How Agencies Use Graphic Design Subscriptions to Scale Faster

TL;DR – For agencies, using a graphic design subscription is a smart way to stay focused on strategies while offering high-quality visuals without needing to hire an in-house designer.

A graphic design subscription offers numerous benefits not only to individuals and businesses, but also to agencies.

In fact, data reveals that almost half of the companies surveyed said they choose to outsource to gain access to new capabilities, and that includes graphic design.

In this article, let’s get into how a subscription design agency works and why getting a subscription-based graphic design from a graphic design-as-a-service platform could be the smartest move for your agency.

What Is a Graphic Design Subscription?

A graphic design subscription is a service that offers visual assets at a flat rate per period, typically per month. 

For instance, Penji provides unlimited graphic design at a flat monthly rate, and the plans include every aspect of design you might need, such as revisions, design support, final files, editable source files, software licenses, and more.

Because of its wide range of benefits, it’s not surprising that subscription-based design services have gained more popularity over the past few years. In fact, data says the subscription economy market is projected to reach $630 billion in 2026.

In terms of unlimited design vs. hourly design, a graphic design subscription surely offers a lot of benefits to agencies that juggle multiple clients.

How Do Graphic Design Subscriptions Help Agencies Scale Faster?

Here are a few ways monthly graphic design services help you scale faster: 

1. Ability to Handle More Clients

A design subscription service allows you to handle more clients without having to hire more employees. A graphic design subscription gives you access to white-label services, or services that are offered by a third-party provider, which you can rebrand as your own.

Data tells us that more than 7 out of 10 agencies you white label services, highlighting the growing reliance on outsourcing to meet growing client demands.   

2. Scaling Faster Through Improved Efficiency

Monthly graphic design packages from reputable platforms offer efficiency and performance through visual communication. According to a survey, 93% of respondents said visual assets enhance communication, while 91% said it increases efficiency. The same survey showed 77% of respondents said it increased business performance.

3. High-Volume Content Creation

Juggling multiple clients means having to deal with a ton of visual content. For instance, maintaining an efficient website alone can be challenging as is, with 20% of respondents struggling to keep content fresh and another 15% citing design and usability issues.

Perhaps one of the most important benefits of a graphic design subscription is being able to handle high-volume designs while keeping every visual asset at the highest quality possible. 

​​How Does a Graphic Design Subscription Work?

If it’s your first time getting a monthly graphic design subscription service, the workflow is straightforward and beginner-friendly.

Step 1. You request a project.

Each project starts with a request. Using your graphic design subscription platform’s app or collaboration tool, you’ll write a project brief, citing what visual asset you need, the format and aesthetics, file types, and other relevant details.

Step 2. Your designer submits a draft.

Upon receiving the assignment, your designer will reach out in case anything needs clarification. Otherwise, they’ll work on the project and submit an initial draft.

Step 3. You review the draft.

You’ll check the design draft and assess if it’s what you need. If you want to tweak it or start over, you’ll proceed to Step 4. If you’re happy with the design, you’ll proceed with Step 5.

Step 4. You request a revision.

Using the graphic design services’ app, you request the revision you need. Unlimited graphic design comes with unlimited revisions, so feel free to have the design revised over and over again until it’s exactly what you need. 

Step. You approve the project. 

Once you’re 100% happy with the design, you can approve the project, download the files, and move on to the next one.

What Types of Design Work Can Agencies Outsource?

Unlimited graphic design services offer a wide variety of projects, making them an ideal source of design support for marketing teams. These designs include:

• Logos
• Branding guidelines
• Printed marketing collateral (brochures, flyers, etc.)
• Ad design
• Motion graphics
• Custom illustrations
• Digital marketing materials design (presentation decks, email templates, social media graphics, etc.)
• Web design 

How Do Graphic Design Subscriptions Compare to Freelancers or In-House Designers?

Here’s a quick guide on how unlimited design subscriptions compare to hiring in-house creatives and freelancers for agencies.

Graphic Design Subscription vs. In-House Designer

• Choose an in-house designer if you need visual assets done in less than 24 hours or on-site for immediate client needs.
• Choose an unlimited graphic design if you don’t have the resources to pay for benefits and PTO, overtime pay, and software licenses on top of the monthly salary. 

Graphic Design Subscription vs. Freelancer

• Choose a freelancer if you only need designs occasionally or around one or two design projects per month.
• Choose a graphic design subscription if you have ongoing design needs and want to keep costs predictable while having access to a remote design team.  

How Can Agencies Maximize a Graphic Design Subscription?

You’re already on your way to minimizing your cost when you outsource graphic design to a subscription-based graphic design platform. And with one in three marketers spending 10 to 15 hours producing content, you’re also saving a lot of time, so that’s hitting two birds with one stone.

That said, here are a few actionable tips that will allow you to make the most out of your monthly graphic design subscription:

• Write clear project briefs. Include all the important details in the brief to ensure that you and your designer are on the same page. Some of the factors to include are the design format, audience, file types, design examples (if you’ve requested similar projects before), and any visual inspirations.
• Keep feedback actionable. When requesting revisions, be specific about what you want. Vague feedback like “I don’t like this” wouldn’t equip the designer to make the changes you need, which could only prolong the revision process.
• Use brand guidelines. This asset documents how your client’s brand looks and sounds to your audience, including logos, color palette, typography, visual style, and more. Attaching your brand guidelines to every project helps ensure that all designs are consistent with the brand.

The Bottom Line

A graphic design subscription enables agencies to offer high-quality designs while keeping their focus on campaign planning and execution. With monthly subscription services, agencies can keep overhead costs predictable while scaling faster and smarter. 

Looking for a design subscription service? Visit Penji’s portfolio to see why Penji is among the top-rated providers in the on-demand graphic design niche.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is there a limit to how many designs you can request?

A graphic design subscription service would typically allow a user to request as many projects as they need. However, the number of active projects at a time depends on the graphic subscription you avail.

How are graphic design subscriptions different from freelancers?

A monthly graphic design subscription allows you to request all the designs you need at a flat monthly rate. Freelance services, meanwhile, may charge per design or per hour.

How fast are design turnaround times?

Unlimited graphic design services typically have turnaround times of 24-48 hours.