Understanding the Difference between Template Logo Designs and Custom Logo Designs

If you are the owner, operator or manager of a business enterprise it is important that you pay close attention to branding issues and the selection of a logo for your venture. Through this article you are provided an overview with some factors that you need to take into consideration when you are in the market for a logo.

Through this article you are provided with an examination of the differences between template logo designs and custom logo designs. Armed with this information you will be in the best position to ensure that you take the most appropriate course when it comes to selecting a logo design for your business.

The Importance of Your Logo

When all is said and done it is your logo that will be the first image that a typical consumer will have of your business and of its products and services. In other words, potential clients or customers will develop the all important first impression of your business based on the design and appearance of your logo.

For this very reason it absolutely is vital that no matter which course you take – a template or custom design – for your logo that the end result is attractive, professional and functional. Because of this fact, it is crucial that you do choose the most appropriate course of logo design to make sure that your needs, goals and objectives appropriately are met through your logo.

A Look at Template Logo Designs

Perhaps the most important benefit associated with template logo designs is that you can obtain this type of logo design for a fairly low amount of money. In other words, you do not have to spend a great deal of money obtaining a logo template in the first instance.

Even though you might save money over the long term, you do need to keep in mind that a cheap template logo can actually reduce your revenues over the long term. The reality is that because you really cannot get exactly what you need and require in the way of a logo for your business through a template, you won't be able to connect with consumers as effectively as you can do with a custom designed logo. Therefore, in the end, over the long term, you will not be able to attract as much business with a template logo as you will be able to do with a custom made piece.

A Look at Custom Logo Designs

If you really are serious about developing the most powerful brand identity and presence for your business you definitely need to consider seriously obtaining a custom logo design. Indeed, you need to take a close look at engaging the professional services of a qualified, experienced and effective logo design firm.

Yes, you will spend at least a bit more money purchasing a custom made logo at the outset. However, because you will be obtaining a logo that specifically is suited to your business and its products or services, you will have the most idyllic logo to promote your venture and to ensure that you connect directly and affirmatively with prospective customers or clients.

There are other benefits associated with obtaining a custom designed logo from a professional firm. These include:

• a guarantee of the final product
• comprehensive customer service and technical support
• revisions provides at no additional cost
• innovative and creative logo and branding assistance

Are You Really Saving Money by Going the Template Route?

As has been discussed previously, many people assume that you will be able to save money through going the template route when it comes to your logo design needs. You may be able to save some money on the fee you pay initially; but, again, over the long haul you won't have the most effective log. You won't have the branding you need to maximize your revenue over time.

Conclusion

In the end you absolutely cannot underestimate the value of your logo. Therefore, before you elect to go the template route in order to theoretically save some money on the initial design fee, you must closely analyze the significant and lasting benefits that you will be able to realize for your business enterprise through making the wise decision to obtain a custom designed logo.

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Why don’t design agencies charge $10?

Whether you are a small business owner or a large enterprise, in any of the case, you need to have a design agency or a set of firms to handle the different marketing and branding tools of your business. However, if your requirement is to properly advertise your business along with other promotional activities, you got to have a professional design/ad agency who would take care of your requirements, but at a very high price. Their minimum price for a logo design only would be a lot more than a freelance logo designer. So the question is why these design agencies charge so much for each of their services?

This is not a very complex question but you need to understand the difference between big design agencies, logo design companies and freelancers. See you have to grasp the fact, the bigger your business is, the bigger agency or a number of agencies it would require to manage its marketing and branding. Typically, design agencies take charge of everything from designing your logo, website, stationery, ad campaigns and negotiate different print, TV, radio and online media rates for you. This can’t be done by a mid-sized design company or if they do offer all the services, they might not end up with satisfying your needs in the best possible manner. Freelancers, on the other hand, are mostly specialized in one or few areas. They can either design your logo, stationery, website or they can handle and design your advertising campaigns. They can’t do all and if they claim they can, I doubt the quality of it.

Now, how much should you, as a business owner spend in designing a logo from either of the three? Remember! Design agencies would always charge your more than others because they possess broader skill sets under one roof. You pay those more to avoid fatigue, you would have to face if you were handling a combination of different firms that look after different areas of marketing, advertising and branding.

Moreover design agencies are always tagged with high price for a logo because they are:

• Experienced
• Professional
• Accountable
• Renowned and reliable
• Capable of handling large number of accounts
• Loaded with professional logo designers and high quality logo concepts
• Equipped with broader skill set
• Secure to work with
• Frequently available for face to face meetings

Of course if design agencies charge you more, there has to have the above mentioned reasons behind it. They must have a reputable name in the design industry, gained through years of experience and professionalism. They must have shown reliability to their clients and have produced high quality logo designs which later on got successful and converted into big brands with remarkable identity. Unlike freelance designers, they occupy a physical workplace to accommodate a bunch of creative designers or even more to come up with the best logo concepts for their clients. The software they use costs them thousands of dollars, the computers, the stationery etc.

However, if you are a small business owner, my suggestion would be to hire an online logo design company, who specializes in custom logo designs. You will find so many options of logo design companies for your logo that you have to be very critical in evaluating them and finalizing the best one for your logo project. These logo design companies offer different packages to choose from according to your budget and requirements. They are similar to design agencies, but they are specialized in fewer services, mostly in logo, stationery and website designs.

To end it all, I would say if you are a bigger company with huge budgets set for different marketing and branding activities, go for an agency because an agency is capable of handling all your requirements under one single roof. However, if you are a small business and need to have a logo to start off with, the best option to go with is an online logo design company, who would provide you with different package options to choose from. But in any case, you need to evaluate the quality of their work by checking out their design galleries and references, because sometimes even paying thousands of dollars don’t get you satisfying results.

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You think your logo is perfect, you are wrong!

Usually we find logo designing as a subjective matter; we all have different choices for color, design, style etc. That is why business owners generally prefer the logo which is more close to his personal design taste. There is nothing wrong with this; in fact, I believe that following your own design taste would represent the mood, people, and culture of the company to some extent. However, a business owner should also consider certain guidelines and standards that every logo design should follow. Don’t let your logo to fall in the category of bad designs. Consider redesign if you think your logo doesn’t comply with these guidelines.




Does it describe about you?

Is your logo misinterpreting? Many companies struggle in building a unique brand identity with a weak or vague logo that portrays a different image than what the company is actually about. Even a slogan line, a suggestive image, or color element does not help much. Instead, keep your logo simple. Don’t overcomplicate it with too many design elements that nobody can understand what the actual message is.

Is it recognizable?

Does your logo have enough simplicity and creativity that it could be remembered and recognized at a glance? While selecting a logo, business owners usually prefer a logo with more colors and graphics, but it is better if they go with a simple design. In fact, the simpler is your logo the more memorable it will be.

Does it still look good in black and white?

Does your logo have an ability to grab the viewer’s attention even in black and white? With other task of defining colors, fonts and design, you should also focus on the black and white version of your logo. If your logo only looks good in full color, you may have a problem when situation arise where it can only be represented in black and white, for example, when you need to fax a letterhead to the client.

Can you resize it?

Ask yourself another question, can you resize your logo for every medium? If not, your marketing collaterals would be of no use from marketing point of view. The logo should be easily scalable in almost all sizes because this identity of your brand usually revolves in the form of visiting cards, letterheads, envelops etc.

Is it a unique emblem?

The most appealing thing about a logo is its uniqueness. Be sure that your logo should not be a copy of any popular brand identity; otherwise you’ll be in trouble with copyright infringements and law suits. This is usually happened because of the laziness and the lack of creative thoughts of a logo designer. So, check before final delivery, whether it’s a unique emblem or does it more look like any other logo.

Are fonts good?

Using the right font is as important as working with other design elements. Avoid using those fonts that can’t reflect the actual business purpose. Plenty of logos could be found with good designs and styles, but all efforts are wasted due to not choosing the right fonts. Have a look at these real examples:



Ferrari font doesn’t portray it as a racing car company and Nikon doesn’t look like an imaging company. Actual message could be portrayed if the right fonts were used.

So, what do you think about your logo? Is it perfect? If any attribute is missing, an effective redesign would be the right thing you are going to do. Otherwise, it will be difficult for you to rightly position your brand in the market.

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