Planning the Cost of a Whiteboard Animation

Count the clips, not just the final runtime

A whiteboard explainer can include drawing clips, narration, captions and editing. Speedpaint's generation cost covers its drawing output, not a finished multi-scene production or an editor's time. Estimate those parts separately so a low clip-generation cost is not mistaken for the price of every production step.

Start with your storyboard. Count the images that need separate clips and choose a trial scene. If the explanation needs exact labels or ordered arrows, plan the additional editing work before generation rather than discovering it after every clip is finished.

How drawing-video credits are calculated

A standard video up to 60 seconds uses 20 credits. Each additional started minute adds 10 credits. The 4K option doubles the calculated video cost. At the standard rate of 100 credits per US dollar, 20 credits corresponds to US$0.20 of credit value; check the pricing page and checkout for the current pack and payment details.

For example, a 45-second standard clip uses 20 credits. A 90-second standard clip uses 30. A 150-second standard clip uses 40, or 80 with 4K selected. These are calculations from the pricing rules, not invoices or promises about how quickly a render completes.

Budget for review before a full sequence

Three separate 30-second standard clips use 60 credits in total. Generating each of those three clips again with a different source or settings would use another 60. Downloading an already completed result is not another generation, but making a new result is.

Eligible new accounts receive a one-time 200-credit trial grant. At 20 credits each, that can cover ten standard videos up to 60 seconds if the balance is spent only on those generations. Longer clips, 4K and other credit-consuming generation options change that count. Purchased credits do not expire.

Spend the first test on the difficult decision

Use a representative source image rather than the easiest image in the set. Check the chosen style, the framing and whether the final drawing preserves the information you need. Improving a small label or simplifying the source before producing the remaining clips can avoid unnecessary repeat work.

Do not use 4K to compensate for a blurry or inaccurate source. More output pixels do not verify a diagram or recover missing detail. Choose the resolution for the delivery format and inspect a sample at the size where the audience will see it.

Confirm the total before generating

Review the estimate shown in Studio for the selected settings. Set aside any separate cost for licensed source artwork, recorded narration, music and editing. If you are producing client work, distinguish those items from Speedpaint generation credits in your quote.

Check current pricing and the credit calculation guide. Use the whiteboard planning guides before producing a complete sequence.