So, you’re here to learn about the difference between a custom logo and a template logo, right? If so, you’re already on the right tab. Actually, a logo is what makes your brand stand out. Look, people may forget your name or who’s behind your business, but they’ll remember the logo for sure. Studies show that strong branding with a captivating logo design can increase revenue by 23%.
In the last five years, 78% of top brands have updated their logos to refresh their image. This shows just how important a logo is for a company! As you approach creating a logo for your brand, some recommend customizing it to your preferences, while others offer thousands of templates to choose from. So, there’s a debate about it. Those who don’t want to spend much time on logo design go with the templates; others put their brain muscles into making a suitable one.
We’ll discuss which one is worth your business and show you why. By the end of this article, you’ll know the difference between a custom logo and a template logo and be able to choose the right logo for your company. So, are you ready to dive into it? Get started.
As you can anticipate, custom logos require a lot of time, effort, and money to create. And they have several benefits, too! Custom logos, on the other hand, are a cheaper way to get things done quickly! The following chart will give you an idea about the rest of this section:
| Aspect | Custom Logo | Template Logo |
|---|---|---|
| Design Originality | Custom logos are usually created from scratch. Hence, they appear unique and original. | Template logos are already designed, so they lack uniqueness. |
| Brand Representation | Custom logos can represent the brand’s value, personality, and mission through any elements you want to put in it. | Template logos are generic and don’t allow you to modify much. |
| Cost Considerations | Since custom logos require more time and effort, they are expensive. | Template logos are available at a cheap rate and sometimes free. |
| Time Efficiency | Custom logos take weeks or months to develop. | You can modify a template logo within a few hours. |
| Ownership and Rights | Brands get full ownership of a custom logo. You can have the copyright so no one else can use your logo. | Template logos are widely available, so your logo might look similar to someone else’s. |
Custom logos are original innovations! They are made from scratch based on whatever idea you think suits them best. As you can put your utmost creativity into this design, you can reflect your brand’s personality, value, and mission. Eventually, a custom logo will end up representing your brand in a more unique and original way.
Template logos are existing designs to which you can add your brand name and mottos. Since they are pre-made designs, completing them takes less time. All you have to do is select a template that your designer offers. You can’t show much creativity in such designs. So they cannot accurately represent your brand.
You can have the complete freedom to include whatever elements you want in a custom logo. From the logo font, color, and layout to the message you want to convey, everything can be added ideally. A custom logo not only gives you a unique design but also captures your brand's values, appeal, and the essence of your business.
But, a template logo can only create a generic appeal. It can’t be specific about your brand. Many brands use this type of logo. So, it fails to convey the unique message you want for your brand!
When comparing custom logos and template logos, cost is a significant factor. Custom logos typically require a higher upfront investment because they require professional designers. Making a custom logo is a lengthy process that includes research, multiple design revisions, and a unique creative approach. The total cost can vary depending on the designer’s experience and the complexity of the design. Additional services like brand guidelines or file formats also affect the cost.
Template logos are cheaper. They cost anywhere from free to a few hundred dollars. You can easily customize them using online tools. But, they lack originality and the flexibility for extreme modification. As a result, template logos end up looking like others.
Creating a custom logo is a detailed process. First, designers work with clients to understand the brand’s values, audience, and style. Then, they develop several concepts and refine them based on feedback. This back-and-forth can take weeks or months, depending on revisions. Finalizing details like colors, fonts, and scalability also takes a few days. Eventually, you get a unique logo that perfectly matches the brand.
Template logos are much faster. Businesses can pick a pre-designed template and make small changes, like adjusting colors or fonts. This process usually takes a few hours or days at most. While this saves time, it doesn’t offer the same level of uniqueness. Template logos are great for quick branding but might not reflect the brand’s identity.
You own the design outright with a custom logo. Yeah! It’s your intellectual property, so you have the freedom to use, change, or trademark it without limits. Since the original file will be handed over to you, a modification will require no experts. And no one can use your logo legally. If anyone does, you can claim copyright issues.
On the other hand, template logos come with limited rights. When you buy or use a template, the original creator still owns the design. You can use it for your brand but can’t make big changes. Many platforms display the same design on their websites, so multiple businesses might use the same design as your brand.
A custom logo is an original design that represents a business or organization. It perfectly aligns with the brand's mission, vision, and essence. Throughout its making process, designers collaborate with the client, create multiple drafts, and finally create a logo that suits the company.
Professionals create this logo using Adobe Illustrator, or CorelDRAW. Of course — they use the paid version, which is why they charge so much. After completing the logo, they will provide you with the print and digital files.
As I’ve mentioned, creating a custom logo is a lengthy process. It starts with research, where designers learn about the brand, its audience, values, competitors, and everything relevant. Knowing the essence of the brand and everything around it is what they look for in the initial step.
Next, designers sketch different logo ideas using various styles and shapes. They then refine the best concepts and create digital drafts for the client. After that, the client reviews the drafts and provides feedback. Based on their comments, the design is adjusted, including color, typography, and structure.
Once the logo is perfected, it’s finalized in different formats for various uses. The designer ensures that the logo works well at any size.
Professional designers create custom logos. They are experts at it, and the output justifies their cost. While making the design, they consider multiple things, from the audience to market trends and the brand's personality! The final output they provide can be used anywhere you like. Yeah, these designers play a key role in designing custom logos.
Creating a custom logo takes time because of the detailed process. It starts with understanding the brand’s values, vision, and market position through discussions with the client and sometimes research. Designers then explore different ideas, experimenting with styles, elements, and colors.
They also go through several rounds of making samples and receiving feedback before finally producing the final output, so it usually takes longer to create. When making a custom logo, keep in mind one or two months. It varies from logo design company to company. We’ve seen that some top-level logo design companies like Graphic Design Eye take 24 hours to at most 7 days to create a mouthwatering custom logo!
Indeed, a template logo is a pre-made design that is available on multiple design platforms. Anyone can customize it and own it. Since you get the ready-made design, modifying it usually takes less effort and time.
Businesses that use template logos just customize them to their choices! Changing colors, fonts, and icons and adding a brand name and motto is all it takes. Creating a template logo is quick, but it might lack uniqueness since others may use the same templates.
Template logos come with ready-made layouts that you can customize by changing colors, fonts, and icons. This simplifies the design process for businesses with limited time or resources.
Since template logos are pre-designed, so you don’t have to start from scratch. You simply pick a template that fits your brand and tweak it to match your business needs. The tools are easy to use, so even beginners can create professional-looking logos quickly.
Template logos are designed to be affordable and easily accessible. They are widely available on different platforms for a set price. Their ultimate appeal is that they help companies build a brand identity without the high cost of custom logo design services. This makes them a practical option for startups, small businesses, or anyone looking to save money while still creating a visual brand!
Template logos have limitations when it comes to customization. You can change basic things like colors, fonts, and icons, but the overall design often stays the same. It is hard to match the logo with your brand's identity fully. Some platforms give you more flexibility but still don’t offer the creative freedom custom logos do.
Modification means revising the qualification of your logo. So, it means a lot. Candidly, Adobe Illustrator is the best software to modify your custom logos. And mind it, there is no chance of losing quality while modifying of logo with Adobe Illustrator!
Now, we come to the most crucial discussion of choosing a logo for you. Well! You just have to determine three things perfectly. Only then you can create a logo that perfectly suits your business. Let’s check out what they are:
A logo should capture the heart of your brand.
So, it’s important to determine your brand's personality. The clearer you are about your business, the better you can guide your designer when creating a custom logo. Even if you’re picking a template, knowing the essence of your brand will help you pick a template that closely matches your company!
When setting a brand logo, determining your budget is essential. Based on your budget, you can choose a template logo or a customized one. If you choose a customized one, consider how much you can invest. Based on your budget, set the requirements for the designer.
Remember, the more complex a design is, the more expensive it will be.
Figuring out how much time you have is also necessary besides the budget. Because customized logos typically require several weeks to design. If you don’t have much time, go with the template logos. These logos can be customized within hours.
Don’t worry, they won’t miss the professional appearance. Template logos may not fully align with your brand, and you won't have exclusive ownership of them. Apart from that, they are a good option for businesses that need a logo quickly.
Finally, we’re at the end! Have you understood the difference between a custom logo and a template logo? Hopefully, it’s yes. Actually, it’s not so tough to understand it as we’ve presented the difference in a simple way for your better understanding.
When choosing between custom and template logos, both have pros and cons. Custom logos are one-of-a-kind, designed just for your brand, and help you stand out. But they take more time and cost more money.
Template logos are quicker and cheaper, ideal for businesses with tight budgets or deadlines. They provide a basic brand look but may lack originality, making it harder to stand out.
Of course, it depends on your goals. A custom logo is worth the investment if you want a unique, memorable brand. But if you’re limited by time or you have a tight budget, a template logo can be a good start. Just make sure your logo matches your brand’s message for long-term success.
As a business owner, you’ll find surely custom logo that’ll make an impact on your target customer’s minds. Can’t you get a way out while you have a good fight with your tight budget when you desire a custom logo? Relax!
Contact Graphic Design Eye to design your desired custom logo for your business at an affordable price. Hopefully, you’ll not regret it and thank us later!
No more today! Another day, another topic. Till then, stay safe and keep your hopes alive! 😀
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