Logo Design Pricing?

[Squevasquidge]

I know there have been some posts about this already. I wondered though, for those of us who are not professionals, those of us that are learning and people ask them for a logo for example. What are you charging?

I have had a few more requests for logo designs. I had to turn one down as I was worried I wouldn't be up to the job (cowardly I know but I do it in my not so spare, spare time and didn't feel I could have it done quick enough and to a high enough standard) The people that come to me freinds, family of freinds etc. I have no idea what to charge though. I feel bad for charging too as Im not professional yet and there is still so much I dont know.

So what do you professionals and those not so professionals think?

Regards,

Eva

[Boss Hog]

I think that whilst you are learning you shouldn't be offering logo design as a paid for service, when you are up to the task this is when you should look at charging.

[Dave L]

Couple of pints? Box of chocolates? Ominously non-specified mob-style returned favour?

[Katedesign]

^^That's a good idea!

[VLAHAKISA]

I used to charge, even when I wasn't up to the job fully. I think it's fine. I started out charging just £50 for a logo design because I had not qualifications, experience and thus a low skill set.

I think it's fair enough if your charging is very low and they can see the 'standard' of your offering in terms of a portfolio before you start work for them. You get what you pay for and it's up to the client if they want to pay less and have a lower standard of design work!

As you get better, you charge more and more in line with your standard. This is what I did.

Amanda
www.trulyace.com

[Squevasquidge]

Thanks for the insight guys! I totally appriciate both sides. Not charging...and charging a small fee. What I might do is just play it by ear. Decide at the time depending on the client and how I feel/how skint I am. I suppose that is a bit cheeky to do that as Im not professional and I am learning but I suppose in ways I am still providing a final product that they are happy with.

Thanks again for your opinions!

[Paul Murray]

As Boss mentioned, if you're not confident with your skills, maybe it's not time to charge for them. Do some portfolio work or sample briefs and get feedback from people on ways to improve until you're up to scratch.

On the other hand, your skills could be up to scratch but you could just be lacking in confidence.

If it's the latter, try and get some pro-bono work for charities/non-profits or do some projects for friends/family and be sure to take note of how long it takes you in total to complete a project, including ideas generation, research, revisions, etc, then work out an hourly rate and multiply the two together to get a rough idea of a fixed price you could charge.

That price should be a figure to aim for that you're comfortable asking for, happy to accept and is a reflection of your time and experience.

Be sure that you can 'sell' your services, ie. try and help a potential client understand why you're asking that price; explain what's involved in the creation of a logo, why it doesn't cost £50 and what a £50 logo would look like (poor typography, unoriginal ideas, etc) and what you can offer them that amateurs can't (correct file format/specifications for print always sounds impressive).

If they don't want to pay that much, don't lower your rate but instead try to offer them less. For example, if they want a complete branding package, perhaps agree to forget about compliment slips or custom envelopes until a later date. The pay less and you still get paid the rate you want without having to sell yourself short.

However, if they're just looking for a low price rather than quality, then forget about it and let someone else deal with them.

[Mattie7777]

Hey,

I was in the same position as you a few months ago, just finished uni and had friends asking for prices. I have charged between £60-£90 depending on the job at hand.

A few mates I have say charged £70 and designed a business card aswell, what ever makes you and the client happy :)

[sdesign1]

I think the level of work involved in logo design is very often underestimated. We certainly don't throw in logo design as a freebie when we design a site. Quite often my designer takes longer on logo design than website design.

[Minuteman Press]

I think the level of work involved in logo design is very often underestimated.

So true - don't underestimate development time and revision time.