Many business owners starting out for the first time reach out to us with questions like:
“I’ve never created a logo before… how much does it cost?”
“What does it take to get set up with a logo, brand, and some baseline materials like a business card?”
“How long does it take?”
“Why should I work with a professional designer?”
If you’re asking those same questions, you’re not alone!
I’m here to provide some clarity about what goes into building a brand, what kind of investment you can expect, and how working with a professional designer (or team) can make a big difference.
Whether you’re applying for funding, special business grants, or just building a launch budget, it’s smart to be clear on what you’ll need (both in terms of time and cost) as you set out to create your brand.
Why It Matters
Your logo isn’t just decoration. It’s how your audience recognizes you, remembers you, and decides whether to trust you.
A good logo makes your business feel real.
A good brand makes it memorable.
And a thoughtful design process helps you understand who you’re speaking to
Every business has different goals, timelines, and resources, which means branding doesn’t have to be one-size-fits-all. Below are three common starting points for new businesses, depending on where you’re at and what kind of support you need.
A logo design can be as simple or as involved as you need it to be. Think of it like a scale, you can start small and grow as your business evolves.
Here are a few ways to think about your options:
- Basic Logo Design: You just need a logo to get started and look professional.
- Logo + Brand System: You want a complete logo and brand suite, including a colour palette, tagline treatment, and maybe a few service or product icons.
- Strategic Brand Development: You’re ready for a full, research-driven brand process that includes marketing strategy, messaging, and a long-term brand vision.
As you can imagine, as each option expands in scope, so does the time and investment. But, so does the impact and longevity of what you build.
What You’ll Get and What It Costs
Logo Package
If you just need to get your business off the ground and look polished, this package helps you launch with confidence.
You’ll get:
- A professional logo that reflects your business goals and values, not just something that “looks nice.”
- Support in defining what makes your business unique, so your visuals feel authentic and intentional.
- A clean, legible logo that’s easy to recognize and scales beautifully from your business card to your social media profile.
- The right file types and colour versions for all your everyday needs, from printing to uploading online.
- Guidance on fonts and colour use so you can keep things looking consistent, even as you DIY your first few materials.
This is for you if:
You’re launching your first business or side hustle and want to feel ready, professional, and proud to share your brand.
💰 Investment starts at $1,500
Logo + Brand Package
You’re ready to go beyond “just a logo.” This package helps you build a cohesive, recognizable brand, so everything from your business card to your website feels connected.
You’ll get:
- A thoughtful logo and brand system that tells a visual story about your business.
- Clarity on your tone, colours, and typography so that your materials always look consistent and intentional.
- A curated colour palette that’s both functional (meets accessibility standards) and visually engaging.
- Help identifying your target audience and understanding how your brand visuals can connect with them.
- The tools and confidence to apply your brand across digital and print, with flexibility to grow as you do.
This is for you if:
You’re past the “getting started” stage and want your business to look established, consistent, and trustworthy — ready to attract more clients or funding.
💰 Investment starts at $3,000
Strategic Brand + Marketing Package
This is the deep dive. If you’re serious about growth, this package gives you strategy-backed branding that’s designed to last.
You’ll get:
- A research-informed brand strategy that defines your audience, competition, tone, and messaging.
- A logo and visual identity built on that strategy designed to reach the right people and stand out in your market.
- Alignment between your marketing language and your visuals, so your audience sees and feels your message.
- A foundation that supports long-term marketing campaigns, partnerships, and scaling your business.
- and all of the logo and brand services oiutlined in the packages above.
This is for you if:
You’re preparing for growth — maybe applying for funding, expanding your services, or ready to invest in a brand that truly represents where your business is headed.
💰 Custom quotes available — typically starting at $5,000+
Why Work With a Professional Designer?
Working with an experienced design studio means you’re getting more than just a logo, you’re getting strategy, functionality, and support.
Here’s what that looks like:
- Functionality at Every Size: Whether your logo appears on a website header, business card, or embroidered hoodie, it needs to be legible, scalable, and adaptable. We think about all of that , so you don’t end up with a logo that looks great online but disappears on print or apparel.
- Collaborative Team Input: At Frolic, your logo is never just seen by one pair of eyes. Our design team reviews, critiques, and refines concepts together to make sure you get something truly balanced, functional, and one-of-a-kind.
- Future-Proof Design: Your business will evolve and your logo should be able to grow with you. We design with flexibility in mind so your visual identity doesn’t box you in later.
So… How Much Do You Really Need to Start?
That depends on your goals, audience, and budget.
If you have a hard deadline or a set amount of funding, that’s often the best way to determine how much of your brand you can build right now.
You don’t always need a full logo suite to get started, sometimes a well-crafted wordmark and thoughtful colour palette can carry your launch. From there, your icon, visual assets, and brand collateral can evolve as your business grows.
At Frolic, we’re happy to help you determine what level of investment makes sense for your business stage. We work with clients at all phases from brand-new startups to established organizations ready for a refresh.
So whether you’re just starting out or scaling up, don’t hesitate to reach out, we love helping local businesses build brands that last.