How much does logo design cost?
Every logo is different, which makes it impossible to give one price for getting a logo. This being the case, all graphic designers use different methods to determine the cost for logo design. While there are sites out there that claim to give you a logo for $5 or DIY logo makers. If you are serious about your company you will want to hire a professional logo designer. An experienced logo designer will charge anywhere from $250 on the very low end to over $3000 for a well-established artist.
We will describe some of the most common methods for logo design pricing below.
Depending on where you will want to use your logo, which should be on every item associated with your business. You will probably want your logo to look good in black and white as well as in color. Make sure you request both versions from a designer.
There are three common types of logo pricing used in the design industry today.
- Hourly Rate
- Fixed Price
- Package Rates
Charging Hourly
A very common way for graphic designers to charge is by the hour. Depending on the experience, location, and many other factors, the hourly rate can be anywhere from $8.00 (outsourced overseas) to $500.00 per hour (For a high-level consultant)! This is a huge difference but I have seen both and just about everything in between. See Below for common rates.
The important thing is to make sure the logo designer is worth the rate they charge. Always check with the designer’s past clients and remember – you really do “get what you pay for”.
Flat Fee Pricing
Many graphic design firms will give you a set price to deliver a logo design. They will usually give you a few variations to choose from. Make sure you have a thorough and complete requirements list before you begin the project. Make sure you get it in writing so you both have clear expectations.
Flat Fee Logo Design Examples:
- Professional Agency: $1000 – $5000
- Independent Firm: $500 – $3000
- Freelancer: $250 – $2500
- Offshore Designer: $100 – $250
- World Famous Designer $1,000,000
Logo Package Rates
Many graphic design firms will have pre-made packages that are usually cheaper than asking for several things piece by piece. Many graphic designers will have a package rate then allow you to request customization at an additional charge. Packages will usually include multiple versions of the logo. Files in bitmap (PNG,GIF,JPG) and vector (AI,EPS,SVG) format. Different resolutions, grayscale and black and white versions. And often they will include a business card design or some other collateral designs that integrate the logo.
It is critical to get a vector version of your logo if you plan on using it on large formats like banners, posters, and billboards. Vector art can scale up without losing resolution. A bitmap becomes pixelated (distorted) when you enlarge it too much, but it can deliver smoother gradients and more subtle color variations.
Logo Design Contests
You may have seen design contest websites that offer to get you 50 or more logo designs for you to choose from and you only pay for the one you want. You can read more about how design contest work here. In a nutshell, you will usually get a generic result that looks like clip art, delivered by an inexperienced designer.
Choosing a Logo Designer
There has been a huge trend in corporate America to outsource IT and logo development work overseas because of the drastically lower rates that people will work for in countries like India, South America, and eastern Europe. Large companies have built offices in these locations to enjoy the low cost of the local labor pool, this can help their bottom line. The big difference between a large company using an overseas workforce and small company or individual is that the large companies usually have management in place to (*attempt to) keep things running smooth.
If you are thinking about outsourcing, you should read this article: Should I outsource my logo project?
Beyond the Logo: Building a Brand
Another thing to consider is that you will likely need more than just a logo. And your logo will appear in many places. The obvious places are on your business cards and website. But you will also want black and white versions if you plan on creating invoices, letterhead, and envelopes. Additionally, you will want to come up with a color scheme for your company. It should be well thought out and tested before deciding on hiring a logo designer. Your logo may be the personification of your company identity, but it is not the only identifying image.
A good logo designer will have experience with many aspects of the design and implementation of your entire identity as a company. If you are just looking to get a quick and cheap logo created, there are certainly many designers out there that can help you. But when you get serious about creating a brand for your company, you will want someone with more experience. if you are also planning on getting a website.
A basic guide for about 10 hours of design work
Student: $100 – $200 ($10-$20/hour)
Freelancer: $200 – $1000 ($20-$100/hour)
Expert Consultant: $500 – $2000 ($50-$200/hour)
Company: $700 – $2500 ($70-$250/hour)
Common hourly rates:
- Student/Offshore: $10-$30/hour
- Freelancer: $35-$100/hour
- Expert Consultant: $50-$200/hour
- Company: $75-$150/hour
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