First-Time Logo? Here’s Our Designer Recommendations

Need a logo but don’t have $500 for a designer? Here’s exactly where to get quality logos cheap, and how to make sure they work on shirts. Call Nick at (812) 537-3461 – I’ll help you figure it out.

Yesterday, a guy starting a landscaping business came in. “I need shirts, but I don’t have a logo yet. Designer wants $800.”

I pulled up Fiverr on my phone. “Try this person. $35. Has 2,000 five-star reviews.”

Today he picked up his shirts. Logo looks like he paid hundreds for it. Because it’s not about where you get it – it’s about knowing what to ask for.

The Truth About Logo Design

You don’t need to spend fortune on a logo. You need:

• Something clean and simple
• Files that work for printing
• Colors that make sense
• Design that scales up/down
• Rights to use it everywhere

That’s it. Everything else is designer ego.

Our starter bundle includes basic logo setup.

Where to Get Affordable Logos

Fiverr (My #1 Recommendation):

• Start at $5-50 for basic logos
• Read reviews carefully
• Look for sellers with print experience
• Ask for vector files (AI, EPS, PDF)
• Get source files in your package

99designs:

• Contest format – multiple options
• Higher cost ($299+) but more choices
• Good for picky clients
• Professional results

Canva:

• DIY option if you’re creative
• Templates available
• Limited for print use
• Good for simple text logos

Local Design Students:

• Portfolio building prices
• Eager to please
• Hit or miss quality
• Support local talent

What to Tell Your Designer

Copy and paste this to any designer:

“I need a logo for [YOUR BUSINESS TYPE]. It will be used primarily on apparel (t-shirts, polos, hats) but also business cards and website.

Requirements:
– Clean, simple design
– Maximum 3 colors
– Must work in single color
– Readable at 3 inches wide
– Vector files (AI, EPS, PDF)
– PNG with transparent background
– Black and white version
– Full rights for commercial use

Style: [DESCRIBE WHAT YOU LIKE]
Avoid: [WHAT YOU DON’T WANT]
Competition: [LINKS TO SIMILAR BUSINESSES]”

That’s exactly what print shops need.

Embroidery has special requirements – keep designs simple.

Logo Mistakes That Cost Money

I see these every week:

Too Detailed:
Beautiful on screen, muddy on shirts. Simplify.

Gradient Dependent:
Gradients don’t screen print well. Need solid colors.

Tiny Text:
If you can’t read it at arm’s length, it’s too small.

Wrong File Types:
JPEGs from Facebook don’t work. Need vectors.

Stolen Images:
That cool graphic from Google? Copyrighted. Don’t.

Real Examples from Real Businesses

The Plumber’s Perfect Logo:
Pipe wrench icon + company name. Two colors. Cost: $40 on Fiverr. Looks professional on everything.

The Food Truck’s Fix:
Originally had 8-color illustration. Simplified to 3-color icon. Saved fortune on printing.

The Contractor’s Correction:
Had detailed house drawing. Changed to simple roofline. Now works on hats too.

The Bakery’s Beauty:
Rolling pin + text. One color. Timeless. $25 on Fiverr.

Free “Logo” Options (If You’re Really Broke)

Sometimes you just need text that looks good:

• Pick a good font (we have hundreds)
• Add simple icon from our library
• Layout text professionally
• Boom – functional “logo”

Not ideal long-term, but gets you started.

Corporate clients often start simple and upgrade later.

Making Your Logo Print-Ready

Got a logo but not sure if it’s print-ready? Here’s the test:

1. Can you enlarge it 10x without pixelation?
2. Does it work in black and white?
3. Can you count the colors on one hand?
4. Is text readable at business card size?
5. Do you have vector files?

If you answered no to any, let’s fix it before printing.

When to Splurge on Design

Sometimes paying more makes sense:

• Retail/restaurant needing brand system
• Professional services (trust matters)
• Planning major marketing push
• Trademark considerations
• Franchise requirements

But for most small businesses? Fiverr works fine.

P.S. – That landscaping guy? His Fiverr logo looks so good, people ask who designed it. He tells them the truth: “Some genius in Pakistan for $35.” Then he sends them to me for the shirts. Everyone wins.