Creating Logos on a Small Budget

August 1, 2012

Quite often I am asked, “how one can get a logo done cheaply?”.

Of course it has to be said and should not be forgotten, that your logo is one of the most important aspects of your business and is your presentation to the world, your brand recognition comes through your logo. Some big companies will pay thousands, hundreds of thousands even millions for logo design/rebranding, but if you dont have that kind of money, or dont place a high regard on the value of your corp identity then I am going to show you how to get a logo done for as little as $5 to $500.

You have three options.

OPTION 1 : Fiverr.com – costs $5

Go to www.fiverr.com and search for logo design. This is a great and cheap way to get some design ideas mocked up. Fiverr.com allows you to test some logo ideas for 5 bucks a time.

OPTION 2: post a logo design contest – costs $75-$100

I have had some nice success with this option. Basically I post my requirements, put up a prize, usually something like $75-$100, then wait for designers to submit their entries, then choose a winner at the competition close date and award the prize.

Here is some logo contests that I have run. Further below is some examples of logos from those contests.

OPTION 3: post a project on www.99designs.com – costs $350 – $500

Pop over to www.99designs.com. This is like option 2 but the designers here will provide highly professional designs and its a more formal setting. Its a logo contest with a touch of class. I have used 99designs many times for web site projects and they provide excellent results.

Some Examples of Logos that I have had created

Here are some examples of logo that I have had done using option 2, design contest.

What to look out for, ie the risks.

Mostly, logo designers that do work cheaply are doing so because they either need to increase their portfolio or live in a country where cost of living is cheap, other times you need to be wary, you may just get what you pay for. If you are paying someone 5 bucks to make a logo, then they will usually give you 5 bucks worth of logo. Never expect 500 bucks worth of logo when paying 5 bucks.

Another thing you need to be careful of with cheap logo design is that the designer does not simply rip off another companies logo and stick your name on it. In graphic design, its very difficult to determine if the works are unique or not. 99designs.com does offer a level of guarantee that the works are unique and that you are the copyright holder, but of course you pay more for that service.

For the most part, I have always had good experience with logo contests and its an affordable way to move forward with your logo if you have a small budget.