefits of paper invoicing vs. e-invoicing:
No monthly cost or setup fees; only pay when you get paid
Payment processes are quick and efficient: 77% of PayPal invoices are paid within one day of sending the invoice3
Customers can select their preferred payment method; no account with PayPal required
Payment reminders and recurring invoices can be scheduled
Professional, customizable estimates easily convert to invoices online or through the PayPal app
Without the right tools, invoicing can take time away from other critical aspects of running a business.
Michelle Mansfield-Homm, founder of Bouquet of Basil Herbals, uses PayPal to make billing and tracking invoices less time-consuming.
She calls PayPal Invoicing an “essential tool” for her business. “It streamlines the invoicing process and greatly supports my bookkeeping, helping me keep everything organized and efficient,” says Mansfield.
For business owners who rarely find themselves sitting—let alone at a desk—sending invoices using the PayPal mobile app makes it simple to bill customers from virtually anywhere.
Being able to generate invoices on-the-go using the PayPal App is a major plus for Danielle M, Chery, the artist and founder behind DMC Original Art,
“I can access my PayPal Business account from my phone or my computer, “It makes payments more accessible,” Chery notes.
Tip: take your invoicing to the next level with an invoice tracker.
Send your first PayPal invoice (or just have fun trying out the PayPal invoice generator) today.