invoicing and receipts

[disneygirl10]

Hi
I have recently started my own craft business and I have just started to get some paying customers! I am selling baby prints and fingerprint jewellery.
I am getting a bit confused with the invoicing! I ask for 50% of the cost at the time of taking the prints and 50% on delivery(roughly 3 weeks later).
What is the correct way to invoice people? I have bought a basic invoice pad from staples but I am getting confused as people are paying only for part of the payment.
Should I give them a invoice when I take the prints and then a receipt when I receive finally payment. I am worried it is going to get confusing for me when doing the accounts. Any pointers would be great, is any of the invoicing software worth buying?
Thanks in advance

[whattodoforthebest2]

It doesn't sound as if you need software - it's so straightforward. Give each customer a numbered invoice when they order. Make sure their name, address, phone no and email add are on there and your full details too, together with payment terms. Give them a receipt for the 50% deposit and then another receipt for the balance when it's paid. Keep the invoices in numerical order in a file and staple a copy of each receipt to the relevant invoice. Keep a list of invoices at the front of the file and a date of when each payment was made, so you can easily see what's outstanding.

[disneygirl10]

Thanks I think I was making it to complicated!