How much does brand design cost for a UK business?

If you're a business owner thinking about investing in branding, one of the first questions you'll ask is: how much is this going to cost? It's a fair question — and one that doesn't always get a straight answer. So here's an honest breakdown.

The short answer

Brand design in the UK typically costs anywhere from £500 to £50,000+, depending on who you work with and what's included. That's a wide range, so let's break it down.

What affects the cost of brand design?

Several factors influence pricing:

Who you hire — A large branding agency in London will charge far more than an independent designer or small studio. You're often paying for their overheads, account managers, and name rather than better design.

What's included — "Brand design" can mean just a logo, or it can mean a full brand identity: logo, colour palette, typography, brand guidelines, stationery, social media templates, and more. Make sure you're comparing like for like.

Your business complexity — A simple sole trader needs something different to a company with multiple product lines or a global audience.

Experience and specialism — A designer with 13 years of experience working across branding, illustration, and digital will bring strategic thinking to the table, not just visual execution.

Typical price ranges in the UK

Logo only (freelancer or junior designer): £200 – £800

You'll get a logo file, but likely little strategic thinking behind it. Fine for very early stage businesses on a tight budget.

Logo + basic brand identity (experienced freelancer or small studio): £1,500 – £5,000

This is the sweet spot for most small to medium businesses. You get a logo, colour palette, typography, and brand guidelines — everything you need to look consistent and professional.

Full brand identity + strategy (specialist studio): £3,000 – £15,000

Includes discovery and strategy, competitor research, brand messaging, full visual identity, and sometimes a website. This is what growing businesses and startups seeking investment typically need.

Large agency rebrand: £20,000 – £100,000+

For established companies going through a major transformation. Often includes brand consultancy, research, and large teams across multiple disciplines.

What should brand design include?

A proper brand design project — at any budget — should include at minimum:

• A discovery phase where the designer learns about your business, audience, and goals
• A logo in multiple formats (SVG, PNG, dark and light versions)
• A defined colour palette with hex, RGB, and CMYK codes
• Typography choices (which fonts to use and how)
• Basic brand guidelines so you can stay consistent

Anything less than this and you don't really have a brand — you have a logo.

Should I use a cheap logo service or AI logo tool?

Tools like Canva or AI logo generators can produce something in minutes for very little money. But they won't differentiate you. Your brand will look like dozens of others, and there's no strategy or thinking behind it. For a business serious about growth, this is a false economy.

Is it worth investing in brand design?

Yes — if the timing is right. A strong brand builds trust, attracts the right clients, allows you to charge more, and makes every other piece of marketing more effective. It's not a cost, it's an asset.

If you're just testing a business idea, a simple logo might be enough for now. But if you're ready to grow, a proper brand identity is one of the best investments you can make.

How VIVI Creative approaches brand design

At VIVI Creative, we work with startups and established businesses across the UK and worldwide. With 13 years of experience in branding, illustration, and design, we offer the personal touch you won't get from a large agency — Viv Harries works directly with every client from start to finish.

We offer brand design packages tailored to your business and budget. Get in touch for a free consultation →