A logo is an essential aspect of your business’ identity. It’s the first impression customers have of your business. As such, it’s important to carve out a budget for a business logo so that your business comes off as professional and trustworthy. How you acquire the logo design is up to you, but know that you have a couple options.
You can either use an online logo maker tool, or you can hire a graphic designer. Hiring a professional logo designer should cost anywhere from $99 to $1,000 or more depending on your needs, your budget, and your design requirements. You will find that there are different approaches logo designers take when it comes to charging for their designs. Below is a breakdown of the factors that affect the price range for a professional logo design.
Pricing Options When Hiring a Logo Designer
Set Rate
Some logo designers charge a set rate for designing a logo. A set rate is calculated by the designer and includes the estimated number of hours it will take to complete the project, the complexity of the project, what additional image file formats or features are needed, and the number of designs (if applicable). Intricate or large projects will cost more.
An example of a large project might be a brand with multiple locations across a region wants to completely rebrand in celebration of being in business for over 100 years. The rebrand will include a customized logo with a new slogan, as well as a custom-tailored logo icon and cover photo for their social media pages. Each location will also need to swap out their current logo on their storefront and ensure that the new design looks as it should across all mediums. The company may also want the designer to create brochures or a promotional video, which will be added to the set rate cost.
Usually opting for a set rate for your logo design will end up being more affordable than hourly rate charges. Just make sure to read over the entire contract before agreeing to work with the designer, as sometimes there may be additional and otherwise unforeseen costs.
Hourly Rate
While design firms or branding agencies may charge a set rate for a logo design, freelance designers or contractors will generally charge an hourly rate. Hourly rate charges include the initial consultation and any other contact with the client during the project, the initial logo design work, edits made to the original design, and any extra requests the client might have, such as creating media or branding copy.
Hiring a logo designer at an hourly rate will be more beneficial for businesses who have a clear idea of what they want their new logo to look like. If you have a clear marketing and branding objective and don’t foresee any issues occurring during the design process, then hourly rate work will end up being a much more affordable option. It is also perfect for those who maybe need just a few tweaks to their near perfect logo, or only want a logo design and no additional branding work.
You can expect the cost for an hourly rate to be anywhere between $30 and $150, with the most common being $85 for a seasoned designer. Keep in mind that generally the lower the hourly rate cost, the less experienced a designer might be. Always ask to see a portfolio of their past work to determine if you think the designer will be a good fit for your branding needs.
Packaged Options
Logo design packages or bundles is a new concept to the design world, but one that is quickly gaining traction. Customers like options; not every project is the same, nor is everyone’s branding budget or marketing needs the same. Some businesses may only need the bare minimum for their logo design, which may include only one or two image files and just a couple of revisions. Others will need a more inclusive package that allows for an unlimited number of revisions and all available file types.
Logo design packages are most commonly found online when searching for professional logo design services. If you do your research, you will find that the packaged option prices range from $99 to over $1,000, with a median price tag of around $400. Every package option will always include an initial consultation, the presentation of a few logo design concepts, at least one revision, and at least one image file format.
It is recommended that you don’t opt for the cheapest package available, as you may find later in the design process that you need additional files, or perhaps you want more image files for customized promotional products and your website. Don’t hesitate to ask for details regarding what the differences are between package options. Below is an example of a breakdown of various logo design packages:
Choosing The Right Logo Designer
With so many professional designers to choose from, it can be overwhelming to sift through a large list – especially if you have never hired a designer before. Below are a few tips regarding how to choose the best designer for your needs and your budget.
- Word of mouth. One of the best ways to find a logo designer is by asking a fellow business owner. If you have a friendly relationship with a competitor, perhaps ask them which designer they used. Look at business logos around your home town or city. If a design catches your eye, ask the owner who created their logo. Word of mouth is a powerful reference. In fact, an estimated 74% of individuals revealed that word of mouth influenced their purchasing decisions.
- Reviews. Head online and conduct a search for a professional logo designer. Typing in the phrases “professional logo designer” “logo designer” or “logo design services” will display results that will lead you to a company that creates business logos and offers branding services. Once you have a few names written down, it’s time to head to a third party review site such as G2 and read what fellow business owners have to say about their experience with a specific designer.
- Portfolio. If you have narrowed down your list of potential designers down to a handful, then it’s time to start approaching them and asking for a portfolio. Designers that cannot present you with an extensive portfolio should be a warning that they are either just starting off in the business or they require you to hire them before sending a portfolio. We highly recommend choosing a designer with an extensive portfolio.
- Years of experience. Just as you would want a heart surgeon to have experience before they operate, so too should you want your logo designer to have experience. Seasoned designers have a better eye for color combinations, font types, and overall layout of a logo. One thing you may take for granted is how well an experienced designer can handle a difficult branding project. Designers with more than 5 years of experience will also not hesitate to recommend design changes that they believe will benefit your brand in the long run.
- Additional services. Choosing a logo designer that can provide additional branding services is always a win. Always ask if they can produce more branding creative such as videos, or even create a custom website for your business. You’d be surprised how well-rounded most freelance designers and design agencies can be. Tacking on a few more branding services with the same individual or company will end up saving you more money in the long run as you may be able to ask for a packaged deal or discount.
Now that you have an estimate of how much a logo designer costs, it’s time to educate yourself on what exactly a logo designer can do for your brand. Learn more about what a logo designer does!
