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How much does a Graphic Designer cost?

Average Price
£20 - £100 per hour

How much will I pay for a Graphic Designer?

Want to hire a graphic designer but not sure of the cost? Read our handy guide to find out how much your graphic designer will cost for services like logo design, business cards and similar projects.

What is a Graphic Designer?

Graphic design is a visual art form that encompasses illustration, typography, photo manipulation and motion design. A graphic designer can work with both physical and digital mediums to create items such as logos, posters, business cards, brochures, letterheads, canvas prints, book covers, signage, social media graphics, packaging and more. 

Usually, a graphic designer will have undergone formal training, often including a university degree. They may also have enhanced their skills working at a design studio or printing company. A graphic designer should possess an excellent eye for detail and be able to creatively interpret a brief. 

How much does a Graphic Designer cost? 

Minimum cost (per hour) £20
Maximum cost (per hour) £100

The pricing structure of graphic designers is complex, as they may bill per item, per hour or give you a package price. The fee also is much higher for the most experienced freelancers or if you go to a design studio. If looking to hire on an hourly basis, you should expect to pay between £20 and £100 per hour depending on the level of experience the graphic designer has. 

Price considerations

When you work with a graphic designer you quite literally are starting with a blank canvas! The scope of your project will ultimately determine the price, but here are some other points to consider influencing price too: 

  • Type of graphic design service 

  • Item type 

  • Design style 

  • Intended purpose 

  • Experience of designer

  • Project scope 

  • Revisions

Type of Graphic Design service

Graphic design comes in all shapes and sizes, and the price can vary significantly depending on the type of service you require.

On average, social media covers are the cheapest items to produce starting at just £30. The most expensive item is logo design which can be as much as £500. The reason for this is because your logo will be used on every single piece of marketing material you produce for many years to come. It communicates to your customers exactly who it is you are and will set the tone for the kind of clientele you want to attract. 

Type of graphic design serviceHighest average price Lowest average price
Logo design£500£100
Book cover£300£120
Brochure design£400£250
Business cards£100£50
Signage£350£120
Social media covers£50£30

Item type

Graphic designers can create a very wide range of printed or digital items. It’s a good idea to research what would work best for your project before you contact a designer, though they can give you help and advice if needed. If you are unsure, then check out some local printing companies to see what type of items they can produce for you with your design. 

Design style

It’s also good to know that every graphic designer is unique in terms of their style and process. Therefore, if you have an ongoing need for design, it’s best to keep working with the same designer rather than to keep chopping and changing. This is especially the case if you are happy with their work, as graphic designers will also frown at being asked to copy existing styles or pieces.

Intended purpose

Your graphic designer is going to need to know where the work will be used because this will influence their design choices in response. 

For example, if you are having a piece of signage made the text will need to be large and bold so that it can be seen easily by passing traffic. Likewise, a business card is only the size of a credit card so the challenge is to make sure the text and graphics are legible. 

Some items such as a logo may need to work at smaller and larger scales. Your graphic designer should provide you with a range of file formats such as eps, pdf, jpg, png, etc so that the artwork can be used for a variety of purposes. 

Experience of designer

A highly experienced graphic designer will cost more money than someone who is newly graduated. However, when it comes to the visuals representing your business it’s imperative to have an expert eye dictate proceedings. 

While not everyone has the budget for a top design studio, always make sure you are dealing with a professional before you start. Their portfolio as well as asking about their experience will guide you with this. 

Project scope

The scope of the project will be the biggest determiner of the cost. Your graphic designer is going to need to know upfront how much work is required so that they can give you an accurate quote. It’s best not to tell them how long you think the work will take, as no two designers are the same. Even if a project is quick to turnaround, it could well be the case that it’s because the designer is extremely experienced, and with that wisdom comes an increased price. 

The best way to approach a project scope is to be upfront about your requirements. For example, a complete branding package that includes a logo, business stationery, signage, etc. It’s also ok to add more items on as the project progresses, but be aware that this will come at an increased cost. Your designer may be booked for future assignments, so where possible tell them all the details in the initial brief. 

Revisions

Graphic design is a two-way process between the designer and the client. It’s natural that when you are first presented with the design you may want to tweak some of the details. Before you enter into a contract, your designer will specify how many changes are included within the quote. If you require excessive changes then your designer may need to bill you for these separately. 

By giving the designer a very clear brief, you will ensure you are both on the same page. This will save you both time and ultimately money on endless revisions.

Is it worth hiring a Graphic Designer?

First impressions count for a lot, and if your marketing materials are poorly designed or don’t get the message across effectively, then they could lose you valuable business. Even if your project isn’t business-related, having the skilful eye of a graphic designer to produce the work is well worth it. After all, graphic designers study for years and are constantly refining their technique. They understand colour, layout and typography and will ultimately give you a better outcome versus an untrained eye attempting the same. 

From logos to posters and even custom artwork for your home, graphic designers can do it all. Find graphic designers near you with Bark and bring your project to life.

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