How Much Does It Cost To Start A Graphic Design Business? (In 2024)
Looking to start a graphic design business?
But curious about:
- how much it costs to start a graphic design business?
- what are the typical graphic design business startup costs?
- or the actual cost of starting graphic design businesses?
Well, we have the data to prove it, supported by real graphic design businesses and how much they actually cost to start.
Let's go over it.
What is the average cost of starting a graphic design business?
Based on our data reported by actual graphic design business founders, the average cost of starting a graphic design business is between $30 and $2,000,000.
Additionally, our data shows that the the median startup costs for a graphic design business are around $1K.
Remember, though, not all graphic design businesses are the same - and neither are people's budgets. It's important to distinguish between different levels or types of graphic design businesses
Real World Examples: How much does it cost to start a graphic design business?
We asked real graphic design business founders and business owners how much it actually cost to get started?
Here is what they said:
SumanJung
Founder of DesignPac ($4.2K/month)
"I purchased a WordPress theme, bought the domain designpac.net and launch the site in the first of January, 2017."
SumanJung is the co-founder of DesignPac, a business that provides dedicated web experts for rent.
Mimi Council
Founder of Above 8000 Creative ($10K/month)
"Luckily, we didn’t have to finance anything for this business as we are a service business... This allowed us to not have to put any money into the business - well except for a few hundred dollars for our website."
Mimi and her husband Delaney are the founders of Above 8000 Creative, a creative agency that started in 2017 offering services in graphic design, website design, photography, content creation, and Instagram marketing.
Marilyn Wo
Founder of MeetAnders ($7.32K/month)
"I didn’t have to come up with any up-front capital to make anything. I just started by contacting a few of my previous clients to ask them if they needed help."
Marilyn Wo is the co-founder of MeetAnders, a productized graphic design company started in 2015.
Junaid Ansari
Founder of Draftss ($15K/month)
"So the overall cost to setup was something like: Domain ($10) + Landing Page (Made our own) + Contact Form + 2checkout ($0 setup fees) + Tawkto (Free) + Hosting ($15) + G-suite Email ($10) and we were ready with our MVP product."
Junaid Ansari is the co-founder of Draftss, a productized graphic design and frontend code service.
Scott Tarcy
Founder of caddesignhelp.com ($8K/month)
"I funded my business through my own savings. My main costs were: Computer - $2,000, Software - $5,000, 3D printers - about $20,000. I purchased these over time. I didn’t buy it all at once. I more or less bought these items when it became clear I would invest back quickly."
Scott Tarcy is the founder of CADdesignhelp.com, a CAD design and prototyping business that started in 2015 and averages about $9,000 per month in revenue.
Stephen Freeman
Founder of Kairos Digital ($65K/month)
"We estimated initial startup costs and he provided the initial seed money to get started and acts as a business coach and mentor for the big picture parts of Kairos Digital."
[FOUNDER NAME] is the founder of Kairos Digital, a marketing agency that focuses on clear messaging and digital strategies for businesses.
Nevilson Christian
Founder of SeekThem ($15K/month)
"My initial marketing plan would have cost me $1,000 straight, had I tried it."
Nevilson Christian is the founder of SeekThem, an unlimited design service business that aims to break the monotony of internet design and helps businesses create unique online presences.
M Waseem Aziz
Founder of ArrowUpz ($5K/month)
"So the website creation process doesn’t cost me, however, I paid for the yearly hosting and domain fee which was around $100 for the first year after the discount."
M Waseem Aziz is the founder of ArrowUpz, a digital services company that started in 2021 to help clients achieve their goals through a variety of online services.
Christopher Gimmer
Founder of Snappa ($83.5K/month)
"I also went from making $95k/year to paying myself $2,000/month from the profits we were making from BootstrapBay / StockSnap."
Christopher Gimmer is the co-founder of Snappa, a SaaS business that helps non-designers create online graphics.
Ahmed Nassar
Founder of DXFforCNC.com ($6.5K/month)
"As I started my business with $29 monthly fees, about $150 revenue, 0 customers on the website, and social media."
Ahmed Nassar is the founder of DXFforCNC.com, a digital design business that provides 2D designs for CNC machines. It started in 2016 and now makes approximately $7,000 per month.
Enjoyed reading these real world examples?
Our platform is full of case studies of successful graphic design businesses that you can learn from.
Starting a graphic design business - what you should know:
Embarking on a graphic design business venture involves various financial considerations that can significantly impact your startup costs.
Software and Tools
The cost of essential software is a primary expense. Adobe Creative Cloud, which includes Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, costs around $52.99 per month. Opting for alternative software like Affinity Designer, priced at a one-time fee of $54.99, can save you money in the long run. Additionally, investing in a reliable computer can range from $1,200 for a high-performance PC to over $2,500 for a top-tier MacBook Pro.
Office Space and Utilities
Working from home can dramatically reduce your overhead costs. Renting office space can vary widely depending on location, with prices in major cities like New York or San Francisco reaching upwards of $4,000 per month for a small office. Alternatively, co-working spaces offer more budget-friendly options, ranging from $200 to $800 per month.
Marketing and Branding
Initial marketing and branding efforts are vital for attracting clients. A professional website can cost between $500 to $5,000, depending on complexity and whether you hire a web designer. Additionally, budgeting for online advertising (Google Ads, social media) might range from $300 to $1,000 per month, depending on your target reach.
Legal and Administrative Costs
Setting up your business legally is another crucial step. Registering your business name and obtaining necessary licenses can cost between $50 to $500, varying by state. Additionally, accounting software like QuickBooks, which is around $25 per month, and potential legal consultation fees, which could start at $150 per hour, should be factored in.
Understanding these costs and strategically planning your expenses can help you launch a successful graphic design business without breaking the bank.
Potential Costs of Starting a Graphic Design Business
Starting a graphic design business involves various costs, including software subscriptions, hardware purchases, marketing expenses, and other fees related to setting up and maintaining your business.
| Expense Category | Item Description | Estimated Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Graphic Design Software (e.g., Adobe CC) | $20 - $52 per month |
| Stock Images/Assets (e.g., Shutterstock) | $29 - $199 per month | |
| Project Management Tools (e.g., Trello, Asana) | Free - $25 per month | |
| Communication Tools (e.g., Slack, Zoom) | Free - $20 per month | |
| Hardware | Computer (Desktop/Laptop) | $1,000 - $3,000 |
| Monitor (for color accuracy) | $300 - $1,000 | |
| Graphics Tablet (e.g., Wacom) | $100 - $600 | |
| External Hard Drive | $50 - $200 | |
| Printer/Scanner | $100 - $500 | |
| Office Supplies | Desk and Chair | $200 - $1,000 |
| Office Supplies (pens, notebooks, etc.) | $50 - $100 | |
| Website and Hosting | Domain Name Registration | $10 - $20 per year |
| Website Hosting | $3 - $25 per month | |
| Website Builder/Theme | Free - $100 one-time | |
| Marketing | Business Cards | $20 - $100 |
| Online Advertising (e.g., Google Ads) | $50 - $500 per month | |
| Social Media Marketing | $0 - $300 per month | |
| Portfolio Development | $100 - $500 one-off | |
| Labor/Professional Fees | Accountant/Bookkeeper | $150 - $400 per month |
| Legal Fees (e.g., business registration) | $100 - $500 one-off | |
| Insurance (e.g., liability, equipment) | $300 - $1,000 per year | |
| Training/Education | Online Courses/Workshops | $0 - $500 per course |
| Industry Memberships/Networking Events | $50 - $300 per year |
This table outlines the variety of costs that can be anticipated when starting a graphic design business, making it easier to budget and plan accordingly.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
