Outsourcing graphic design has become a strategic decision for businesses of all sizes. Entrepreneurs and marketers consider graphic design assistants so they can focus on brainstorming, production, recruitment, PR, and other essential business aspects. Some might scoff at hiring in-house graphic designers due to added overhead expenses, employee benefits, and liabilities. And this is the reason why brands resort to on-demand graphic design services. Here are some reasons and the top options to outsource graphic design.
Why Your Brand Must Outsource Graphic Design
- Cost Savings: Outsourcing graphic design allows businesses to work with skilled professionals without the overhead costs of hiring full-time in-house designers. This affordable approach is particularly beneficial for small and medium-sized enterprises.
- Varied Expertise: Graphic design agencies often have a bunch of specialized professionals with diverse skills and experiences. Outsourcing ensures that your projects are handled by experts who understand the latest design trends, tools, and techniques.
- Focus on Core Competencies: By outsourcing graphic design tasks, your internal team can prioritize core business functions. This increases productivity and efficiency as employees concentrate on their primary responsibilities, leading to better overall performance.
- Scalability and Flexibility: Working with third-party graphic design companies provides the flexibility to scale graphic design services based on your business’s needs. Whether it’s a one-off project or ongoing design support, you can easily adjust the level of outsourcing to match your requirements.
- Global Talent Pool: Outsourcing opens doors to a global talent pool. You can choose a graphic design agency or freelancer from anywhere in the world, giving you access to diverse creative perspectives and ideas.
- Quick Turnaround Times: Professional graphic design agencies are equipped to handle projects efficiently, often offering speedier turnaround times than in-house teams. This agility is crucial for meeting tight deadlines and staying ahead in fast-paced industries. However, on-demand graphic design services provide the fastest turnaround time, delivering as quickly on the same day.
- Access to Advanced Tools and Technologies: Graphic design requires specialized software and tools. Outsourcing allows your business to benefit from the latest design technologies without significant software licenses and equipment investments.
- Branding Consistency: Outsourcing graphic design ensures a consistent and cohesive brand image. Professional designers understand the importance of maintaining brand guidelines, resulting in designs that align with your brand identity. Moreover, subscribing to subscription-based graphic design services lets you save and organize multiple brand guidelines. This way, the assigned designer can refer to these guidelines for every new project request.
- Fresh and Creative Perspectives: External designers bring a new set of eyes and innovative perspectives to your projects. This diversity in thinking can lead to more creative and impactful designs that set your business apart in the market.
- Risk Mitigation: When you outsource graphic design, the risks associated with employee turnover, training, and management are mitigated. Design agencies often have measures to ensure continuity in case a designer is unavailable.
- Variety of Services: Graphic design agencies and on-demand design companies typically offer various services, from logo design to website graphics and marketing collateral. For instance, Penji offers around 120+ graphic design categories. This one-stop-shop approach simplifies obtaining various design elements for your business.
- Adaptability to Trends: Design trends evolve rapidly. Outsourcing allows your business to stay adaptable to these trends by tapping into the expertise of professionals well-versed in the latest design styles and industry benchmarks.
4 Options to Outsource Graphic Design
Marketers and entrepreneurs have different options to outsource graphic design. Choosing an exemplary graphic design service depends on the company’s setup, budget, and visual needs. Here are four options to get graphic design from third-party design companies:
1. Freelancers
The first option is to hire freelancers from online freelancing marketplaces. With so many options like Fiverr, Upwork, or Freelancer, you’ll indeed find the right one that matches your requirements. Most freelancing sites also offer payment protection for clients and freelancers, making it a safe platform. The only disadvantage when working with freelancers is if they abandon your projects or delay your design process for another high-paying client. That said, it’s essential to do due diligence and check reviews from past clients to gauge their work ethic.
2. Agencies
If you want to work with an entire team of creatives, including a project director, manager, and designers, then working with agencies is your best bet. However, this option comes with a steep fee. Most agencies charge clients for a single project with at least a few thousand dollars. But rest assured, the project outcome is nothing like the five-dollar gigs from Fiverr.
3. Design contests
Another option to outsource graphic design without the added hassle is design contests. Choose from different websites like 99designs, DesignCrowd, Designhill, or Crowdspring. This is a hassle-free alternative wherein you only have to write a creative brief and wait for design submissions. Design contests are also in the mid-price range, suitable for small businesses. The drawback is not being able to work with the same designers if you like them.
4. On-demand graphic design
The final and most convenient option is subscribing to on-demand graphic design companies. On-demand graphic design platforms like Penji, Kimp, or ManyPixels make the entire process easy. Additionally, this option is relatively cheaper than its counterparts. You pay a fixed monthly rate and request unlimited graphic design and revisions. Last but not least, subscription-based services
