What Is the Hourly Rate for a Graphic Designer

How Much Does a Graphic Designer Cost?

Low: Logos Can Start at $150-$450; Stationary Can Run $150-$250

Medium: Average $20-$350 Per Hour; Brochures Can Run $300-$600+

High: Logos Can Run $2,000-$5,000 From High-End Firms

A graphic designer is a commercial artist who combines elements such as typography, illustration, photographs and color to convey a specific image, feeling or message in support of a product, company or organization. Graphic designers create many of the items you see everyday -- logos, ads, brochures, posters, book covers, packaging and more.

Typical costs:

The hourly rate charged by graphic designers ranges from $20-$350, but averages $65-$75 an hour nationwide, according to a survey by HOW magazine[1] . The hourly rate is generally based on prevailing local costs as well as the designer's training, experience and reputation. Standard or simple projects might be billed at a flat rate, but most quotes are based on an estimate of the time involved multiplied by the designer's hourly rate. Designing a logo to symbolically represent your company starts around $150-$450 for an online graphic design service using standardized templates. This sort of design is customized only in the sense that a pre-existing format is adapted for your specific business, but it is a good deal cheaper than a design concept created from scratch for your company. Hiring a professional graphic designer or firm to create a company logo runs anywhere from $500-$2,000 or more depending on the number of initial concepts presented for review, the number of revisions, and the experience and reputation of the designer or firm. Some high-end design firms will charge $2,000-$5,000 or more to design a logo.
Designing business stationery from templates runs about $150-$250, and may be included in the higher-priced logo design fees.
Designing an 8-1/2x11 folding brochure is $30-$450 for a customizing a standard template; hiring a graphic designer or a firm to create a similar brochure can run $300-$600 or more depending on the complexity of the project, the number of colors and revisions, local rates and the designer or firm's experience and reputation.

Related articles: Signage, Business Cards, Website Design

What should be included:

The graphic designer will need a clear project description (such as a logo, website or three-fold brochure), the target audience, a tentative budget and a rough timeline. In turn the designer should give you a written proposal outlining what is included (a certain number of initial design ideas, a specific number of revisions, final product, etc.) and what is not included (printing costs, multiple major revisions, etc.), and who does what in terms of writing text, supplying photographs, proofreading or other related tasks.
When the proposal is accepted, typically you'll meet with the designer several times to talk about concept, layouts and schedules, before being presented with a mock-up of a potential design (or designs). The Graphic Artists Guild of Albany provides detailed guidelines for working with a graphic designer, including a sample schedule for a brochure project. Typically (but not always) a designer will oversee the project through the printing process -- be clear whether this is included in the cost estimate.

Additional costs:

Extensive revisions after the initial concept is approved are considered "author's alterations" and are usually an extra charge. The cost will depend entirely on the designer's standard hourly rate and the type and scope of the revisions. Extremely extensive revisions that change the nature of the project may require a new contract.
Printing costs are typically not included in graphic design fees, and will vary depending on the type of project, the number of colors used and the total number of printed pieces.

Discounts:

Often graphic design students eager to fill their portfolio will work for a reduced rate. Check whether a local college or university has a graphic design program.

Shopping for a graphic designer:

Interview at least three graphic designers or design firms, reviewing their portfolios of past work to see their style and range; ask what their role and budget was on each project. Remember that good graphic design requires clear communication and understanding; choose a designer or firm whose personality and approach works well with yours. DesignerToday.com lists tips[2] for hiring a graphic designer.
Start watching for similar materials -- logos, websites, brochures -- to see what sort of designs you like. Ask other business owners which graphic designer they use, and if they're satisfied with the process. Referrals are also available from the AIGA[3] (formerly the American Institute of Graphic Arts), or the Graphic Artists Guild posts members' portfolios.

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Comments (13)

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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments

Posted by: [email protected] in Clearwater, FL.	Posted: November 8th, 2019 06:11PM
Project Type: Real Estate Flyer Design	Designer: INTROCONEX, LLC

Quick turn around time! 4 revisions with PDF and hyperlinks embedded. Website management available too.

Posted by: North GA Camp Director in Brunswick, GA, GA.	Posted: January 26th, 2019 04:01PM
Project Type: 12-page Magazine Brochure	Designer: Morgs Marketing

A one person firm, agreed to my project that took a couple months to fully approve. I made a lot of revisions in this time and during the holiday season. She handled printing, shipping, and made reasonable changes to design.

Posted by: Operation27 in Valrico, FL.	Posted: October 16th, 2016 02:10AM
Project Type: Website	Designer: Blue Apple Media

Did a great job. Love the website, didn't have to know what I wanted (because I had no idea). They just made it, and it was perfect. Very Happy.

Posted by: Thomas Klein in Los Angeles, CA.	Posted: October 8th, 2016 01:10AM
Project Type:	Designer: The Virtually Savvy

6 page website and logo with 6 different options. Finished on time and on budget. I'm very happy and the people I referred are happy to work with this company.

Posted by: JanetLayne in Plymouth, MI.	Posted: April 23rd, 2015 07:04PM
Project Type: Brochure, Logo, Website	Designer: paigeelaine.com

Needed a new logo, along with a matching brochure, website, and business card design. Paige did an excellent job! I was given 3 proofs to choose from, and they were all wonderful, I almost could not choose. Everything had a great theme, and went together nicely. I was extremely happy with my designs, and ecstatic to show everyone!

Posted by: Terie in Boston, MA.

Posted: March 18th, 2015 04:03PM

It's not fair, nor very wise to talk just price on a designer & to describe the work you received as good, bad or otherwise, when that is fully relative. Sure-what is good? You pay $25 for some clip art smacked up crap? Or pay $1,500 for a properly executed design, with all the elements required, along with proper design sense *& execution and it's stunning...but-either way, no offense, but-if you were a graphic designer or knew good graphic design, you would do it for yourselves. At minimum this website should at least require commentators to upload an image of the paid for (and properly owned copyrighted) design, to accompany their commentary. Then the public can make their own determination on quality vs. value.

Posted by: Dana R. in San Diego, CA.	Posted: February 23rd, 2015 08:02PM
Project Type: User Interface (7-pager app)	Designer: vanillanbanana.com

Got a presentation of 3 concepts, art direction and coordination of illustration and photography. Comprehensive layouts, solid ux knowledge.

Posted by: Cruz Burgos in Brandon, FL.	Posted: July 20th, 2014 10:07AM
Project Type: Logo	Designer: Faceless Technologies

Faceless Technologies has been a pleasant surprise when it comes to customer service. They have consistently handled every need we have put their way for over a year. Their design capabilities are top notch and every service we have received from their team have been superb. From branding, Search Engine Optimization, Web Design, printing, and everything from marketing materials to promotional items. I would recommend this firm to anyone

Posted by: Ben Heber in Madison, WI.	Posted: June 27th, 2013 03:06PM
Project Type: Design	Designer: EliteClientele.com

I recommend you finding design companies that are have an outstanding creative touch. The company we chose was contracted to create us a new logo, brochure, and flyers for our relaunch. They presented us with 4 logos and after only a couple revision of the promotional material we where extremely happy with the work.

Posted by: Gene & Debby in Hillsboro, OR.	Posted: April 26th, 2012 12:04PM
Project Type: Logo & Materials Design	Designer: Private Designer, Oregon

This private solo designer created a new, simple company logo. Once we had gone back and forth a few times & settled on best representation, he created business cards (front/back design), letterhead, brochure rack cards, and ink pen designs w/multiple revisions at my request. They turned out amazing. And I know he spent more hours than he billed me for. You get what you pay for, and I was incredibly happy.

Posted by: Jonathan Riverson in Jacksonville, FL.	Posted: March 2nd, 2012 06:03PM
Project Type: Logo Creation	Designer: Ten Forty Media

This company created a logo, letterhead, and business card for that price. They had a lot of researched knowledge about colors, imagery, etc and it was very educational.

Posted by: JessicaPro in Minneapolis, OH.	Posted: February 27th, 2012 12:02PM
Project Type: Logo Design Creation	Designer: 50dollarlogos.com