Design your way

If you understand how vital a logo is to your brand’s identity, the logo design cost may be on your mind and you may ask “How much is a logo?” You’ll ask this because you understand that a logo communicates a message about your brand.

A logo is very often the first introduction to your business. When you have a great logo, you will attract the right clients. As with all business purchases, you will need to weight up the cost of a logo with your current budget and the quality you will get in return.

If you are about to launch a new startup, or you wish to increase the presence of your company in the market place, a great logo will help you to grab your audience’s attention. The logo design cost will be well worth it when you consider that it is a visual representation of everything your brand stands for.

You may wish to gain an idea on logo design prices. What can you get in the market place, and how much do graphic designers charge? We’ve explored the different price ranges for logo designs as well as some design options for you to explore.

Embarking on the logo making journey

Before you set out to find logo prices, let’s take a look at your question “How much is a logo?” and relate this to the design process.

When you are purchasing a logo, you won’t only be paying for the final result, which may often seem simple and easy to achieve. Instead, your final product will be the result of a complete design process. Your graphic designer doesn’t merely create your logo.

Instead, your design will go through a process which includes research, ideation, sketches and a range of different design options. The process may go through multiple changes or adjustments until you receive your final logo design.

A custom logo is tailor-made to your brand. It is designed with your audience in mind and shares the value you offer your clients. Your logo will be unique. Prices may differ.

A friend who has recently graduated from art school and who is looking to create a portfolio may offer to design your logo for free while an experienced agency may charge you a few thousand dollars.

It is often not only the price which will differ though, but the time and knowledge to create a unique and easily identifiable logo which represents your brand.

Before we explore the answer to your question “How much is a logo?” let’s look at how you will be using your logo? Will you be using it digitally? Will you be using it across multiple advertising platforms?

Will your logo simply be used for business cards and printed marketing material? These questions will determine the file formats which would be most applicable to your logo, and the ccolors a designer would use to produce the best results either digitally or on printed materials.

Let’s look at two digital files you could receive for your graphic logos

When you receive your graphic logo design it could come in one of two formats.

Raster files: come in .jpg, png or .gif format. They use pixels or dots (measured in dots per inch of DPI) to create an image. If your image size increases, you design may become pixilated or have a reduced quality.

Vector files: can be used in a variety of sizes without losing quality. You could place your images on Instagram or on a billboard with equal impact. Your design can be easily edited and will come in .ai, .eps. .pdf, or .svg formatting.

If you will be using your logo across a range of different branding platforms a vector file is a great solution. This way you won’t have to worry about the quality or size of your image.

If you will be using your logo across different platforms, ensure that you get full colour versions of your logo as well as colours with transparent backgrounds. Ask for both light and dark colour versions for your logo design.

Now let’s look at the average logo design cost

Flat fee logo prices

Some graphic designers will give you a flat fee for creating a logo. You might be able to choose from a couple of different design packages. Make sure you know exactly what your package includes before you start your project. Both of you need to understand what you have agreed to and what is included in the logo cost. Put this agreement in writing.

Your graphic logo design cost will change depending on who will work on your logo. Let’s look at some examples:

A professional agency will be the most expensive and will charge you between $1000 and $ 5000.
Independent graphic design companies will charge between $500 and $3000.
A freelance graphic designer will charge between $250 and $2500.
An offshore designer with a lower currency value might charge between $100 and $2500.
A famous designer will charge you up to $10 000.

Now that we’ve answered your question “How much is a logo design?” let’s look at some options.

A Do It Yourself Logo

If logo pricing feels expensive when compared to your budget, you may wish to consider making your own graphic design logo. If you have experience with creating a visual representation of a brand and you know how to appeal to an audience this may be a great option.

You’ll have to pay the cost of your time as well as any materials you will use. You may also need to purchase design software to bring your product to life.

If you don’t have a background in design it will be far better for you to purchase a logo from an experienced designer. The logo design cost will be well worth it. If you do have design experience then creating your own logo will give you creative freedom.

If you are inexperienced with software, you can use many of the online tutorials. Remember to factor the time you will spend into your logo design costs.

Here are some great software options:

Sketch

If you’re looking to create a logo to use across digital platforms, Sketch is a great program to use. You’ll have access to vector files which can be created in PDF, SVG, PNG, JPG, and EPS format.

The program costs $99 per year and is increasingly becoming a favorite with designers. If you use SketchApp, however, you won’t be able to use your designs in print format as the program doesn’t give the CMcolorour option needed for printing.

Adobe Illustrator

This is an industry favourite for graphic logos and is part of a larger Adobe product selection. You will be able to design logos which can be used in both digital and print format and you will be able to export your designs in 10 different formats.

Vectr

Vectr is a free computer graphics editor which you can download and use on your desktop. The program is very basic but you can create a design in either raster or vector format. The program comes with instructions for easy use.

Canva

Canva is a paid subscription program which can be takenat $12.95 per month, but gives a discount to subscribers who make an annual payment. You will have access to over 1000 templates to assist you with your logo designs. This should help you to create the logo design you need.

Buy and customize a logo template

If you know what you want from your logo but battle from a time perspective, a pre-made template will take some of the effort out of your designs. You can use the majority of template files on Abobe Illustrator (you will need to subscribe to Illustrator). You can then edit the colours and text to suit your brand.

If you choose to use a design template, you will be able to design more than just your logo. Your package will include a branding package and can be used for social media designs. Check what you will be getting in your templates as well as the files available to you.

Remember though that if you use a template, many people will have similar designs to yours. Your end result will not be as unique as a bespoke logo designed for your needs. Remember to weight this up when you consider your logo design cost.

Here are some logo templates to choose from

Creative Market

You can choose between over 49 000 logo designs on Creative Market. Prices range, depending on the template you choose, but begin at $2 and may increase to $500. However the majority of the templates range between $19 and $39. Templates come with two different options.

A business which will use a product in up to 500 projects is given one licensing option while a business which will use templates in an unlimited amount of designs will pay a higher fee. Take your template fees into account when considering logo pricing.

GraphicRiver

Graphic River has a range of different templates. Low grade designs may cost $10 and very high quality templates $200. Most of the non-exclusive designs on the site are affordable and range between $30 and $50. These templates come in Vector format. Once again, remember to include the templates in your logo designing cost.

Crowdsource your design

If you don’t want to go the DIY route and are unsure of which designer to choose, you could always Crowdsource your logo design. Crowdsourcing is similar to opening up a design contest. You offer a creative brief, sharing what you are looking for as well as the graphic design prices you are willing to pay.

Freelancers are then able to offer up a unique design for your company. You pick the one which suits your business the best. As soon as you have made your decision you can offer your reward and use your new logo on multiple platforms.

99designs

If you are looking for a great crowdsourcing platform, 99 Designs will interest you. You will able to create a logo design contest which runs over a weekly period. The contest will be divided into two different rounds. There is a qualifying round and then a final round.

In the first round designers submit their work to you. In the second, you are able to ask for some changes along a select number of designers. These designers enter a final round where you pick a winner.

The prize you offer within this platform will depend on the level of designer you would like to work for you. $299 is the price you will pay for junior designers to submit their work to you. $1299 is the price to pay for top designers. There are four different levels and you can pick the one which most suits your budget for logo design rates.

In order to submit your proposal for crowdsourcing you will need to pay upfront as this platform is prefunded. However, your submission comes with a money back guarantee.

DesignCrowd

With DesignCrowd you can create a short 3 day deadline for your competition, aim for a working week or alternatively give a 10 day deadline. All you have to do is create a design brief and launch your contest. Your price range can start from $99 and you will have a money back guarantee.

Expect a reasonable logo design to begin at $100

If you ask a professional person to work on your logo design, a reasonable and very simple logo design cost will start at $100, depending on who you approach. A simple logo will mean you get a basic logo design as well as your company name.

If your lettering becomes intricate or you have a complex logo you price will increase. You will be looking at a finished product that is clear and easy to identify.

When you are looking for somebody to create your logo, don’t focus on the logo design price. Focus instead on somebody who will work alongside you throughout the design process. You want a graphic designer who understands your brand.

A good designer will be able to work with you if you have clear instructions. Ensure that your designer can offer this before you enter into a budget agreement.

Another low cost option is a logo generator. Logo generators are for those who don’t know how to use design software programs. They will reduce your logo design cost and you can often generate a generic logo for $50. You will need to have design training to generate an aesthetic logo though. With no training, your design won’t look or feel right.

A low cost logo for under $300

Some freelancers may offer you a logo for under $300. If you know the freelancer and are getting a friendly deal, this is a great option to take. If not, you might want to question why the cost of a logo design is so low. Some freelancers are just starting out and will give you a good quality product for a low price range.

However, if you found the freelancer on an anonymous site, be hesitant. You may end up with a generic logo or one which has been plagiarized. Many designs generated on 99designs pop up on low cost websites.

As with cheaper offers, remember to look for a designer who will work with you or represent your brand, and who is willing to work from a design brief. Rather than looking at a logo design rate look for professional skills and the ability to work with you towards generating a great product.

An intermediate design: between $400 and $700

If you are looking for a complex logo design which includes typesetting as well as patterns, you will need to pay at least $400. If you include extras, such as a range of designs to choose from, as well as the option to make changes until the final product meets your needs, you will pay a higher price.

You will be given business card concepts as well as envelope and letter head designs. You should ask for at least three different stationary designs within this price range.

Logos between $300 and $2500

If you have a great budget and logo design fees will not put your company out of pocket, this is the best place to be. Financially, this price range will give you a great logo design which won’t put you out of pocket.

If you have a budget within this price range, you will be able to either choose a freelancer to work with or create a contest which will attract good designers.

The gap within this price range is large. Let’s break down why and when you should pay more for a great logo design.

Why choose a freelancer

If you go for a freelancer you might have a great experience. Your end result will often be a custom designed logo which represents (and identifies) your brand. When you look for a freelancer though, you’ll need to look beyond the simple logo design fee.

Freelancers vary in quality and experience. Ask freelancers for a portfolio as well as testimonials. An even better option would be to ask a friend or colleague for a recommendation. A designer you trust is the best option to take.

Ask freelancers how much they charge (per hour or per project).
Check on how experienced a designer is as well as any testimonials they have.

A freelancer with a proven record will charge a higher amount of money. You should ask what you will get for your money as well as the time a project is expected to take.

A less experienced freelancer will likely charge you between $300 and $800. Inexperience won’t matter if you have a great design brief. If you are able to give feedback on a design as well as spend time working out what needs to be changed, an inexperienced freelancer will offer a great design rate you can work with.

However, if you don’t have the experience or the vision and are looking for extra support, consider spending at least $800 – $2000 for a reliable and experienced designer.

Dribbble

Dribble offers you the opportunity to search for designers online. You can then set the price you are willing to pay for a design as well as how experienced you will need your designer to be. Designers often set hourly rates which range between $15 and $200 per hour. Dribble offers a free basic membership but you will also have the choice of a monthly or annual membership.

Fiverr

You can find designers to work to your specifications on Fiverr. You can set your design style, the format you want your file to come in, the price you are willing to pay as well as any deadlines which must be met. Designers often charge between $25 and $150 per hour. A simple logo purchased on Fiverr will often range between $50 and $100.

Upwork

Upwork is one of the largest freelance sites in the world, with most designers charging between $10 and $200 per hour. Your basic account on Upwork is free but you can upgrade. If you have a professional account, Upwork will handpick designers for you.

You can also place money in Escrow. This means that you don’t hand any money over to your designer before your work has been completed to your satisfaction. You will need to add site transaction costs onto the costs of a logo.

Creating a logo contest

header-hero-image-3b49cfdd3e Logo Design Cost: A look at the logo design prices

If you don’t want to work with a freelancer on a one to one basis and would rather see a wide range of designs from multiple talents, a contest may be the way to go. Contests may take one or two weeks to complete, but you will see a range of creative ideas from many different designers. You can then choose the one which appeals to you most.

You will be able to engage with the designers taking part in your competition and ask for changes so that your end product meets your design brief.

You may get great designs at a range of different prices. However, if you have a large budget, great designers will be more willing to take part. If you join the gold or platinum packages on 99designs you will be assisted with writing your design brief as well as the feedback process.

Consider your logo design fee

If you have been in business for a while and you have the budget, consider investing up to $1000 when getting a logo designed. Your logo will be custom designed and will help to identify your brand over a long period of time. A high fee will attract talented designers who will be able to use colour, shape and typography in order to represent your brand.

A higher fee will give you access to a designer willing to understand your market and brainstorm a bespoke logo for your brand. You will end up with full rights to your logo as well as all fonts, colours and files.

High end logo designs at $2500 and upwards

If you are working with a great budget and can pay the cost for logo design which is highly creative and guaranteed to be of excellent quality, you could work with a design agency. However, you will pay a high price to purchase a logo. Design companies charge up to $10,000 for a unique logo.

A design agency will give you a complete branding package, will research your design and how it appeals to your market as well as analyze the competition and enable your brand to stand out. A creative team will explore your project from a range of different angles, offering multiple insights to ensure an innovative result.

A design industry will charge well above the average cost of a logo. They can often exceed the budget a small brand has. If you do choose to use a design agency check out their style, past clients and portfolio of designs.

Know what you will be getting when you purchase a logo

Your logo design cost may differ depending on the route you take, the experience of your designer and the complexity of your logo. Whichever route you take, you need to know what you will get for your money. Will you get a complete brand package? Would you receive the rights to your design? Can you make changes?

When setting your logo price, the following checklist should be a part of your contractual agreement:

Ensure that you will receive a vector design appropriate for print use as well as a design optimized for digital marketing.
Make sure that you receive all the copyrights for your design so that your logo cannot be resold or used on a different platform.

Will there be any extra costs in addition to my logo design fees?

Once you have your logo designs you may want to add to your portfolio by creating social media or business card designs. You may also want to create guidelines for your brand or create a trademark for your brand.

Ending thoughts on logo design cost

If you are starting a new business or are developing a reputation but want your customers to identify your product more easily, a great logo design will be an excellent marketing tool.

Once you understand the value of your brand or have come up with a design brief, it is time to assess your budget and how this fits in with the average logo cost at different levels of professionalism.

Once you have assessed the options available to you, your job is to make the best decision based on the logo design cost at various levels of the market. Always go for the best quality you can find. We wish you all the best in your journey towards a great logo design.

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