A professional and insightful logo is essential for brands to effectively communicate their messages across platforms. Logos are graphical representations of the brands’ positioning, values, operations, and promises. An effective logo is clear, concise, relevant, and easy to remember for the clients.
I am going to name some brands. If you can recall their logos, then we know that the logos are highly effective.
Nike? Apple? McDonald’s? Ikea?
We don’t have to make an effort to recall their logos. Instead, they just pop-in our minds!
These brands invest endless time and thoughts to develop logos. For example, the spaces in FedEx’s logo make an arrow. The arrow represents the company’s delivery business and speed.
All brands require such logos and developing one is not easy. It requires a thorough understanding of the business, designing techniques, and expertise in designing tools. However, all entrepreneurs and enterprises worry most about the costs of developing a marvelous logo.
‘Design can be art. Design can be aesthetics. Design is so simple, that’s why it is so complicated’ – Paul Rand; Designer of IBM and ABC’s logo
Let’s make it clear that the costs vary from zero to thousands of dollars. However, you must know how much to pay for the logo you’re getting.
This article discovers the varying costs of logo designing and different platforms that make the best logos in the world!
Understanding Pricing Models
- Hourly Charges
Some designers charge by the hour. The hourly charges depend on the designer’s location, experience, platform, and other factors. The charges range between $8 and $500.
Tip: Explore the work of at least five freelance designers before hiring one.
- Fixed Rates
Some designers prefer flat charges as it attracts clients by fostering clear expectations. The designers have a range of packages for clients of different interests and budgets. Freelancers charge between $200 and $5000, designing agencies charge $500 and $4000, and famous designers will charge over $1,000,000.
- Packages
Some companies have packages that are affordable and cheaper than getting designs individually. The packages usually include designs for letterheads, envelopes, brochures, and more.
The packages also vary with the required versions and formats of the logo. Carefully choose the package, so you don’t pay for designs you don’t require.
Understanding Logo Formats and Types of Files
Logos are used on different products of various sizes, digital platforms, and marketing channels such as brochures and panaflex. Not all formats are compatible with all platforms; therefore, understand your needs before signing a contract with the designer.
Logos are usually shared in two formats; Vector and Raster. Vector files can be changed to any size without compromising on their quality. For example, vectors files can be used for your LinkedIn profile picture as well the billboard. These files can be edited and saved in different file types, such as pdf, eps, or ai. On the contrary, raster files have chances of distortion when changing the size. The files are saved as png, jpg, or gif. Since raster files are measured in dots per inch, size changes can compromise the quality.
Make sure that your graphic designer sends high-resolution vector images that are optimized for all digital platforms. Also, make sure you receive the legal copyrights for the logo.
How to Begin
The thought of having an insightful logo is overwhelming, but where does one start from? Let us discuss the process in detail!
Develop it Yourself
Designing a logo for yourself will save costs otherwise paid to graphic designers. Tools like Photoshop and Illustrator are your keys to creativity. However, these tools demand an understanding of designing techniques and styles.
Designing effective logos require an ability to transfer concepts into graphics and visuals. Implementing ideas is an art and essential for effective logo designing.
For example, you may have a wonderful idea in your mind but might not know how to implement it as a design.
Tip: Watch YouTube tutorials and learn how to operate the different designing software.
We have chosen the best tools if you decided to design your logo yourself.
- Canva
You can choose from thousands of templates and customize a logo for your brand. Canva allows downloading in GIF, PNG, PDF, and JPG formats.
Its monthly subscription costs $12.95 if you pay monthly and $9.95 if you pay annually.
- Adobe Illustrator
Illustrator is one of the most frequently used tools by graphic designers. It lets you export files in ten formats that are compatible across digital and print platforms. (Sign up for an Illustrator class to learn more about creating vector graphics).
The software costs $29.99 if you pay monthly and $19.99 if you pay annually.
- Sketch
The tool is available for Mac OS X only. It’s becoming popular with time for its wide range of designs. It lets you save your designs in EPS, PNG, JPG, SVG, and PDF formats.
However, avoid using Sketch if you need the logo in print as well, as it does not support primary colors; black, yellow, cyan, and magenta.
Tip: Let a professional design do the job if the budget is not a problem.
Purchase a Template and Customize it
Downloading an open template is very tricky, as thousands of people have access to the templates. Therefore, the chances are that your logo will resemble that of at least a few other companies. Bad idea, indeed!
Instead, buying templates saves time and money. It is the best option if you’re not a graphic designer and has a tight budget.
However, customizing the template will require a subscription of designing software like Photoshop and Illustrator.
Here are some leads to explores!
- GraphicBurger
The company offers premium quality designs for personal and commercial use, in different formats. It has a wide range of templates to choose from that are creative and inspiring.
A logo from Graphic Burger will cost between $20 and $100.
- Creative Market
The company offers two licensing options; extended for unlimited sales and standard for sales below 500. You can choose from over 45,00 templates with different prices.
Creative Market charges between $2 and $500, with most logos ranging between $19 and $39.
Try Online Logo Makers
The online logo makers let you design and customize as many logos and versions as you like. It is a platform to experiment with your creativity. The tool will analyze basic information of your company such as the type of business and target segment.
The online logo makers charge for downloading the files. Designing and experimenting are free!
Some great tools like Logo Dust and LogoJoy will cost you between $20 and $100, with PDF, EPS, SVG, and PNG files.
Trust Freelance Designers
Freelance designers will charge between $200 and $3000. However, make sure you have properly reviewed the designer’s portfolio before hiring.
- Upwork
Upwork lets you keep the payment till the freelancer completes the task. You will pay 2.75% transaction fee to Upwork and enjoy the free account. A premium account will cost you a 12.75% transaction fee and $500 for the account.
However, every freelance designer will have different per hour charges ranging between $15 and $250 per hour.
- Dribble
Choose your budget, type of work, and level of experience and Dribble will suggest suitable freelance designers for you.
The platform costs $199 if you pay monthly and $99 if you pay annually.
Designers at Dribble will cost you between $18 and $200 per hour.
- Fiverr
Choose your desired format, style, budget, and deadline on Fiverr. It offers three accounts; basic, standard, and premium with different options for downloading and designing.
The designers at Fiverr charges between $20 and $150 per hour. A logo shouldn’t cost you more than $120 on Fiverr.
Let a Design Company to the Job
Designing companies do the job better than anyone else. Your brand and target segment is thoroughly analyzed before the designing process starts. The company knows the strengths of its team members and chooses the right designer for your desired logotype.
Most of the designing agencies ask you to 50% of the charges before the work starts. You may also have to sign a contract. Remember that agencies at least a week to show you the initial drafts.
You can blindly trust Logo Design Genius for your work. The company develops creative and marvelous logos with 100% money back guarantee. Unlike other designing agencies, Logo Design Genius presents the first mockup within 36 hours. It offers three packages; basic for $45, logo illustrative for $309 and web unlimited for $3599.
The basic package gives three unique concepts and two revisions. Logo illustrative gives 2 to 3 color variations and three dedicated designers for 100% custom illustration. Web unlimited designs three banners, jQuery slider banner, complete deployment, google-friendly sitemap and more.
Experiment with Crowdsourcing
Crowdsourcing is an effective technique as you come across different designs and techniques. You will post a brief of your business details and requirements. Freelance designers will then submit their entries.
- DesignHill
The platform lets you choose the deadline so only designers who can the meet timeline apply. DesignHill requires an upfront payment.
The logo designing will cost you at least $199.
- 99designs
The website holds contests where you can help designers with your feedback. The contest has two rounds where you first choose the qualifying designers and then the final one. You will get two weeks to review the design and discuss it with your team.
99designs offers four packages that lie between $299 and $1299. You will receive the files once you have paid the money.
How Budget Varies with Design Requirements
Graphic designers charge less for simpler designs. The price increases as you wish to accommodate complex designs and concepts.
Let us help you in finding a creative logo in your budget!
If Your Budget is Between $0 and $150
We told you that you could develop the logo yourself with no costs or purchase templates that fall in your budget.
A simple logo design is priced between $100 and $150. The logo will include your company’s name and mark, but will not include insightful designs. However, simple logos can be equally effective, if the designer knows his job.
Tip: Ask the designer for two possible revisions if need be, before hiring.
If Your Budget is Between $150 and $400
It is a good budget for developing creative logos that are compatible across devices and designed from scratch. You may ask for customized letterheads in this budget.
You must expect three to four revisions and three concepts from the designer.
If Your Budget is Between $400 and $800
Your budget will get you a logo with elaborative patterns and fonts. You can ask for as many changes as you want and expect more than eight original designs.
You will receive the logo in a variety of formats, and the designer will help you understand the utility of each format.
Tip: Negotiate with the designer to get designs for envelopes and cards.
If Your Budget is Above $1000
You will get a team of designers who will explore your brand and develop an innovative logo with high-end typographic and shapes. The team will invent endless efforts and time into the logo to make it a true representation of your brand.
The designing team will customize letterheads, envelops, and other branding items. The logo will be delivered in different sizes to fit various digital platforms.
Expect a complete branding package when your budget exceeds $5000.
Designing is intelligence made visible’ – Alina Wheeler; Author of Designing Brand Identity
Logo designing is complex and requires a thorough analysis of the brand, designing tools, strokes, color schemes, and more. Although developing a logo yourself saves costs, it lacks the professional expertise of a designer. You may not know the right formats, size variations, or font styles. Also, buying templates is easier, but chances of resemblance with other companies are high.
Hence, trusting a designing agency like Logo Design Genius will help you in getting an effective, insightful, and beautiful logo.
Are you ready to get your logo designed?
