Does FirstSlate take a percentage of my payments?

No. FirstSlate doesn't charge a transaction fee on invoice payments. Stripe charges its standard processing fee — that's between you and Stripe. FirstSlate doesn't touch the money.

Do I need an existing Stripe account?

You'll need a Stripe account to accept online payments. Creating one is free — you only pay fees when you process transactions. Connect it in FirstSlate settings in a few minutes.

Can clients pay by ACH bank transfer?

Yes, right on the invoice page. ACH transfers take a few business days to clear; FirstSlate tracks the pending payment and marks the invoice paid when the money actually lands. Payments made completely outside Stripe can still be marked paid manually.

All Features

Online Payments·FEAT / 00:00

Get Paid Online Without Chasing Anyone

Q: Is the payment experience branded to my studio?

Yes. The invoice page is fully branded with your logo and colors, and because payments run as direct charges on your own Stripe account, the checkout page carries your studio's name too — not FirstSlate's.

FirstSlate connects your studio to Stripe so clients can pay invoices online, by card or ACH bank transfer, directly from the invoice page.

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Every producer has a version of this story. You send the invoice. You follow up a week later. They say they'll get it processed. You follow up again. They ask for the bank details again. Another week goes by.

The payment process is slow not because clients don't want to pay — it's because paying by bank transfer or check requires effort they don't prioritize. The easier you make it, the faster it happens.

FirstSlate connects to Stripe so clients can pay your invoice by card or ACH bank transfer directly from the invoice page. They open the link, click Pay, choose how to pay, and they're done. You get notified the moment payment clears. No routing numbers buried in an email, no PayPal, no awkward Venmo request for a professional invoice.

Connect your Stripe account once in settings, and every invoice you send has the payment option built in.

How it works

Scene by scene.

SCENE 00:01

Connect Stripe in settings

Link your Stripe account to FirstSlate in the settings page. This takes a few minutes and only needs to happen once. If you don't have a Stripe account, creating one is free.

SCENE 00:02

Send your invoice as normal

Build and send your invoice the same way you always do. If you're connected to Stripe, a payment button is automatically included on the invoice page.

SCENE 00:03

Client pays by card or bank

Your client opens the invoice link, clicks Pay, and chooses card or ACH bank transfer. The payment goes directly to your Stripe account — FirstSlate doesn't touch the money.

SCENE 00:04

Invoice marks paid automatically

When payment clears, FirstSlate updates the invoice status to paid and notifies you. No manual update required.

Why it matters

What you actually get.

Faster payment, fewer follow-ups

A payment link removes every barrier. Your client doesn't need your bank details, a checkbook, or a PayPal account. They pay in under a minute.

Money goes straight to you

Payments go directly to your connected Stripe account. FirstSlate doesn't hold funds or take a cut of your invoice amounts.

Automatic status updates

When a client pays, the invoice updates to paid automatically and you receive a notification. No need to manually reconcile or check your bank account.

The checkout carries your name

Payments run as direct charges on your own Stripe account, so the checkout page shows your studio, not ours. A very different client experience from 'here's my routing number.'

Works alongside other payment methods

Stripe isn't mandatory. If a client pays by bank transfer or check, you mark the invoice paid manually. The payment link is an option, not a requirement.

Deposit and balance payments

If you've split an invoice into milestones, each payment is handled separately. Your client pays the deposit at the start and the balance on completion.

Who it's for

Whether you shoot alone or with a team.

Freelancers tired of the payment chase

The follow-up email is the worst part of the invoice process. A payment link makes most of those emails unnecessary.

Studios with larger invoices

The larger the invoice, the more friction there is in getting paid. Online payment removes that friction at exactly the point it matters most.

Producers working with corporate clients

Corporate clients often prefer card payment for their own accounts payable process. A card option makes it easier for their finance teams to move quickly.

Common questions