Guide to Graphic Design Services for Business: Types, Cost, ROI

TL;DR – Graphic design services for business have become a requirement to compete in a digital-first world. The key is finding a provider that offers quality and practicality, and understanding how these services work to earn the best ROI.

Think about the last time you clicked on an ad, liked a post from a business account, or added an item to your cart. Chances are, graphic design played a part in that decision. 

Visuals are a crucial factor in business, and the growing graphic design market is a testament to this importance. With the global market expected to reach a staggering $85.53 billion in 2031, there’s no denying that marketers are investing in visuals to establish brand identity and build trust. 

In this guide, let’s break down what graphic design services for business are, including the options you can consider to get impactful visuals. We’ll also look at the costs so you can make the best decision, given your needs and budget.

What Are Graphic Design Services for Business?

Graphic design services for business pertain to the creation of visual assets that help businesses:

• Establish their brand identity
• Communicate their message
• Influence customer decisions

Let’s take a well-known brand like Coca-Cola, for example. Now, think of the visuals you associate with this household brand: its classic ribbon-like wordmark, its iconic red-and-white palette, its high-impact website visuals, and nostalgic yet modern packaging. All of these materials are designed by a graphic design service for the company, be it through an in-house team or a third-party provider.

As we can see from Coca-Cola’s powerful market presence, a powerful brand identity can do a lot in making a brand stand out from the crowd. This factor is so critical that 85% of marketers said they revisit their brand identity quarterly or annually.  

This number only goes to show that brand identity is essential in marketing across industries, which leads us to the next question:

How Do Graphic Design Services Impact Marketing Performance?

If you want to make an impression fast, then you can’t ignore the importance of graphic design in sparking your audience’s interest in minimal time. 

A study reveals that people can process visuals in as fast as 13 milliseconds (that’s 0.013 seconds), which is a lot faster than they can digest copy.

Here are ways graphic design services help businesses grow faster by improving marketing performance and maximizing return-on-investment:

• Brand Identity and Recognition. High-quality visuals improve first impressions and build trust and credibility. When people associate your brand with professionalism, they’re more likely to become customers and stay loyal to your brand.
• Increased Engagement. Strong visual communication and well-made user experience design grabs attention and encourage the viewer to react, comment, or share. 
• Boost Conversions. In landing pages, the right visual hierarchy, layout, and call-to-action colors and typography can do wonders to increase conversions. Reputable graphic design services for business would know how to craft your visual assets in a way that would make it easier to connect with your audience.

Alongside all these benefits of graphic design service for businesses comes the ultimate advantage: increased revenue. Data reveals that consistent branding across platforms can boost revenue by up to 23%. 

Whether you hire an in-house designer or go for graphic design services online, one thing’s for certain: having the right visuals is non-negotiable.

What Types of Graphic Design Services Do Businesses Need?

The graphic design assets that you need highly depend on your business, industry, and level of market competition. Here are common visual assets requested from graphic design services for business:

• Logo design
• Branding and identity design
• Brand guidelines and style guide
• Marketing and advertising design
• Social media graphics
• Website design
• Packaging design
• Print design (business cards, brochures, etc.)
• Motion graphics and video design

Because a typical business would need a handful of different design formats regularly, many get graphic design on subscription to ensure that all their visuals are on-brand and of professional quality.

How Much Do Graphic Design Services Cost for Businesses?

The cost of graphic design services for business varies depending on several factors:

• Type of design needed
• Scope of work
• Quality of design
• Turnaround time

Traditionally, ventures would hire an in-house designer or a freelancer to handle their graphic design needs. These services are typically paid per hour.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median hourly wage of $29.47 for graphic designers. It’s not low, but it also isn’t high compared to specialized design roles, like UX/UI or branding strategy.

In many cases, however, hiring a designer costs more than just the hourly pay, as businesses also need to cover benefits (for in-house designers) and software licenses.

If paying a designer per hour doesn’t sound practical for your business, another route to consider would be paying per project. That means you pay a fixed amount per visual asset, no matter how long the designer worked on it.

The cost per project can vary widely, but for reference, a survey found that the average cost to design a logo is $800, with some paying around $1,500 for high-end services.

Is Unlimited Graphic Design Cost-Efficient?

Over the past years, another graphic design outsourcing solution has emerged and is proving to be a practical option for businesses prioritizing design quality while staying within their budget: unlimited graphic design.

With this service, a remote graphic design team offers graphic design services for business entities at a flat monthly rate. With unlimited digital design services starting at around $400 a month, that means:

• An average per-project logo ($800) could already get you two months’ worth of unlimited services
• The same amount would only give you 13.6 hours, or roughly two working days, of a designer’s time at the median rate ($29.47 per hour)

If you need a variety of visual assets designed and you need more than two working days of designer services, then unlimited remote graphic design services are the perfect fit.

What Should You Expect When Working With a Graphic Design Service?

If you’re new to graphic design services, here’s a quick checklist of the things to expect from a reputable provider:

• Skills and Experience. Choose a provider with professional design skills and sufficient experience across a wide range of industries, as reflected by its portfolio.
• Quick Turnaround. The standard turnaround time for designs is around 24-48 hours.
• Clear Communication. Whether they’re using a dedicated app or a collaboration tool for communication, choose a company that responds clearly and promptly to queries and requests.

The Lowdown

Choosing the right graphic design services for business can make the difference between a brand that stays top of mind and one that drowns in a sea of digital noise.

If you’re looking for a reliable design partner that offers the perfect combination of quality and practicality, consider Penji. Backed by the world’s top 2% designers, Penji treats every client like a VIP, with each visual asset strategically designed to advance the brand forward. 

Visit Penji’s portfolio and see why Penji is among the top-rated design companies in the world. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)