When we are talking about branding and marketing, many of us think about the logo first. After all, a logo is one of the most important symbols we will ever create for our company because it will be the first thing people will see every time they think of your brand. However, having a strong logo is only the beginning. Knowing how much it costs to design a logo and what are you getting for your money can help you determine whether or not the investment is worth it. In this article, we will break down the costs of designing a logo and give you a general idea of what you can expect to earn back.
Cost Of Materials
The cost of materials is one of the major expenses when designing a logo. This includes things like paper, pens, and sticky notes. Calculate how much you may need and add approximately how much you will spend on ink and paper alone. You will also need to think about how much you are going to spend on other equipment like computers and software.
Paper is one of the most basic and fundamental materials used in graphic design. There are many types of paper available, and most offices have a large selection to choose from. You should look for duplex or triplex printing for your materials because this will dramatically reduce your costs. If you do a lot of your work on a computer, you can always find a scanner and printer near your location so you do not have to travel all the time to get your materials printed. Designing a logo on paper is very cheap, and it is widely available.
Cost Of Measuring Tools
We always need to be thinking about measurement when we are designing a logo. You will need to measure the dimensions of your project and ensure everything fits perfectly within the bounds of the logo. There are many tools available to help you do this. Some of the more common ones are Photoshop and Illustrator. You can also use software measuring tools like CorelDRAW or Sketch. To save money, you can take your logo to a professional tool shop to have them measure it for you. However, it is essential that you understand the dimensions of your logo before you leave, otherwise, you may end up with an incomplete or inaccurate product. Measuring tools range in price from $20 to $100, so it is worth the money to have professional help if you are not confident to use the digital tools yourself.
Cost Of Design Software
The software we use for designing is another major cost when generating a logo. There are many different types of software available, each with its perks and quirks. In most cases, your designer will advise you on which one to use based on your specific needs. The cost of design software can vary from around $500 to $2000 a month depending on what you need. If you are looking to design a logo and need something simple and straightforward, then you can find free or open-source software that will do the trick. However, if you are looking to create a complex design with multiple colors, use a design software that is more expensive but gives you a quality product.
Cost Of Post-Production
Once your design is complete, it is time to add the finishing touches. There are many different types of templates and branding guidelines available to help you make your logo look perfect. Some of the items you may need include getting a quality printer for your materials, cropping any unnecessary elements out of your photos, and adding a gloss or sheen to any of your logo’s to make it pop. Once again, you can always get a professional to do this for you as part of the design fee, but this will add to your overall costs. Post-production will add another $150 to $500 to your costs.
Total Cost
Adding it all up, we can see that the cost of materials alone will be around $850. This does not include the cost of the meandering to get to this point, so it is critical to think about the return on investment if you are considering this option. With the right materials and tools, it is possible to design a logo for less than $500, but as we mentioned before, this will depend on many variables. If you have an in-house designer, this may be an option worth considering depending on your project needs. However, if you are looking to hire someone to help you, the costs may be higher but still relatively low compared to other options available.
As you can see, each of these costs adds up. If you are looking for a quick and easy way to make some extra cash, you can get one of these kits and start designing logos immediately. However, if you are looking to make a long-term investment in your business, it is advised to proceed cautiously and only after you have considered all the pros and cons.