From logos to trade show event design and even everyday graphics like social media posts, ads, and email design – there’s no doubt your business needs a designer. I’m here to introduce the concept of a graphic design subscription service – a more straightforward and often chapter way to get graphics for your startup.

Imagine this: you have an upcoming healthtech trade show and want to get trade show graphics done before the big event. It’s pretty easy to find a freelancer somewhere like Upwork or Fiverr, but what happens a few months later when you have needs for a video editor?

Can you really expect the graphic designer to be a highly-skilled video editor as well?

Additionally, if you ever need more design needs in the future, you’ll run the chance the previous designer you used isn’t available. And let’s not forget that for any designer you need, you’d still have to go through the actual hassle of sourcing, hiring, and communicating with the designer about every new design project you have.

Costs start to add up quickly – not just monetary costs, but time costs as well for each project.

You might be wondering how exactly a graphic design subscription service can help your healthtech startup. Before I can answer that question, let me explain exactly what a graphic design subscription service is and why this model is beneficial over hiring freelancers.

What is a Graphic Design Subscription Service?

A subscription-based graphic design service is a model that offers graphic design services on an ongoing basis rather than project by project. These subscriptions are mostly based on monthly terms and sometimes quarterly depending on the service.

Each graphic design subscription service is different in terms of the types of graphic design services they offer, pricing, and the industry they serve. Some only offer a few services, while others, like Studio Design Lab, offer both graphic design and video editing.

When you consider all your startup’s design projects, the price starts to add up. You also need to consider design and revisions; freelancers don’t have the capacity to offer unlimited designs or revisions. Some graphic design subscription services allow for multiple design requests and revisions, while others have limits.

Depending on what graphic design subscription service you choose, this model can offer your startup the best ratio of cost and simplicity.

Graphic Design Subscription Service Price vs Others

So now you know, you can likely get unlimited designs and revisions for one-flat monthly price, but how much are you really saving? Before we get into that, there are a few ways you could get your graphic designs done; through a freelancer, agency, or in-house designer.

Let’s take a look at all three:

Freelancers

It’s not difficult to find a freelance graphic designer on a platform like Upwork or Fiverr. There are tons of options in terms of both finding a freelancer and one with the experience and skills you need.

The problem comes with the onboarding and ramp up process – that is, getting your freelancer up to speed on your brand to deliver quality work. Additionally, if you have multiple projects the price can really add up considering the average rate for a graphic designer is around $35-$45 per hour for these freelance sites.

Design Agency

Moving on from hiring the one-off freelancer when you need designs, you can hire out a design agency. The cost for a design agency is higher because it is considered a premium offer.

The average cost per hour for a graphic designer associated with an agency is anywhere from $50 per hour for associate designers to $150 per hour for more experienced senior designers.

If you’re looking at the agency route, you likely have large graphic design projects, think web design, company branding, etc. which can cost several thousands of dollars per project. If you need video editing services add in more money since video editing projects can costs thousands depending on the type of video.

In-house Designer

The in-house designer is the most expensive option of the three simply because you are adding someone to payroll which includes standard W2 wages and benefits. According to Salary.com the after graphic designer salary in the U.S. is $103,931.

This is a good option if you have a lot of design needs and can keep their schedule full, but if you don’t have enough design needs, then the cost will start to feel like a burden in the long run.

Graphic Design Subscription Service Benefits

Ok, so now that we know what a graphic design subscription service is, let’s look at the benefits Studio Design Lab can bring to your healthtech startup.

A Dedicated Creative Director

If you really want your visual design elements to resonate with your brand every time, you likely need a creative director to oversee all projects. As an added expense, many startups don’t have the finances to hire one.

With Studio Design Lab, you get me, Nachole Johnson as your creative director for every design project you submit.

After working with your brand for a while, I’ll understand the nuances and be able to translate design concepts to the graphic design and video editing team on your behalf.

Unlimited Design Requests

Yes, you read that correctly.

With Studio Design Lab, you can upload as many design or video editing requests to your portal as you like, and our team will get them done in 2-3 business days, depending on the project type.

Unlimited design requests mean you can save money.

Take a look at some common design prices:

• Brochures $1,200
• Logo $500-$1,000
• Web design $5,000+
• Brand guidelines $9,000+
• Video editing (30 min video) $400

It’s clear that if you only have a fraction of the design needs I listed above, a graphic design subscription service is well worth the money.

Cost Effective

I’ll just get straight to the point of price since that’s what’s on everyone’s mind. Your startup will get your money’s worth if you have multiple design (or video editing) requests per month.

Studio Design Lab has two subscription levels, including multiple design requests and video editing. The base tier allows for one design request at a time and video editing of videos 30 minutes or less for $3,495 per month. The premium package includes everything the base package includes but allows for two design requests at a time and video editing of videos up to 1 hour in length for $6,495 per month.

As you can see, both subscription types are well under what you would end up paying a freelance, in-house or agency designer.

Oh, and you can pause or cancel your subscription anytime if needed!

No contracts.

At all.

Ever.

How Does Studio Design Lab Work?

Now that you know all about graphic design subscription services, it’s time to get an insider’s view of what happens when you sign up to work with us. This video of our design portal shows you how easy it is to request designs for your startup.

Ready to Try Studio Design Lab?

I hope you found value in this article about graphic design subscription services and how this service could benefit your startup.

I’d love to have you as a client!

Click here to get signed up with Studio Design Lab!