The creative industry is global by nature. Whether you’re an animation studio working with clients in the US, a games studio sourcing talent in Europe, or a freelancer working with overseas clients, cross-border payments are part of everyday life.

But with today’s volatile currency markets, managing those international transactions has never been more important.

Why FX Volatility Matters

Over the past year, major currencies like the pound, euro, and dollar have seen significant swings. For creative studios, that volatility directly impacts margins:

  • A studio billing in dollars but paying costs in pounds could see big impacts on margins simply due to exchange rate shifts.

  • A production studio hiring overseas freelancers might face unexpected cost increases when the pound weakens.

  • Freelancers relying on international clients may end up earning less than expected once payments are converted.

In a sector where budgets are tight and margins can be slim, ignoring FX is no longer an option.

The Risks

Many creative studios leave FX management to their bank, accepting standard rates without question. The problem is though that banks often add hidden markups and offer poor exchange rates, and studios end up paying more than necessary. Worse still, without a clear currency strategy, revenues and costs can fluctuate month to month — making forecasting difficult.

A Smarter Approach to Currency

This is where a proactive currency strategy comes in. By working with a specialist partner like DASH, creative studios can:

  • Protect margins: Use forward contracts and risk management tools to lock in rates.

  • Save money: Access more competitive exchange rates than traditional banks.

  • Plan with confidence: Forecast future costs and revenues with more certainty.

Methods to Manage Exchange Risk

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to currency risk. The right solution depends on the size of your studio, your client base, and how often you deal in foreign currencies. Some common methods include:

  • Forward Contracts – Lock in today’s rate for a future payment, protecting you from sudden market swings.

  • Market Orders – Set target exchange rates and automatically convert when the market reaches them, so you don’t miss opportunities.

  • Matching – If you receive income and make payments in the same foreign currency, you can “match” them to naturally offset your exposure. For example, a studio earning in euros from a client could use those same euros to pay a freelancer in Europe — avoiding conversion altogether.

  • Currency Accounts – Holding balances in different currencies allows you to time conversions more strategically, rather than converting everything immediately.

Used in the right combination, these tools help creative studios smooth out the impact of currency volatility and make international transactions far less stressful.

Case Study

Take the case of a UK-based creative studio billing a US client $250,000 for a project. Without a strategy, the studio risks exchange rates moving against them between invoice and payment — potentially losing thousands in revenue.

By planning ahead, locking in exchange rates, or using matching to offset costs, that same studio can protect its income, safeguard its margins, and focus on what it does best: delivering great creative work.

Why DASH?

At DASH, we specialise in supporting creative studios with their currency strategy. We understand the unique challenges studios and freelancers face when operating across borders. Our tailored approach means you get:

  • A partner who speaks your industry language.

  • Competitive rates and transparent pricing.

  • Guidance on when and how to make transfers for maximum impact.

In an uncertain economic climate, that peace of mind is invaluable.

Final Word

The creative industry thrives on ideas, talent, and collaboration and peace of mind their margins are protected.

By putting a proper FX strategy in place, creative studios can avoid nasty surprises, protect their margins, and plan with confidence.

At DASH, we believe managing your currency shouldn’t be an afterthought, it should be part of your business strategy.

If you’d like to explore how DASH can help your creative studio take control of FX, get in touch with us today.