What would you pay for logo design?

[Orangutan Amy]

Hi guys,

Just doing a bit of research, your feedback would be greatly appreciated . I would like to put my years of Graphic Design experience back to work! I am thinking of setting up a website where customers can buy basic logo design packages online at very low prices.

I just wanted to know (especially from new start up owners) what sort of budget you set aside for your logo design and would a low price put you off? Also would you expect to be able to get your stationery design and printing in the same place as your logo?

Thanks in advance
Amy

 

[J-Wholesale]

Hi guys,
I just wanted to know (especially from new start up owners) what sort of budget you set aside for your logo design and would a low price put you off? Also would you expect to be able to get your stationery design and printing in the same place as your logo?

I normally pay about £200-300, and it's never occurred to me to have a logo designed by a stationery printer. There are many local printers nearby, but I wouldn't trust them to design a logo from scratch. I usually go with one of the sites like Design Outpost, where you have a number of designers coming up with different ideas.

I know that there are people out there who'd do it for £30, but as far as I'm concerned that only gets you 30 minutes work.

 

[Eagle]

^ +1

Amy, the golden rule is not to undersell yourself. Charge for your time, your skill level, your experience and most of all; what you feel comfortable with.

Mark

 

[bakeja]

There's a lot of competition in the online design marketplaces like elance (which I use) and you will get a lot of bids at around 50$ for a simple logo design. You can ask designers to quote for a full stationery set with logo, business card, letterhead etc for a bit more money. Good luck.

 

[Orangutan Amy]

Thanks guys all very helpful

 

[profitxchange]

If you aim at the bottom feeders (cost) then you are unlikely to justify your worth. Aim higher and offer the complete package stationery marketing, brochures etc to SME's where branding matters more. Most businesses should refresh their logo etc every 5 - 10 years so you can market your self to new and old clients. expect to quote around £2-5000 for the full package and a print run.

 

[OPC-Oxford]

PM'd you Amy.

 

[CarmaCreative]

Amy,

Definitely do not sell yourself short here! A client should never downplay their identity because it can be their most important asset. A great logo that works for the client will make their professional image shine and become a long term investment.

Look at other graphic design companies and go for the median price is my advice. Also be specific with what you offer, eg two drafts through to five drafts at different price levels and another price for logo applied to stationery.

Also look to form a good relationship with a local printer and they should offer you trade discount. It is usual practice to charge modest print handling fee on to the client too.

Good luck,
Phil

 

[jaffab]

I got to say, I am always glad I am not in the design business. Take a look at 99designs.com - its a logo design competition service, where you get lots of choice of custom designs for a hunded dollars or so, and pick which one you want to use - its the service I always use.

It may be worth seeing on the site how much others are willing to pay (give as a prize). But why all these sites only deal in USD, is beyond me.

 

[robokoder]

If you just want immediate work, there are (as have been mentioned) online services that allow you to compete for work with other designers. Some will be more specialised and professional, with higher average costs, but there are others (Get a Freelancer et al) where there's lots of work but also very cheap competition (probably best avoid).

Ideally though, if you can invest some money, think about avoiding those sites and building your own brand and developing personal relationships with clients

 

[Eagle]

The problem with all these 'crapola-tastic' competion logo sites is that you rarely if ever have direct and private dialogue with your designer. That's vital I think.

 

[Zeal]

Totally agree Mark.

As I mentioned on another logo thread, Key to good design is communication.

 

[sell]

^ +1

Amy, the golden rule is not to undersell yourself. Charge for your time, your skill level, your experience and most of all; what you feel comfortable with.

Mark

Sorry Mark but where have you been Of Late.To been in business today we all have to undersell !! just to be in business!! There was antime when there was a golden rule in business But Not Anymore?:| please I really would like to know what business you are in?:| Dog Eat Dog !!! If Not You Will Not Be In Business For Long. Sorry But That Is How It Is.

 

[Zeal]

Sorry Mark but where have you been Of Late.To been in business today we all have to undersell !! just to be in business!! There was antime when there was a golden rule in business But Not Anymore?:| please I really would like to know what business you are in?:| Dog Eat Dog !!! If Not You Will Not Be In Business For Long. Sorry But That Is How It Is.

Sell, Mark is a very good LOGO designer.

So what your saying is.... "If you don't undersell your self, you won't be in business long"?

What a load of tosh

 

[debbidoo]

^ +1

Amy, the golden rule is not to undersell yourself. Charge for your time, your skill level, your experience and most of all; what you feel comfortable with.

Mark

Seconded

Amy, I've seen the quality of your work (we have a mutual client ) and based on what I've seen, I wouldn't expect you to come cheap. You interpret every brief perfectly and are HUGELY talented - so like Mark said, don't undersell yourself

If my logo designer can also design my company stationery and organise printing at competitive prices, to me this is a valuable service - it would save me the bother of organising it all myself.

Hope this helps and I'm really glad you're designing again - I'm a big fan of your work

Debs x

 

[Mass Appeal Designs]

I sell on Elance and compete with a lot of Indian companies who basically use clipart for nearly everything, if your good and have a reputation for quality you can charge higher, if your new and building up clients start cheap and build yourself up

 

[Joe E]

Sorry Mark but where have you been Of Late.To been in business today we all have to undersell !! just to be in business!! There was antime when there was a golden rule in business But Not Anymore?:| please I really would like to know what business you are in?:| Dog Eat Dog !!! If Not You Will Not Be In Business For Long. Sorry But That Is How It Is.

Can't agree! it is the other way round if you offer so much value the price is secondary and I see evidence everyday that is the way it's going to roll in business.
If you constantly undersell your skills and your time you devalue them and your company so you won't be in business you'll just be a busy fool.

That's my take for what its worth

 

[Eagle]

Sorry Mark but where have you been Of Late.To been in business today we all have to undersell !! just to be in business!! There was antime when there was a golden rule in business But Not Anymore?:| please I really would like to know what business you are in?:| Dog Eat Dog !!! If Not You Will Not Be In Business For Long. Sorry But That Is How It Is.

And you are...?

 

[jaffab]

An interesting discussion. Slightly off topic from the original post, but interesting none the less. Its that fine balance, between value, cost and features/quality. If it was just cost, then we wuld all be driving Ford Ca's or the Tata cheap car. But if it was just quality, we would all be driving BMWs or Mercs.

The problem (as I see it), is making people aware of the difference. Do you bid low to get the business, or bid on what you think you are worth, and hope that (a) you get the oppertunity to show why you are the BMW/Merc and (b) the other guy doesnt come along and offer the same product/skills/service for less than you (even if they end up not delivering).

I agree, with both points. If you drop to low, you will be busy earning nothing. If you charge too much, you will be sitting at home watching TV wondering where all the work went.

A difficult balance.