How Much Does a Live Graphic Recorder Cost? What do You Actually Get? (London 2026 Guide)
Imagine: the event you’ve spent months pulling together ends, (and breathe!) but you just know that everyone will have forgotten that slide deck and pushed their complementary tote bags to the back of their cupboards by next week.
For purpose-driven event organisers and communicators like many of my clients, this can be especially disheartening. Summits that spark mindset shifts, workshops that cause ripple effects… but when attendees step outside to their everyday distractions, all that meaning and intention can quickly evaporate. So how can you leave a lasting impression, even bring them back to how that day felt for years to come? (It’s not another branded water bottle.)
Maybe that’s how you landed here? You’re considering hiring a graphic recorder, but need an introduction to how it all works, starting with pricing.
What Live Graphic Recording Costs
Live event scribe (also known as visual facilitator or sketchnoter — there are many names!) rates vary widely. A quick search tells me this could be from £700 to over £3,000 per event. Total costs depend on the event's duration, travel needs, and the artist's experience, so you’ll only know for sure by reaching out directly to your graphic recorder of choice.
Oh, look, a button where you can do just that!
For now, I can help you skip some of the guesswork with a straightforward look at my pricing structure and how I work.
Live in Person Graphic Recording Pricing
I attend events in person with my iPad and illustrate a visual summary in real time.
Working digitally allows me to offer a sliding scale of visibility: for free-flowing discussions and workshops, I move among groups, listening closely and capturing a cross-section of ideas; for conferences and summits with agendas, graphic recording can become an event feature by displaying the process on a large screen throughout, at key points, or at the end.
Illustrated live at RMS’s charity event, capturing a cross-section of activities and fireside talks, displayed on screens as the day came to a close.
When attending London events in person, pricing starts at £975 for shorter events (3 hours and under) and £1,250 - £1,950+ for longer events. I’ll come onto all the things you receive in your graphic recording package.
I’ve happily travelled as far as Rome for events. When transport and accommodation is required to attend, I either follow the organiser’s expense arrangements, or arrange my own and add this cost to the invoice, with prior agreement from the client.
I usually apply discounts for multi-day events, and have limited reduced fee slots each month for non-profits and grassroots organisations doing impactful work.
Live Online Graphic Recording Pricing
For online and hybrid events, or even if covering the cost of travel for in person sketchnoting isn’t an option, you can bring one in remotely. You get all the same visual interest at your event and files afterwards without the commute!
Live illustrated during a multi-language virtual dialogue following COP30.
After a tech run in advance, I sign in and illustrate online meetings, masterclasses and workshops, either discretely in the background, or streaming the process for all to see.
I save some time, you save some budget: pricing starts from £595 for events up to 2 hours.
What Do You Get?
Whether your event’s in person or online, you get a digital package of files you can share as widely as you like. Right after your event, I’ll share a transfer link with the following:
High resolution image (PNG) for digital sharing, like LinkedIn posts, follow-up emails, or your website.
20-30 second time-lapse video (MP4), a sped-up capture of the visual summary being illustrated from start to finish, like the below example.
Optional Extras
Often, clients have additional uses in mind for their visual summaries, especially for landmark events. I’ve adapted a live illustration into a large scale wall mural, converted visual summaries into social media friendly slides and looping animations. Here’s a brief guide of extra formats and versions you can add to your live graphic recording package:
Print-ready PDFs for posters and handouts. £250.
Your visual summary resized or divided for social media carousels, slide decks and more. £250.
Translations. You provide the translation, and I’ll create a version, hand-written in that language. From £450.
“Drag-and-drop” illustrations, extracted from your visual summary, ready for you to simply place in documents and slides. £250.
Animation, giving you a looping video that can be displayed at future events or as part of a follow-up presentation. From £650.
Side-note on Infographics
If you don’t already know, I also create visual summaries from written, audio or video material, basically non-live. I’ve created visual hooks for podcasts, presentation slides that has audiences hanging on the speakers every word, and front page summaries for reports and assessments.
I’m only covering the ins and outs of live graphic recording in this guide, but you can learn more about my infographic service below.
Let’s Chat
If this pricing and package guide has left you with any questions, or you’d like to check on my availability for your event, you’re very welcome to get in touch, either by emailing hi@elliefoster.com or by setting up a complimentary 15 minute call with the below scheduler.
There’s no obligation — I love to hear what people considering live illustration are working on.