How Much Does Professional Graphic Design Cost in 2026?

TLDR: In 2026, the cost of graphic design service will depend on what you need. Freelancers usually charge $20 to $150 an hour, while agencies can charge $5,000 or more for a single project. Penji is an example of a subscription service that offers unlimited graphic design for $499 a month. These services have set prices and quick turnarounds.

How do you plan your money for professional graphic design? It can be hard to keep track of everything you need for good work but you also need to keep an eye on your bottom line. What is good news? You have choices. Knowing how much graphic design costs can help you make better choices, whether you’re starting a new brand or growing your marketing. In 2026, the design world will have freelancers, agencies, subscription services, and in-house designers, each with their own prices and trade-offs.

This guide tells you how much you can expect to pay. You’ll learn about different ways to set prices, the most important cost factors, and how to pick the best one for you. Let’s look at the numbers.

What Influences the Cost of Graphic Design Service?

Not all design projects are the same. The cost of graphic design service will depend on a number of things in 2026.

Project Complexity

A full brand identity is much more expensive than just a logo. The more difficult your project is, the more money it will cost. Making multi-page websites, detailed packaging, and full branding campaigns takes more time, skill, and money.

Designer’s Skills

New designers charge less than those who have been doing it for a while. Experienced designers are worth more because they know how to think strategically, have good skills, and have a history of success. You’re not just paying for the design. You are paying for knowledge that helps you get things done.

Location

It matters where your designer lives. Designers in big cities or areas with high costs charge more than designers in smaller markets. But remote work has made things more fair by giving you access to talented people all over the world at prices that are competitive.

Revisions and Turnaround Time

Extra money is needed for rush projects. Endless rounds of revision do too. Most designers include a certain number of changes in their prices. Want more? Expect to have to pay more. When designers put your project ahead of others, faster timelines also cost more.

If you know these things, you can set realistic goals and plan your budget. Now, let’s look at the different ways you can find graphic designers to work for you.

How Do Freelancers Price Their Graphic Design Services?

Freelancers are a good choice for small budgets or one-time projects. They come in a lot of different styles and are flexible, but the prices and quality are very different.

Hourly Rate

Most freelancers charge between $20 and $150 an hour. Entry-level designers make between $20 and $50 an hour, while more experienced designers can make $75 to $150 or more. Hourly rates are a good choice for projects that are ongoing and don’t have a clear scope.

Pricing Based on the Project

A lot of freelancers like flat fees. A simple logo could cost between $300 and $800. A website design could run $5,000–$10,000 or higher. With project-based pricing, you know how much it will cost up front, but make sure you understand what’s included.

Benefits of Hiring Freelancers

• Cheap for small jobs
• Talk directly to the designer
• Access to a wide range of styles and specialties

Drawbacks of Hiring Freelancers

• The quality is very different.
• Limited availability for ongoing work
• If your designer isn’t available, you won’t have a backup.

Freelancers are great for certain jobs, but if you need design work all the time, they might not be able to keep up. That’s when other choices come into play.

What Should You Expect to Pay for Agency Design Services?

Design agencies do strategic work of a high quality. They are great for big projects that need a whole team, but they cost a lot.

Prices for Agencies

Depending on the size and difficulty of the project, agencies usually charge between $5,000 and $50,000 or more. For instance, branding projects can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000. The cost of designing a website usually starts at $10,000 and goes up from there.

When to Hire an Agency: 

Agencies are a good choice when you need

• Full branding or rebranding
• Big campaigns with lots of things to do
• Strategic input along with design execution
• A team just for your project

Advantages of Hiring Agencies

• Strategic output of high quality
• Full-service skills
• Set timelines and processes

Disadvantages of Hiring Agencies

• Costly, especially for small businesses
• Longer wait times
• Less room for smaller, ongoing tasks

Agencies are great for big projects, but they might not be the best choice for everyday design needs. If you need regular design help but don’t want to pay a lot for it, subscription services are a great option.

How Do Graphic Design Subscription Services Compare?

Services that offer graphic design on a subscription basis, like Penji, are changing how businesses find creative people. You pay a set amount each month, and you can make as many design requests, changes, and turnarounds as you want.

Penji’s Pricing Model

Penji’s graphic design services are unlimited and cost $499 a month to start. You can ask for as many designs as you want, and you’ll get them back in 24 to 48 hours. No extra costs. No hourly rates. Prices that are clear and delivery that is quick.

What You Get with Unlimited Graphic Design Services

• Making a logo
• Images for websites
• Things to post on social media
• Things you need for marketing
• Packaging design
• Infographics
• And more than 120 other design services

Pros of Subscription Services

• Costs that are easy to guess every month
• There is no limit to requests and changes
• Fast response times
• Access to a global team of expert designers
• Can grow along with your business

Cons of Subscription Services

• You have to pay every month, but you can cancel whenever you want
• Works best for needs that come up again and again, not just once

You can get good things for less money with subscription services. You get the freedom of a freelancer and the reliability of an agency, but for a lot less money.

If you want to do more marketing or need design help on a regular basis, this model is very helpful. Let’s talk about the choice of doing it in-house now.

What Does It Cost to Hire an In-House Designer?

The most expensive option is to hire a full-time designer, but you will have a dedicated resource.

Salary and Benefits

In-house designers make between $50,000 and $100,000 a year, depending on how much experience they have and where they work. Your total cost can be more than $120,000 a year when you add up all the benefits, equipment, software subscriptions, and training.

When to Hire In-House

It makes sense if you have a designer on staff if you:

• Always need a lot of design work
• You need someone who fits in with your company’s culture.
• Need to work closely with other groups

Pros of Hiring In-House

• A resource that only works on your brand
• A thorough understanding of your business
• Available right away for urgent needs

Cons of Hiring In-House

• High costs of doing business
• Not enough skills (one person can’t do it all)
• It’s time to hire and train new workers

\Most small and medium-sized businesses don’t need to hire designers. Penji and other subscription services offer similar benefits, dedicated support, quick turnarounds, and a wide range of skills without the high cost.

Now that you know how the different pricing models work, let’s talk about how to choose the best one for your company.

How Do You Choose the Right Graphic Design Option?

Your needs, budget, and plans for growth will help you choose the best graphic design solution.

Think about what you need in a design

• To begin, ask yourself this: How often do I need design work?
• What kinds of things am I working on?
• Do I need help with planning or just doing things?

A freelancer might be enough if you only need designs now and then. If you have a complicated project that only needs to be done once, it might be worth it to hire an agency. A subscription service like Penji, on the other hand, offers the best value if you need help all the time.

Check Your Budget

Freelancers and subscription services are better for people with smaller budgets. Agencies are a good choice if you have a lot of money to spend on a project. Having designers on staff only makes sense if you can afford to pay them six figures a year.

Consider Scalability

As your business grows, the needs of your design change. Subscription services are easy to grow. You can ask for more without having to pay more. Freelancers and agencies, on the other hand, charge you more the more work you give them.

Test Before You Commit

Many subscription services, such as Penji, let you try them out for free. Use these to find out if the service is right for you. Check the tests’ turnaround times, quality, and communication before you make a long-term commitment.

When you choose, it’s not about finding the least expensive option. It’s about getting the best deal for what you need. With that in mind, let’s go over some common questions.

Ready to Simplify Your Design Needs?

Graphic design services will cost different amounts in 2026, but you won’t have to choose between quality and price. For a set monthly fee, Penji will do as much graphic design work as you need. Working with a group of talented designers from all over the world can help you get things done quickly.

You can start a brand, grow your marketing, or get design help on a regular basis with Penji. You don’t have to pay for an agency or deal with the uncertainty of working with freelancers. Are you ready to see what design will be like in the future? 

Sign up for a free trial of Penji today and see how unlimited graphic design can change your business. No contracts that last a long time. There are no hidden fees. Just fast delivery of high-quality designs.

Frequently Asked Questions