$ - logo pricing - $

Anyone have any advice for charging for a new business' logo?

I've heard anything from $150 - $500 USD. I spent about 4 hours total, including email and phone contacts (the client is 1500 miles away).

I hope to make it final in the next few days and available for download to the company. Just unsure what to bill them.

What formats should I post? Should I mail them a good finished print, instead?

I'm just looking for feedback from other designers and their experiences. Any advice is appreciated.

thanks

I would take into account how the logo is going to be used, not just how long it took you to make it. Are they just using it on their web site, or is it going to be on letterhead, business cards, web site, outgoing e-mail, tv commercials, newspaper ads, skywriting, etc. The more exposure you expect it to get, them more I would charge. At least that's what I would do.

As for file format, make them a print-out, as well as the original file you created it in. Like an .eps or something. That way if they need to use the logo for something and they don't use you as the artist, they won't have to use a crappy scan of the logo.

Burn it on a CD for them if you can. They will probably lose it if you just e-mail it to Them.

You may want ot make a quick letterhead/business card for them as well, so they can see what their logo will look like in use. That way they will get a much better idea of how it will look other than just seeing the logo on a computer screen.

make sure you keep a copy somewhere safe because i'll bet they will email you in 6 months saying they lost it!

oh yeah...

have you already started work on the logo? didn't you guys discuss the price before you began?

Thanks for the advice. I'll take all of it into consideration, for sure.

The client contacted me last night. He loved the sketches I posted, and is almost ready to order the final design. I'll post it later on, with the client's permission. Then, I can get some crazy "should've-done-this-and-this-instead" feedback. Constructive criticism, if you will. ..riiiight.

Under most circumstances, I'd have gotten this payment thing out of the way already, Charm, you're right about that.

This job is a little different from most, however, since it started out as a favor for a friend, then developed into a legit bigger project. I trust the guy, and I'm sure he'll come through with a decent payment. - Another thing to consider is this: If you're starting out in a new market, sometimes you may have to bite the bullett to establish a presence in that market, then, once the word gets out, you can charge more standard prices.

- SORT OF LIKE DRUGS!!

happy designing!
graphicsguy

i totally agree about the biting the bullet thing. nobody can expect to come out of the gates charging an arm and a leg.

my warning: be careful doing work for friends

charm, you're scaring me...
can u share any experience or advise??