FAQs about hiring TAPHOUSE GRAPHICS

1.  How much does logo design cost?

2.  What does the cost include?

3.  Such and such charges less than you. Can you match them?

4.  How long will the project take to complete?

5.  Can you start right away?

6.  What’s involved in the design process?

7.  What should I expect working with a graphic designer?

8.  What exactly do I receive when you send initial logo ideas?

9.  What file types do you provide?

10.  Do you create style guides for your logos?

11.  How much of your project research is based upon client competition and their logos?

12.  Can we talk on the telephone?

13.  How do you accept payment?

14.  Will you use current design trends for my logo?

15.  Will you feature my new logo in your portfolio?

FAQs about hiring TAPHOUSE GRAPHICS

1.  How much does logo design cost?

An obviously important question, but one that can’t be answered without details of your design project. Your company is different from every other, so it makes sense to tailor a quote to your individual needs.

Our pricing varies depending upon a large number of factors. Take the size of your company as an example. A small-sized enterprise might have just one person responsible for identity usage, whereas a large multinational might require an exhaustive documentation analyzing the competition, exploring a wide range of design variations, and arriving at a set of branding guidelines.

Comparing the design industry to any other is by no means exact, but the, “How much for a logo?” question is kind of like asking an estate agent, “How much for a house?”.

2.  What does the cost include?

The cost includes a significant amount of our time, which will span over weeks or months, depending on the complexity of the project. For more details about exactly what happens behind the scenes, read our logo design process. You receive full ownership of the completed artwork, along with original files suitable for use across a wide range of media.

3.  Such and such charges less than you. Can you match them?

Design is not a commodity. Just as you choose your designer, we also choose my clients, and only work with those who value the service we provide. Our satisfied client list is extensive, and you can read some testimonials here.

A commodity is anything for which there is demand, but which is supplied without qualitative differentiation across a market. In other words, copper is copper. Rice is rice. Stereos, on the other hand, have many levels of quality. And, the better a stereo is, the more it will cost. The price of copper is universal, and fluctuates daily based on global supply and demand.

4.  How long will the project take to complete?

At the beginning of each project we’ll set some delivery timeframes, such as when you can expect initial ideas, and how long possible revisions may take. As each project is different, We wait until learning about your needs before providing a deadline. Depending upon complexity, logo projects can last from a few weeks in length to upwards of six months.

5.  Can you start right away?

It’s possible, but not likely. We need to pay close attention to our current clients and their ongoing projects. Taking on too much work at once will adversely affect the outcome — something we won’t do.

6.  What’s involved in the design process?

You can read about the steps involved in our our design process.

7.  What should I expect working with a graphic designer?

This is what you should expect from your relationship with a graphic designer. 

8.  What exactly do I receive when you send initial logo ideas?

We will normally send you a PDF file with logos shown over a number of pages. We display your designs in a variety of formats, such as in 100% black, a softer gray, reversed on a dark background, and possibly using a distinctive color scheme (although color is often left until the latter stages, once the idea has been finalised).

9.  What filetypes do you provide?

Adobe Illustrator (.ai) or Encapsulated Postscript (.eps) are the main file types provided. The logo will be in vector format, which means it can be scaled to any size necessary without loss of quality. From either of these files, and with the proper software, you will be able to create any other file type necessary (.jpg, .png, .gif, etc.). We’re more than happy to help with specific file requests, and will answer questions if you’re in any way unsure.

10.  Do you create style guides for your logos?

Providing a style guide is certainly an option, and is dependent upon individual client needs. If you’re in a company where only one person is responsible for using the logo, a style guide is much less important than if you’re part of a 500 person strong organization. Guides are supplied as a PDF file, and can be from a single page in length to upwards of 10 pages. They contain usage instructions, such as color codes, minimum reproduction size, correct page positioning and isolation areas.

11.  How much of your project research is based upon client competition and their logos?

A great deal. Evaluating the competition is a necessary part of the process, and should be expected from any logo designer. Even though we research client competitors for every project, some clients choose not to have this stage documented and supplied, thus saving money.

12.  Can we talk on the telephone?

Absolutely. All clients receive our phone number, and we’re available between 9am and 5pm PST, from Monday to Friday (except during weekends and holidays).

13.  How do you accept payment?

With most design projects, we request a 50% down payment prior to scheduling the work. This is payable by a number of methods: via bank transfer, PayPal. All details are included in your initial invoice, and the remaining 50% is payable upon completion of the project, prior to supply of original artwork.

14.  Will you use current design trends for my logo?

Trends show where we’ve been, and can give a glimpse into where we’re going. We don’t, however, create logos based solely upon trends, because we don’t want you coming back to me a couple of years later when your logo is out-of-date. The logos we design are intended to last the duration of your business, not to look trendy.

For an interesting discussion about logo trends, read the comments on this article: Do you follow logo design trends?

15.  Will you feature my new logo in your portfolio?

We reserve the right to showcase designs in our promotional work, but it’s not guaranteed yours will be included. At the time of writing, there are more than 15 new logo projects waiting to be added to our portfolio. Finding the time to document each individual process isn’t straightforward.

Thank you

Thanks for taking the time to read our answers. Should you have any questions of your own, by all means drop us a message using the contact tab to the right, or if you haven’t already you’re more than welcome to browse through our graphic design portfolio.