Choosing the right design service is a task that seems simple enough, but one that needs careful thought, in actuality. It’s because graphic design isn’t just about making things look good, it has to work to your brand’s advantage. When done right, design can catapult your business to dizzying heights: increase brand awareness, build trust and authority, and boost conversions. Here is a guide to help you understand your options and find the best graphic design service.
The Different Types of Graphic Design Services
There are three main types of graphic design services you can choose from. They are as follows:
Freelance Designers
To begin with, these are the individual graphic designers who work independently. This means they aren’t tied to a single employer or company. They typically handle more than one client, splitting their time among them. Additionally, these designers mostly have their own schedules and work from home or in a shared workspace.
Furthermore, freelance graphic designers work on a per-project basis, hourly, or on a retainer. To hire one, you can go to online marketplaces such as Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer.com, and other similar channels. So, if you’re looking for a cost-effective way to get graphic design, hiring a freelance designer is an excellent option.
Design Agencies
On the contrary, design agencies are full-service design teams that offer more than just graphic design. These provide branding, web design, marketing, and packaging design services, among many others. These companies typically comprise project managers, account leads, and dedicated design teams. They handle everything from concept to execution.
That said, design agencies are suitable for businesses that need comprehensive branding, long-term marketing initiatives, or multi-platform campaigns. Not only that, these firms can handle larger projects, which explains the higher price tag they command.
On-Demand Graphic Design Services
On the other hand, subscription-based or on-demand graphic design services work on a flat-rate, unlimited-design business model. For a fixed monthly fee, you’ll get as many design requests as you can from its team of professional graphic designers. You can request a wide array of design types, including logos, web/app designs, social media graphics, and marketing materials.
In addition, these design services offer unlimited revisions, allowing you to edit your design as many times as you need at no extra cost. Moreover, their typically quick turnaround times make them an excellent choice for companies looking for speed and scalability in their designs.
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The Pros and Cons of These Design Services
And so, to help you decide which design service to go for, here are the pros and cons of each:
Freelance Designers
Pros
- Affordable: freelance designers usually cost less than agencies or on-demand design services.
- Flexible: You can hire a freelancer with specific skills for one particular project.
- Expertise: A freelancer with niche expertise allows you to get a specialist in a particular design style or medium.
Cons
- Availability issues: They may not always be available when you need them.
- Slower turnaround: A single designer can only take on so much. This can cause delays that stem from juggling you with other clients.
Design Agencies
Pros
- Strategic work: Agencies offer more services than freelancers and on-demand services can.
- Full team support: Composed of strategists, art directors, and project managers working together for you.
- Brand consistency: Proven to provide a polished, cohesive visual identity across all your platforms.
Cons
- Expensive: Costs include overhead expenses.
- Longer timelines: Their larger teams work on structured processes, which can be time-consuming.
On-Demand Graphic Design Services
Pros
- Predictable costs: The flat monthly rates make budgeting easier, with no surprise charges.
- Quick turnaround: Most offer 24 to 48-hour project deliveries.
- Scalable: Let you adjust the level of service as your design requirements grow.
Cons
- Not suitable for one-off projects: The subscription fee is not cost-effective if you need just one or two designs.
- May not be ideal for hyper-specialized work: Not every on-demand service offers highly niche designs, like animation or 3D modeling.
Cost Comparison
To further help you decide on which among the three design types to choose, let’s do a cost comparison:
Freelance Designers
These are their typical rates, which vary depending on experience, niche, and location:
- Hourly rate: $25-$150
- Project-based: $100 for a basic logo, $500 for branding packages
- Retainer fees: $500-$3,000 per month (depending on expertise and workload)
Design Agencies
On the flip side, these design services typically work on high-value retainers or large project contracts.
- Retainer: $2,000-$10,000 a month
- Project-based: $5,000-$50,000+
On-Demand Design Services
Conversely, for subscription-based design services, the fees are typically as follows:
- Monthly fee: $300-$1,000
When to Use Each Design Service
To get a good grasp of what you really need, here are the situations when you should use each design type:
Hire a freelance designer when:
- You have a simple, one-off design project
- Your budget is limited
- You want to manage the project yourself
Use a design agency when:
- You need a complete branding service or have complex campaigns
- You’re looking for a strategy partner, long-term
- You can afford premium service
Use an on-demand graphic design service when:
- You need a constant supply of designs
- You’re looking for a cost-effective alternative to a design agency
- You need your designs ASAP
What to Look for in a Design Service
If these aren’t enough to help you decide, below are the characteristics you need to look for when choosing your design partner:
- Design Style: A strong and diverse portfolio is your clearest indicator of a designer or team’s capabilities.
- Communication and Collaboration: Choose a design service that is responsive, proactive, and works together with you.
- Turnaround Times: Meeting deadlines is essential, so make sure your design services offer fast project delivery times.
- Pricing Transparency: Watch out for hidden fees that can derail your budget.
Why Many Businesses are Switching to Penji
If there’s one reason we can give you why many businesses are switching to on-demand design services like Penji, it’s this: the sweet blend of high-quality work and affordability. This is precisely why Penji was established: to give startups and small businesses a level playing field when it comes to graphic design.
Our unlimited graphic design and revisions allow you to get the exact designs you want and need. Click here to watch our quick demo video, or send your first design request today!
About the author
Celeste Zosimo
Celeste is a former traditional animator and now an SEO content writer specializing in graphic design and marketing topics. When she's not writing or ranking her articles, she's being bossed around by her cat and two dogs.
