Let’s talk about price, because it is often a tough topic, for expert graphic designers and, most of all, for those who are at the beginning of their career.
Clients usually do really trust on us, “you are the graphic designer!” (see our article https://www.graphis-studio.it/you-are-the-graphic-designer/?lang=en) and they just rely on us for the graphic job they need… until we show them a quotation for costs: at this point, their enthusiasm collapses!
Not always revealing a cost means having its contents clear. It may happens that our client find problems on identifying the elements included in the price. This is why, for us, it is so important a good communication with the client. It helps us to do a job as much close to our client’s idea as possible. And it helps him to understand each work step, what we do and what is included in the final cost.
What is generally included in a cost quotation by a graphic designer? Which parameters do we apply? What is usually less clear for a client?
First of all, the following voices are usually included:
- – material
- – machines/programs
- – working time
- – modification to the project
But the heart of our job is made of:
- – ideas
- – creativity
- – professionalism
Abstract concepts… sometimes difficult to explain. This is why we believe that a good communication with the client is important, to explain that ideas and creativity need hours of research, elaboration, modification, trying, thinking, looking for inspiration, studying.
Talking about professionalism, it is made of knowledge, training, quality, availability for meetings and modifications to the project and it always has a cost. For a beginner, too. A graphic designer at the beginning of his career doesn’t have to undervalue his professionalism just because he doesn’t have a long time experience. Experience and professionalism are different concepts, not to be confused.
Additional voices in your quatation may be the client’s budget, his kind of business, location, specific job requested.
Once we have collected all voices and have the necessary elements for a price, we can send to our client a final cost to be accepted.
A cheap price doesn’t mean quality. Instead, it is generally synonymous of poor commitment, poor quality of materials. And it is a disadvantage for both client and professional.
So I go back to a basic principle of our activity: communication. A proficient communication between the parties involved is good for professionals because makes his job easier, clear and with no misunderstandings. But it is useful for the client, too. He will be informed about every step of the graphic production and the connected costs.
