Pricing

Our company needs a new logo.
How much will it cost?

We get asked that question a lot. Our answer: “It depends.”

These are the factors we consider in setting our fees:
  • The size and age of your company. With a startup business, we are free to start from scratch and go wherever creativity leads us. A more established company usually means more constraints so that we preserve as much of the equity in your current brand as possible.
  • The complexity of the problem. Creating a new logo, and updating, cleaning up or otherwise recreating an existing logo, are relatively straightforward propositions. More complex problems need more hard thinking. Perhaps your company name gives an inadequate impression of what you do, so you need to be renamed. Or you need a completely new identity to help reposition yourself in the market. Situations like these usually require much more research, interaction, 
and iterations.
  • The scope of the job. In addition to your name and logo, you may only need letterhead, a 
business card, and a simple brochure. Or you may also need a new website, all kinds of signage, product packaging, uniforms, and lots of other print collateral.
  • Last-minute changes. We anticipate offering you several strong ideas, then picking one or two, refining them, and working with you until we all agree we have found the ‘solution.’ If you begin the project insisting on a red house, and then near the end of the process decide that what you really want is a blue camel, we would probably need to revisit our agreement. Unless it’s our idea, in which case the cost of the change is ‘on us.’
  • Work for a committee or a board. Since there is more than one decision-maker, this is usually a much more complex undertaking. It typically calls for more iterations, longer turn-around times, and our very best diplomatic skills.
  • How quickly we must act. If we have to drop everything and work nights and weekends to get you out of a jam (it happens!), it will cost a bit more.
Do you charge by the hour?

No, we charge by the project. Coming to a creative solution is not always a predictable process. Sometimes we agree on a design quickly; sometimes it takes longer and many iterations before we agree that we’ve ‘rung the bell.’ Either way, we agree on a project fee with you up front, and stick to that number unless the scope of the work changes. We put all this in a written proposal and look for your authorization by email. Then we stay in close contact with you so you always know where we are in the process. We usually require 40% of the agreed-upon amount before commencing the project, 30% upon concept approval, and the final 30% upon delivery of the final graphic files to you, your printer, or your web developer.

Although we prefer to quote fees by the project, there are a few situations that call for us to work on an hourly basis. Our hourly rates are $125 for design, $75 for copywriting.

What will I get for my money?

Again, that depends on what we have agreed is the scope of the project. Typically, you will get 
your new logo in all the versions you might need it – for print and web – color, black-and-white, white-on-black, EPS, JPEG, TIFF, GIF, etc. If we have designed material for print or imprint, we will handle sending all your graphics files to the printer, embroiderer, sign maker, web developer, etc. of your choice. Even if we make the arrangements for you, we never mark up any of these services.

OK, but I’d still like to know how much it costs. Is it bigger than a breadbox?

Well, probably. A general rule of thumb is this: For a typical company with 5-10 employees, the cost to re-do your corporate identity is roughly one-third of the cost of your company 
president’s car. So, if you drive a 2006 Toyota Camry, you’re probably in good shape. If you drive 
a late-model BMW, well, that could indicate that there’s a bit more to the job than meets the eye.

If you’re a start-up or a micro-enterprise, our basic fee to design a logo and help you think through your name and tagline is $4000. Getting you started with stationery and the basic look for your website will be a bit extra, depending on how many items need to be designed. And if we’re designing your website, as well, we will work with you to make the entire project fit within your budget. We will always provide you with a written proposal that clearly delineates the scope of each project.

As everyone knows (and we are often reminded), you are free to purchase inexpensive logos 
over the internet. But if you want an original identity for your business that is custom-made for you (and guaranteed not to have a ‘swoosh’ in it), hire us. We will stay with your project until 
you are satisfied.

How much is it worth?

Now that’s a question we like to hear. Our clients will tell you that their investment in corporate identity has been worth every cent. And their brand strength continues to increase with time. Imagine trying to alter the St. Luke’s typography, or the Swain School’s shield, or any of the other well-respected logos we have designed.

We have been in this business for 30 years, and you are hiring our experience and wisdom. Have you heard the story of the man who hired a carpenter to fix an elusive squeak in his wood floor? The old carpenter walked into the room, pressed the squeaky board with his foot, took one nail, and with two whacks of the hammer drove it home. “That will be $100, please.”

“But it only took you one minute to fix my floor!”

“Then that’s $1 for my time and $99 for knowing where to drive the nail.”

Our work is like that. Decades of experience have taught us just where to drive the nail. 
Let us drive one home for you.

Testimonial

“The reaction we have gotten from everyone has been so positive, so far beyond my wildest expectations. I feel we presented you with many challenges. You created a new fresh image and logo, which is timeless. You hit the target perfectly.”

Sean A. Boyle, President, Boyle Construction

“Both professionally and personally Sayre Design exceeded expectations. Truly a complete pleasure working with you!”

Terry Guire, Brevity at Work

Working with Sayre design was not only easy and enjoyable, but also allowed me to reflect on my work from a different perspective. The attention to detail throughout the design process was amazing. The creativity and language presented helped me view my work from an artistic perspective that I had not previously been able to do on my own. This deepened my understanding of my own work. As an engineer, complimenting my technical understanding with artistic and creative branding will provide for broader ideas moving forward. The process has inspired me to do my work better than ever.

David Delaine, Changineer™, The Collaborative Lab to Change Engineering Education

“Sayre Design built a simple and evocative logo for me which is successful for two reasons: First, it’s at home anywhere it appears, whether painted on a sign, posted on a website or jotted on a cocktail napkin. Second, it sums up my story by merging my identity and my business.”

Brett Stuckel, copywriter

“You hit a home run & the process was pleasant and seamless. I’m very proud of how Five Paths Yoga is represented. Thank you so much for everything.”

Karen Klubertanz, Five Paths Yoga

“The ability of Sayre Design to hone in on the corporate identity, purpose and personality of their clients is almost magical in its simplicity and implementation. It becomes clear through working with them that it is not magic. It is the result of talent, experience, hard work and, for this day and age, an unmatched willingness and desire to learn about their clients so they can best represent what makes those businesses unique. As someone who has gone through this corporate branding process with Mike and Nancy, I can say that not only did they pinpoint exactly who I am, they actually helped me forge the identity and the message I want to relate to my own audience. But most of all I have to say it is a pure joy working with two wonderful people who enjoy what they do so much that it is really an inspiration to others.”

Joe McDermott, McDermott Communications

“Thanks for all you do for us. You certainly have created a logo for K&S that is simple, effective, eye-catching, easily remembered – and a pleasure for me to show and use in marketing. The first time I wore the name badge to a Chamber of Commerce breakfast, I saw people’s eyes reading the logo again, then again. I knew then and there that this logo was a winner.”

Regina Sanders, Kriegman & Smith

“The Sayre Design approach to corporate identity is nothing short of phenomenal. Michael’s skillful guidance and innovative thinking has taken us on a journey of self discovery and enabled us to craft a clear vision, mission, and a substance that forms our identity . . . I recommend this transforming experience to anyone who is passionate about their business!”

Alexander Pamphilis, President, Alexander Painting Inc.

“With your artistry, wisdom, skill, patience, endurance and strength, you created a visual image for the Pennsylvania Jazz Collective in less than one month. All this occurred in one ongoing huge, demanding, massive, stressful deadline! And it was done by you both in a spirit of cooperation, mutual support, liberal and gracious generosity and incredible calm. You are the “Dynamic Duo” with boundless goodwill, artistry and technological know-how! On behalf of the Board of directors of the Pennsylvania Jazz Collective, I extend a big ‘Thank you!'”

Marlene Gilley, PA Jazz Collective Board Member

“I enjoyed working with the caring and creative professionals at Sayre Design. The challenge was to completely redesign my corporate identity and use it to create a unique and user-friendly Word Press website. Nancy and Michael accomplished this by diving deeply into dialog with me, examining my core business beliefs, and becoming acquainted with my constructive quirkiness. The result of their clever ingenuity represents me accurately and humorously, just as I like it.”

Rita Guthrie, The Idea Lady, Open Door Public Relations
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