How Much Does a Logo Cost in 2023?

For business owners and individuals searching for a well-crafted logo, understanding the cost implications can be daunting. The question “How much does a logo cost?” lingers in the minds of many, as they strive to strike a balance between their budget and the design quality they desire.

This article provides clarity and sheds light on the pricing dynamics of logo design. By delving into the factors that influence the cost, we’ll equip you with the knowledge to make informed decisions when seeking professional logo design services.

We’ll offer practical insights to help you navigate this critical investment for your brand. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of logo design costs and discover strategies to make the most of your budget without compromising quality.

How Much Does a Logo Design Cost?

The cost of a logo can vary from free all the way up to tens of thousands of dollars. Logo costs vary greatly, depending on several important factors covered in this article. I know you’re looking for a much more specific answer, so let’s break it down into the different logo design approaches and a standard range for each.

It’s important to note that the ranges provided here are general guides. Sometimes, the price may be higher or lower than these ranges. But generally, these ranges are a good starting point to help you decide which approach is right for you and your budget.

Related reading: How Much Does a Website Cost?

DIY Logo Design

Price: Free

The cheapest option is to design your logo without involving a designer. Perhaps you have some graphic design skills and can create a logo yourself. Or maybe you decide to use a free online logo maker that does the work for you.

Note: With the incredible rate of AI development, online logo makers should continue to improve.

You could use Adobe Illustrator or another vector design program to create a custom logo from scratch for a true DIY approach. There are many different types of logos, and some of them are less complex than others. For example, designing a wordmark may be a simple, budget-friendly approach.

The are several free logo makers you can use, with varying results. Most automated logo makers ask you to enter a few details like the name of your business, industry, and the style of logo that you want. Then, they generate one or several logo design concepts for you.

Some businesses, entrepreneurs, and organizations choose a DIY approach at first and then hire a graphic designer to create a more professional logo later on when they have more money in the budget.

Pros:

Extremely budget-friendly (the lowest-cost option).
Online logo makers can generate concepts immediately, so you can create your logo today.

Cons:

Will produce the lowest-quality logo, and is not suitable for many businesses.
You probably won’t get multiple variations and file formats like you would get from a professional designer.
Potential legal issues if the logo unknowingly violates copyright, trademarks, or intellectual property.
May wind up costing you more money in the long run if you need to reprint or reproduce marketing materials, signs, merchandise, and other items when you eventually re-design your logo.

Buy a Logo Template

Price: Under $50

Another inexpensive option is to purchase a logo design template that you’ll use to generate your own logo. You can find templates at sites like Envato Market, Envato Elements, Creative Market, and Creative Fabrica. The prices of logo templates will vary, but they’re generally very affordable.

Using a logo template is simple. All you need to do is insert your business name instead of the filler text in the template. Just remember that the length of text can impact the look of the finished product, so try to find a template that would work well with the amount of text in your business name. (This is assuming the logo includes the business’s name, which isn’t always the case.)

Purchasing a logo template can be a great option for businesses that want something more professional than the free online logo makers, but don’t have the budget to hire a designer.

Be sure to check and see what file formats you’ll get if you purchase the logo template. For example, if the template comes in Adobe Illustrator (Ai) format, ensure you can access Illustrator or another program that can edit Ai files.

Pros:

Affordable and budget-friendly.
Good choice for non-designers who don’t feel comfortable creating their own logo design from scratch.
Large selection of templates available.

Cons:

The same template may have been used by multiple businesses.
You may not find a template that you like.
You’re unlikely to find an original logo design that stands out from your competitors.
With some templates, editing colors and other details can be complicated.

Buy a Cheap Logo Design

Price: $25-$300

It’s possible to get a custom logo design without breaking the bank. However, the quality can vary significantly. If you’re fortunate, you may get a professional logo at a great price, but it’s also possible that you’ll get a poor logo design that doesn’t really meet your needs.

There are a few ways to get a cheap logo from a designer:

Hire someone on Fiverr or another freelancing website.
Run a design contest.
Buy from a low-cost logo design provider.

It’s possible to get a low-cost logo design by hiring someone on Fiverr or another freelancing website. You can find designers who will work with just about any budget, but at the lower price levels, you typically get what you pay for. The designers with very low prices typically are beginners who don’t produce professional-quality results. You’re also unlikely to get multiple variations or several different file formats.

Design contests or competitions at sites like 99designs are another option. Typically, you’ll pay a few hundred dollars, and many designers will enter the contest by designing a logo for you. You’ll pick the one you like the best, and that designer will get paid.

Here at Vandelay Design, we’re not fans of design contests. Most designers who participate wind up wasting their time. As a result, talented and experienced designers usually avoid them, so the results may not be what you’re looking for.

Another option for getting an inexpensive logo is to use a low-cost provider. Many companies offer budget logo design. Typically, they offer a few packages, and you can choose the one you want.

You’ll provide them with details about your business and the type of logo you want, and they’ll create one for you. The package you choose will dictate the number of revisions you’re allowed and the file formats you receive.

Pros:

Inexpensive and budget-friendly.
It’s possible to get a quality design for a low price.
Fast turnaround (usually).

Cons:

Results are typically lower quality than you’d get from a professional designer or design agency.
The number of revisions is limited, and file formats may be limited as well.

Hire a Freelance Logo Designer

Price: $500 – $2,500

With a slightly larger budget, you can hire a freelance designer to create a quality logo design tailored to your needs while potentially costing much less than a design agency.

The cost of hiring a freelance logo designer will vary based on many factors, but they’re typically much more affordable than larger design agencies.

The results will vary since there are freelancers at different skill levels. It’s important to carefully review the portfolio of any freelancer you’re considering, as reviewing their work samples is the best way to gauge their capabilities and quality of work.

Pros:

More affordable than larger design agencies.
You’ll get a custom logo design that matches your brand’s identity.
The design process is usually more thorough than the lower-priced options covered earlier.
You can bet multiple variations of your logo.
You can get the files in whatever format you need.

Cons:

Results may vary significantly depending on the skill level of the freelancer.
The price of a skilled freelancer may be out of reach for some small businesses and organizations.

Hire a Design Agency for a Professional Logo Design

Price: $2,500+

Hiring a design agency may be the way to go if you have a large budget and want to ensure your logo looks professional and matches your brand’s image. Agencies specialize in creating custom designs for clients, and you’ll typically work with a team of creative professionals. The design process is usually very thorough, so they’ll take the time to get to know your brand’s personality before rushing into the actual design.

If you hire an agency, you’ll likely get multiple logo variations. For example, you may get color and black-and-white versions for any project or setting. You may also get a symbol and another version that includes the symbol and the name of your company. Having multiple variations helps to ensure that your brand image looks great regardless of how your logo is used (billboards, business cards, social media images, mugs, t-shirts, etc.).

While the cost will vary depending on the agency you hire and the specifics of what you need, the cost will almost always exceed the other options covered in this article. We’re listing a starting price of $2,500, but it will often be significantly more.

Pros:

You’ll get a high-quality logo design tailored to your needs.
The logo design project will be handled by experienced professionals who understand branding.
You’ll receive thorough advice and feedback on your project from experienced design professionals.
You’ll get multiple variations of your logo.

Cons:

Cost.
Slow turnaround (longest process).

Factors That Impact the Cost of Your Logo Design

Now, let’s look at the factors that can influence how much a logo design will cost.

1. The Designer’s Background and Expertise

The background and expertise of the designer or agency you hire will greatly impact the cost. Working with an experienced professional tends to be more expensive, but their results also tend to be better.

2. Where the Designer is Located

Another factor that can affect cost is where the designer is located. Designers in certain parts of the world may charge different rates for similar quality work. It’s possible that you could get a great deal by hiring a designer from a developing country where the cost of living is lower.

3. How Much Time is Involved in the Project

The amount of time involved in your project will directly impact its cost. Logo gigs on Fiverr and other freelance sites tend to be cheap, partly because the designers don’t usually dedicate much time to the project. On the other hand, higher-priced freelancers and design agencies are likely to dedicate much more time to the process.

4. How Many Concepts Are Provided

The number of concepts you receive will also influence the cost. Many logo packages offer just one concept, while others may offer three or more. Receiving multiple concepts can help you make a better decision but often result in a higher price tag.

Higher-priced freelancers and design agencies are likely to create concepts early on in the process so you can decide which direction you want to go.

5. How Many Variations and File Formats are Provided

Finally, the number of variations and file formats you receive will also affect the cost. A basic logo package may include just one version of a logo with a limited selection of file formats. In contrast, higher-priced packages may offer multiple color and black & white versions and additional file types for added versatility.

Final Thoughts on Logo Design Pricing

In conclusion, the cost of your logo design depends on many factors, and the cost can vary greatly from one designer to the next. However, the price ranges listed in this article for each approach should give you an idea of what to expect so you can choose the right option for your business. Remember that a logo is an important part of your brand’s image, so it’s worth investing the resources necessary to get one that looks great and accurately conveys your message.