Insight – 02/05/2021
If you’ve started looking into logo design in New Zealand, you’ve probably noticed something confusing:
Prices are everywhere.
From $50 on Fiverr to $20,000+ at a branding agency, for what seems like the same thing.
So what are you actually paying for?
And more importantly, what should you be paying? Let’s break it down.
Logo design prices in New zealand at a glance:
1. Fiverr & Offshore Designers ($50 – $300)
Let’s start at the bottom.
These platforms are popular because they’re cheap and fast.
But here’s the reality:
Most work is template-based
There’s little to no strategy
You’re one of hundreds of clients
Communication can be limited
You might get something that looks decent on the surface, but:
It’s unlikely to be unique. It won’t be built around your business
This is fine if you’re testing an idea or starting something small but it’s not a long-term solution.
2. Students & Beginner Designers ($300 – $1,000)
At this level, you’re usually working with:
design students
recent graduates
people building their portfolio
The upside:
more custom than Fiverr
often enthusiastic and willing
The downside:
limited experience
weaker strategic thinking
inconsistent quality
You might get a good result or you might not.
It’s a bit of a gamble.
3. Experienced Freelance Designers ($1,500 – $5,000)
This is where things start to become more considered.
You’re working with someone who:
understands design principles
has real client experience
can create something tailored
But here’s the catch:
Most freelancers are still focused on the logo, not the brand
So while the logo might look great, it may not connect to:
positioning
audience
overall business strategy
And that’s where many businesses get stuck.
4. Small Branding Studios ($4,000 – $10,000)
This is where you start getting real value.
A good small studio will:
think beyond just the logo
consider your business, audience, and positioning
design a logo that actually fits into a bigger picture
You’re not paying for “just a logo” anymore.
You’re paying for:
Thinking, experience, a more strategic outcome.
And importantly:
you’re still working closely with the people doing the work
you’re not lost in layers of account managers
For many growing businesses, this is the sweet spot.
5. Larger Agencies ($10,000+)
At the top end, you’re paying for:
brand strategy
workshops
multiple team members
account management layers
And yes, the work can be excellent.
But you’re also paying for:
overhead
process
scale
In many cases:
A large portion of the budget goes into structure, not just design.
And for smaller or growing businesses, this level of investment often isn’t necessary.
So… Why Is There Such a Big Price Difference?
Because you’re not just buying a logo.
You’re buying:
experience
thinking
process
business understanding
Two logos might look similar at first glance…
But one is decoration and the other is built to support a business.
How Logo Concepts Are Typically Presented (And Why It Matters)
One thing most people don’t realise when hiring a designer or agency is how the work is actually presented.
In many cases, even at higher price points, you’ll only be shown one logo concept.
That means:
one direction
one idea
and if it doesn’t feel right, you’re relying on revisions to fix it
At Studio Nine, we take a different approach.
We typically present 2–3 distinct logo concepts, each based on a slightly different creative direction.
This allows you to:
compare ideas
see different ways your brand could be expressed
feel more confident in the final direction
Say Hello!
Studio Nine
33-45 Hurstmere Rd
North Shore, Takapuna
M. +64 21 1306 713
katrina@studionine.co.nz
© Studio Nine
Branding & Graphic Design NZ
