Graphic design cost can vary depending on the designer’s experience and if the work you need done is part of a package or piecemeal. Here at Pixels & Pieces, I offer specific packages but I am also available for custom work that is priced on a per project basis. I am a solo-preneur with lots of flexibility to discuss your budget. Choosing a designer is about price but it is also about fit. You’ll want to choose someone who has a style you like and can meet your needs. If you are looking to save a few bucks, do some thinking on your own about what you want ahead of time. No one knows your company better than you and writing down some thoughts or even a sketch before hiring a designer will help move things along. Try and be as succinct as possible in your communication, the more a designer needs to guess what you want or like, the more it will cost you in the long run.
Per hour projects
If you need a small item designed like a social ad, a brochure or poster, you can expect the cost for your project to be based on a graphic designer’s hourly rate. An hourly rate is based on the designer’s years of experience. You can expect quotes that are not only based on a graphic designer’s designing time but time interacting with you on calls, dealing with proofs and liaising with printers and other professionals. The advantage to per hour project is that you can set a budget and stick to it.
Here’s what you can expect for a per hour rate:
- Entry/Mid-level: $20-30+/hour
- Expert: $50+/hour
Package deals
Branding projects are the most common graphic design activity listed as a package. Branding projects involve a bunch of smaller pieces (logos and also business cards, slide templates, facebook cover pages, etc..) and sometimes it’s easier to put all of the activities into one package. Graphic designers and agencies also want to show you that branding is more than just a logo and a lot of thought and feeling goes into creating a brand for your business. You can get a price break hiring a solo-preneur or you can go full on at an agency. The more brains on deck, the higher the price. The advantage of buying a package is that you pay one price no matter how long it takes to get the work done.
Branding packages can look like this:
- Solo-preneur/small company: $1000+
- Large agency: $3000+
Additional costs
Some people may think “well, my son/niece/neighbour drew a logo for me and that’s all I need”. Or “I can just hop online and grab a good logo for $5”. Not true. Your company needs a solid brand so you can communicate to potential customers, to be recognized in your industry, and impress potential business partners and lenders. Good graphic design is done by professionals who understand colours and fonts and feelings but also different possible applications of your brand in different situations. They also take the time to get to know you and your company. There are great programs out there right now like Canva or PicMonkey who have lots of lovely templates but a computer can’t replace a human connection. By trying to cut corners on important things like your logo, you’ll get a low quality product and you may not always get what you need. Have you thought about different brand opportunities like t-shirts, signage and swag? Some t-shirt companies charge per colour (which will hurt with your 5 colour logo!). Is your logo the right resolution for a business card and a full size banner? Save your self frustration later and do it right the first time.
How I am different
At the end of the day, hiring a graphic designer is about fit. Does their package fit your needs? Your budget? Does their art and communication style jive with yours? Some designers (like me) will go the extra mile for you. I will read what you give me to make pretty. I will give you all of the files you need to complete future projects. I will give you honest advice about your brand- at no extra cost.
