If you think there’s only one type of graphic design service, you’re living in a bubble. If you’re an entrepreneur or marketer, you have five options to choose from. And in this article, we’ll tell you the pros and cons of various graphic design services, namely:

• Freelancer graphic designers
• In-house graphic designers
• Regular graphic design services
• DIY graphic design
• Unlimited graphic design services

Remember to choose a graphic design service that improves overall productivity, creates convertible graphic designs, and utilizes a seamless platform. And last but not least, choose a graphic design service that doesn’t break the bank. So without further ado, here are the pros and cons of five graphic design service types. 

 

Freelance Graphic Designers

Freelance graphic designers account for 90 percent of the graphic design industry. In fact, in 2016 alone, there were around 260,000 freelance designers. That goes to show that freelance graphic designers abound offline and online. 

Freelancers choose this kind of set-up because they prefer their freedom. They typically don’t have a scheduled time-in and time-out. Aside from that, here are the pros and cons of freelance graphic designers:

Pros:

• Affordable rates (logo design can be as low as $5)
• No commitments
• No bonuses and hourly rates
• Mostly on a per-project basis
• Easy to hire anyone

Cons:

• Can be hard to find a truly experienced freelance graphic designer
• Freelancers on marketplaces are not vetted for their skills
• Quality is often compromised 
• Can leave you hanging if they find high-paying clients
• Easily jump ship

Freelance graphic designers are excellent if you have one-time projects. However, if you’re looking for a long-term commitment, this might not be a smart option. If you also have all the time in the world to scout for a professional freelancer, then, by all means, choose this graphic design service.

 

In-House Graphic Designers 

Graphic design services aren’t only limited to freelancers. Some companies prefer to hire in-house graphic designers. This is, so they have them at their beck and call during office hours. 

The number of in-house graphic designers will depend on your graphic design needs. However, some companies don’t take this route because hiring in-house designers are relatively more expensive than all the other options on this list. Here are the pros and cons to assess if having designers on board is the right option:

Pros:

• Know your branding inside out
• Create branding consistency
• Have affinity with the company
• Face to face communication
• Ready to take on any design project
• Locked in a contract so you know they won’t leave the company

Cons:

• Pay an hourly rate of at least $25
• Could be stuck in a creative block
• Won’t have fresh perspectives for designs after a while
• May not have the specialized skills you need for other design projects 
• Pay yearly bonuses and offer company benefits 

Compared to freelance graphic designers, this type of graphic design service is costlier. You’ll have to factor in bonuses, compensation, and benefits to make your employees happy. If you’re looking for long-term commitments, this is a perfect choice. Plus, if you’re willing to pay hourly rates, then hire in-house graphic designers. 

 

Regular Graphic Design Services

Regular graphic design services are companies that solely offer graphic designs. Most of these graphic design services offer various packages so clients can choose which one fits their business needs. 

While this may be a smart option, we’d have to say that this is the most expensive of all the other options. This is because you get an entire team of creatives. For instance, plans could start at $1000 for a project. Check out the pros and cons:

Pros:

• Have new sets of design ideas
• Work with a team of creatives
• Easy onboarding process
• Have a dedicated project manager

Cons:

• Very expensive
• Might not have direct contact with graphic designers
• Not great for startups or small businesses with a limited budget
• Some services don’t offer a trial period

Regular graphic design services are excellent when you’re whipping up your branding. This is because a team of creatives is behind you every step of the way. Each member can contribute to establishing a unique and captivating branding. But since the fees are incredibly steep, it might not be the right choice if you have a continuous flow of design requests. 

 

DIY Graphic Design

Some startups and small businesses try to skimp on graphic design, thinking it’s going to do their business good. However, this will only hurt their business down the road. Unprofessional graphic designs aren’t scalable and versatile on all channels and marketing materials. If you don’t have the graphic design advantage, never attempt to DIY your business’s graphic designs. Read the pros and cons of DIY graphic design services:

Pros:

• Zero to minimal fees
• Can choose from thousands of templates
• No need for graphic design training
• User-friendly tools or software

Cons:

• Bad quality if you don’t know graphic design basics, concepts, principles, and psychology
• Unprofessional outcome
• Uncustomized designs from using templates and stock images
• May take days or weeks to finish if you’re not experienced

If you’ve had graphic design training before, you can look into this option. Moreover, if you also have years of experience doing graphic designs, then this is excellent for minor design projects. Take note, though, that DIYing your company logo is never a good idea. Always entrust this colossal task to the experts. 

 

Unlimited Graphic Design Services

The graphic design industry is expected to grow continuously until 2028. That’s why this new-age graphic design service is taking the world by storm. And businesses are taking notice. 

This type works like an on-demand service wherein clients subscribe monthly. This is perfect for scalability and not to mention, great for ventures that work on a shoestring budget. Other than that, here are the unlimited graphic design service’s pros and cons:

Pros:

• Offer versatile packages for small businesses to huge enterprises
• Flat monthly rates are affordable
• Unlimited designs and revisions
• 24 to 48-hour turnaround
• Use a customized platform for design projects
• Streamlined process
• No contracts, cancel anytime
• Free trial

Cons:

• Not suitable for one-time projects
• May have to request for your favorite designers on every project

The unlimited graphic design services’ business model is suitable for any business structure and level. If you have a steady flow of design projects, paying a fixed monthly rate can maximize your budget. 

Plus, this business model is built for startups, small businesses, merch sellers, marketing teams, and agencies. So, unlimited graphic design service is your best bet if you want quality, fast, and affordable graphic designs.