Why logos cost so much (or so little)?

Let's face it!  Logo design prices range wildly from $5 to $1M. We know it sounds ridiculous, but it's true. There are so many factors contributing to the range of prices. Whether you're paying $5 or $50,000, we hope this article helps you understand the range in prices and the value of hiring professional logo designers. We'll also talk about the company we've partnered with for our logo design services and how we price our services.

Please note: This article includes a link to The Logo Company, an affiliate partner of WeMerge Media. If you make a purchase with The Logo Company or affiliated partners mentioned in this article, WeMerge Media may receive a share of the revenue for the referral.

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A logo is the period at the end of the sentence, not the sentence... It's identification, not communication.” ~Sagi Haviv 

Image from The Futur's YouTube video, "What Makes A Logo Great & Iconic? w/ Sagi Haviv"

We watched the LIVE Sagi Haviv interview on YouTube as professional development for our creative design team. The YouTube Live event was attended by thousands of people. Graphic designers from across the world are struggling with how to communicate their value in today's world of marketing technology.  Small business owners are also finding this world difficult to navigate because they don't understand why one graphic designer charges $5,000 and another charges $50.

Get ready for a moment of transparency.

Our logo design packages range from $350-$600. Our primary clients are emerging and small businesses. We found a way to price our services accordingly for them.

We offer three levels of service based on package inclusions. Some clients only need a logo because they're testing a new business idea. Other clients are in industries that rely on printed marketing materials and direct mail.  In those cases, our clients need stationery (business card, letterhead, envelope) and a brochure to provide an overview of their company's offerings.

Our price points would not be sustainable if we had a storefront office and a costly payroll to maintain. We offer all of our services through virtual consultations and emails. We also have a long-term partnership with The Logo Design Company which helps us provide high-quality design at affordable rates.

The Value of Creative Direction and Consulting

Michael Damond, Creative Director of WeMerge Media

WeMerge Media's approach to providing logo design combines Michael Damond's 20 years of graphic design and marketing experience with creative direction consultations and a trusted partnership with The Logo Company. We began our partnership years ago to offer a faster-turnaround for clients in need of custom designed logos that meet industry standards.

We serve as our client's Creative Director. We're advocates for their needs and wants. We know how to communicate with graphic designers to get the necessary results. Our approach saves clients time and reduces the stress of navigating the design process on their own.

So, why the price range?

Small business owners may base their price perception on affordability, prices discovered during research, and the logo's intent.  A company wanting to stand-apart in a competitive industry may place more value on their logo than a first-time business owner who is testing a new business concept.

Logo designers may base their price perception on how they value their time and talent, if the logo is for a small business or a multi-national corporation, or if the designer is being retained to offer ongoing graphic support.  In some cases, the client may want the designer to assume some risk against copyright infringement.

This is why we have the range of logo design prices we see today.

Avoid Copyright Risks

Many people don't know this. If you use clipart or a website/app that allows you to make your own logo, you DO NOT have a right to the copyright or register the logo you made for your business.

​In the terms and conditions you'll often find a statement similar to this, "Logos designed on our free platform cannot be trademarked or copyrighted as the graphics are templates designed by a third party. If you would like to have your logo turned into an original design that can be trademarked and or copyrighted we recommend our Redesign Service." These redesign services are usually hundreds of dollars.

Does your Logo Designer include these?

Regardless of how much you spend for logo design, we suggest asking for the items mentioned below BEFORE hiring a logo designer.

​We've had situations where clients came to us for large format advertising and t-shirt design, but they didn't own a high-resolution vector file of their logo. In order to continue, we had to charge a design fee and create a new logo, which delays production time and adds unexpected expenses. 

Here's something you must get from your logo designer to guarantee high quality reproduction of items featuring your logo:

• Masterfile (aka Source or Native file) - Designers and printers will use a master file of your logo to create all sorts of media. Our team will make sure you have it, too.
• Multiple File Types - Your new logo will take countless forms out in the real world. We’ll make sure you have all the file types you need to bring it fully to life on the web and in print.
• Copyright Transfer - Once your logo is complete, make sure you have 100% ownership.  For clients who work with us or use our partner The Logo Company, we include a certificate of transfer.

Having these things will make your life much easier as you expand your advertising and marketing to multiple media formats.
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Was this helpful?

We hope this information is helpful in helping you determine the best way to get a logo for your business.  If you'd like to use our logo design services, you can learn more about our logo design packages at https://www.wemergemedia.com/logo-design.html

You can also work directly with our partner, The Logo Design Company, by clicking here.  Enter the code 10OFF to save 10% off your purchase.