99Designs Pakistan

99designs is one of the highest-paying design platforms available to Pakistani freelancers — contest prizes range from $300 to $1,500+ per project, and direct hires can pay even more. Unlike Fiverr where you compete on price, 99designs lets your talent speak for itself through design contests. This guide covers everything a Pakistani designer needs to start earning on 99designs. Updated March 2026.

What Is 99designs and How Does It Work?

99designs is a global design marketplace that connects businesses with professional designers. It works through two models:

Model	How It Works	Typical Pay	Best For
Design Contests	Client posts a brief, multiple designers submit entries, client picks the winner	$300–$1,500 per contest	Logo, brand identity, packaging
Direct Hire (1-to-1)	Client hires you directly based on your portfolio	$500–$5,000+ per project	Web design, comprehensive branding

The contest model is what makes 99designs unique. You submit your design, and if the client loves it, you win the full prize. This means a talented Pakistani designer can earn $300–$1,500 from a single contest — often for 3–5 hours of work.

99designs vs Fiverr vs Upwork for Pakistani Designers

Platform	Avg. Project Pay	Competition	Payment Method
99designs	$300–$1,500	Medium (quality-focused)	Payoneer, bank transfer

Upwork Wise## How to Get Started as a Pakistani Designer

Step 1: Create and Optimize Your Profile

Your profile is your portfolio on 99designs. To stand out:

Additionally, if you’re serious about enhancing your design skills, consider enrolling in courses that can elevate your craft. Platforms like Udemy offer numerous design courses at affordable prices, often under PKR 5,000. Investing in your education can significantly boost your portfolio and increase your chances of winning contests on 99designs.

As you begin your journey on 99designs, managing your earnings efficiently is crucial. I recommend using Wise for international transfers. Their low fees and real exchange rates make it an excellent choice for freelancers in Pakistan looking to receive payments without losing a chunk of their hard-earned money. It’s a seamless way to ensure your earnings convert to PKR effectively.

Upload 10–15 of your best design pieces (quality over quantity)
Write a bio that highlights your specialization: “Logo and Brand Identity Designer with 3+ Years of Experience”
Use a professional photo
Add design categories you excel in (logo, web, packaging, etc.)

Step 2: Start with Design Contests

Contests are the best entry point for new designers:

Browse open contests in your specialty
Read the client brief carefully — understand their business, industry, and preferences
Submit 2–3 design concepts per contest (shows versatility)
Respond quickly to client feedback and iterate
Focus on contests with gold or platinum guarantees (client must pick a winner)

Pro tip: Start with mid-tier contests ($300–$500) where competition is lower. Win 2–3 contests to build your profile score, then move to high-tier contests ($800–$1,500).

Step 3: Build Your Designer Score

99designs uses a ranking system that affects your visibility:

**Emerging:**New designers (limited contest access)**Mid-Level:**Won 1–3 contests (access to most contests)**Top-Level:**Won 5+ contests (access to premium contests and direct hire)

Each contest win boosts your score. Your goal in the first 3 months is to win at least 3 contests to reach mid-level status.

Step 4: Graduate to Direct Hire

Once you have a strong portfolio with contest wins, clients will start inviting you directly. Direct hire projects pay more ($500–$5,000+) and have no competition — you negotiate scope and price directly with the client.

How Much Can You Earn on 99designs from Pakistan?

Designer Level	Monthly Earnings	Contests/Month	PKR Equivalent
Beginner (first 3 months)	$200–$500	1–2 wins	PKR 56,000–140,000
Mid-Level (3–12 months)	$500–$1,500	2–4 wins	PKR 140,000–420,000
Top-Level (1+ year)	$1,500–$4,000+	3–5 wins + direct hire	PKR 420,000–1,120,000+

These are realistic numbers based on Pakistani designers currently active on the platform. The key is consistency — enter 3–5 contests per week and your win rate will improve over time.

Getting Paid: Payment Methods for Pakistan

Since PayPal does NOT work in Pakistan, you need alternative payment methods for 99designs:

The most popular option. 99designs can deposit directly to your Payoneer account. Withdraw to HBL, MCB, UBL, or JazzCash.Payoneer:Sign up and get $25 bonus on your first $1,000.Lower fees (0.5–1.5%) for receiving USD payments.Wise:**Direct bank transfer:**99designs supports SWIFT transfers to Pakistani banks, though processing takes 3–5 business days.

Tax note: Register with FBR (Federal Board of Revenue) and PSEB for favorable tax treatment on your international design income. This also prevents bank flags on large USD deposits.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

**Entering every contest:**Focus on contests that match your skills and style. Submitting generic work to 20 contests is less effective than creating excellent work for 5 targeted ones.**Ignoring the design brief:**Read every word of the client brief. Designers who follow the brief closely win more contests than those who submit their “preferred” style regardless of what the client asked for.**Giving up after losing:**Most designers lose their first 5–10 contests. This is normal. Each contest teaches you about client preferences. Analyze winning designs and learn from them.**Not iterating on feedback:**When a client gives feedback on your entry, respond within 24 hours with an updated version. Designers who iterate win 3x more contests than those who submit once and wait.**Neglecting your portfolio:**Update your 99designs portfolio after every contest win. Old portfolios with outdated work lose to fresh, modern designs.

Conclusion

99designs offers Pakistani graphic designers one of the highest-paying freelancing opportunities available — with contest prizes of $300–$1,500 and direct hire projects reaching $5,000+. Start by creating a strong profile, entering targeted contests, and building your designer score. Within 3–6 months of consistent effort, you can realistically earn $500–$1,500/month from Pakistan.

Join 99designs and start entering design contests today!

**Disclosure:**This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Pakistani designers use 99designs?

Yes. 99designs accepts designers from Pakistan. You can create a free account, enter design contests, and receive payments through Payoneer or direct bank transfer. There are no country restrictions for participating in contests or getting hired directly.

How much does 99designs take from designers?

99designs takes a platform fee from the client side, not from designers. When you win a $500 contest, you receive $500 (minus payment processing fees from Payoneer, typically 2%). For direct hire projects, 99designs may charge a small percentage, but the majority goes to the designer.

What design skills are most in demand on 99designs?

Logo design, brand identity, and packaging design are the most popular contest categories. Web design and social media graphics also have strong demand. Pakistani designers particularly succeed in logo design and branding due to competitive pricing and strong creative skills.

How long does it take to win your first 99designs contest?

Most designers win their first contest within 2–8 weeks of active participation. Enter 3–5 contests per week, read briefs carefully, and iterate on client feedback. Some designers win on their first attempt, while others need 10–15 entries before their first win. Persistence and learning from losing entries is key.

Is 99designs better than Fiverr for Pakistani designers?

They serve different purposes. 99designs pays more per project ($300–$1,500 per contest vs $5–$200 on Fiverr) but income is less predictable since you may not win every contest. Fiverr provides steadier small orders. The ideal strategy is to use both: Fiverr for steady income and 99designs for high-value projects.