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How to Start a Business With No Money

How to Write a Business Plan

Industry Business Planning Guides

10 Qualities of a Good Business Plan

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How to Start a Graphic Design Business in 10 Steps

Preston Lee

Preston Lee is the founder of Millo where he and his team have been helping freelancers thrive for over a decade. His advice has been featured by Entrepreneur, Inc, Forbes, Adobe, and many more. Learn more »

Adam Wright

Adam Wright is the Content Manager at Millo, in addition to running his own graphic and web design business, Adam Wright Design. When he's not working on his business, you can find him watching hockey or just about any type of racing. Learn more »

1. Find your first graphic design clients

2. set your pricing, 3. name your graphic design business, 4. build a basic website, 5. develop a simple business plan, 6. communicate with your clients, 7. deliver high-quality projects on-time, 8. write and send professional invoices, 9. collect payments from your design clients, 10. ask for referrals, repeat steps 5-10 regularly in order to grow.

BIG NEWS! We just released The Freelance Files , a collection of professional done-for-you email scripts, contracts, invoices, and more for smarter freelancing. The first 50 customers, save 50% with this link .

Starting a graphic design business can be an exhilarating and exciting adventure whether you’re hoping to work for yourself full-time or just make a little extra money from an on-the-side design business.

And it’s pretty straightforward too if you’re willing to put in the work.

I’ve coached thousands of graphic designers over the last 10+ years through this blog , our podcast , and our mastermind group . So in this article, I’ll take everything I’ve learned after a decade of coaching to help you know exactly what to do to start a graphic design business . I’ve broken the process into 10 steps, which you’ll find below.

• Always start with finding clients—never anything else.
• Develop a solid business plan that includes your pricing structure, marketing strategy, and financial projections.
• Build a strong online presence and create a professional portfolio that showcases your skills and expertise.
• Establish relationships with other designers, freelancers, and industry professionals to build a strong network and generate referrals.
• Focus on providing exceptional customer service and building positive relationships with clients to ensure repeat business and ongoing success.

You might find it surprising, but my first step is to secure design clients.

What about crafting your portfolio, deciding on a business name, or obtaining a business license, you might ask?

Indeed, these elements are crucial.

However, I’ve observed many designers get lost in these preliminary tasks and burn out before they even engage with potential clients. Initiating a graphic design venture can become daunting if you start with the minutiae of business operations.

Therefore, we’ll kick off your design business on a positive note by securing your initial design clients. Once you have a few clients ready to compensate you for your work, you’ll be amazed at the surge of excitement, energy, and drive within you.

With this newfound momentum, you’ll find yourself well-equipped to address the remaining tasks.

Therefore, goal #1: find graphic design clients .

Where do you find graphic design clients?

If you’re a beginner at small business, you might be asking yourself: Where can I even begin to find my first design clients?

Lucky for you, finding graphic design clients has literally never been easier. There are hundreds of freelance job sites around the web to help you find exactly the kinds of clients you’re looking for.

For example, sites like Fiverr offer a huge marketplace of entry-level clients that can get you started when learning how to start a graphic design business. These most likely aren’t the kinds of clients you want to work with forever (although some may be), but they’re a great way to get some experience, a few portfolio pieces, some cash, and some confidence.

You can also find some nice entry-level work on sites like Upwork . Upwork is one of the most popular freelance marketplaces in the world and you’ll find access to thousands of graphic design jobs there.

To take action: here are 2 of our favorite sites to find design clients fast:

SolidGigs’ team of fellow freelancers combs through thousands of freelance job boards every weekday and posts the very best leads to your custom inbox.

You can learn more about SolidGigs here .

Next up is the largest freelance services marketplace in the world (at least I think it is). It’s called Upwork and lots of freelancers have built their own six-figure businesses on the back of this powerful platform, including this guy .

In the beginning, don’t be too picky

When you’re in the early stages, you might encounter seasoned freelancers and “experts” advising you to be choosy about your clientele.

They can afford such selectiveness, can’t they? After all, they’ve been at the helm of their small businesses for years, with client acquisition now a routine matter for them.

But you? You’re in immediate need of graphic design clients.

In the beginning, it’s wise to accept any reasonable graphic design work at a fair price. The potential of these initial projects is often underestimated.

At the very least, they’ll furnish you with confidence, experience, and valuable additions to your portfolio. In the best-case scenario, they might evolve into enduring, profitable business connections or serve as gateways to additional clientele.

Your client roster can be refined over time. However, for now, avoid being overly selective to the point where your graphic design venture never takes flight. This very trap has led to the downfall of many aspiring designers.

Now, let’s dive into the topic of your pricing structure.

Are you thinking of billing your clients on an hourly basis, per project, or according to the value you provide?

For those just beginning, hourly rates are straightforward and quite prevalent, but you might consider other pricing strategies as you gain more ground.

Figuring out what to charge graphic design clients

Deciding on your rates can be daunting. To assist, we’ve developed a complimentary calculator to help pinpoint your ideal charge.

But let’s be real—if you’re at a complete loss about your rates, just pick a starting point. Should a prospect hesitate at your quote, you might adjust downward slightly. Conversely, if there’s no negotiation from the client’s side, consider increasing your rate for the next project.

You’ll eventually find a sweet spot for your pricing. Make it a habit to reassess your rates regularly. You might be surprised at how much you can command as you progress.

With a few clients under your belt and the confidence for the long journey ahead, it’s time to establish the foundation of your solid small business, beginning with a thoughtfully chosen business name.

Deciding between using your own name or creating a business name

A common initial query for anyone starting in graphic design might be:

“Should I use my own name, or should I craft a unique business name?”

The straightforward answer is: it’s not overly critical. Choose something that resonates with you. Remember, you can always opt for a change down the line.

Delving deeper, the decision warrants some consideration.

While my suggestion is to select a name and forge ahead (bearing in mind that changes are feasible, albeit not ideal, but certainly manageable), the process of choosing your graphic design business’s name might necessitate more deliberation.

The name you settle on can influence various aspects of your design business, such as:

• Your potential to command higher rates for your design work.
• The ease with which people recall your brand.
• The type of design projects you’ll attract, including the industry, quality, and magnitude.
• The likelihood of being recommended by others.
• Your legal ability to operate without violating copyright or trademark laws.
• And much more…

My top advice for naming your graphic design business

To keep the process straightforward, here’s my prime piece of advice for naming:

Prioritize simplicity: ensure it’s easy to pronounce, remember, and spell

It’s tempting to get overly intricate, witty, or inventive with your design business’s name. Instead, aim for simplicity. Your business name should be easily articulated, spelled, and recalled by potential clients.

Make sure it’s available on the web

Before you fall in love with any name too much, you should check its availability around the web. Are the social media channels you hope to use (if any) available? Is there a domain that works well for your design company name?

In order to keep your ideas safe from domain squatters use something like Bluehost or Dreamhost  to check domain availability without risking it being parked or squatted.

Ensure you personally love it & it speaks to the vision of your company

While I really don’t want you to get paralyzed by the task of choosing a domain name (see the next point) it’s also critical that you feel good about your name and it speaks to the vision of your graphic design business.

You’re going to have to say the name of your business a lot. You’ll have to type it. You’ll have to speak it out loud. And if you feel silly about it or have to explain the context or feel the need to pronounce it for people, that’s going to get old really fast.

Don’t get paralyzed by decision

The biggest error I see people make in this regard is getting stuck on all the possible graphic design business names that are available.

The ultimate enemy here is indecision. Because while this is an important decision for your business, getting back to the revenue-driving decisions is far more critical at this stage.

For more help, you can also download my business-naming workbook which will walk you through an easy-to-follow process for naming your design business successfully.

The next step is to build a basic website. I say basic because, just like naming your design business, it’s easy to get stuck or paralyzed by the seemingly overwhelming task of building your website. That’s why you can use an AI website generator to speed up the process of designing a website but if not you can use other tools.

Lucky for you, there are loads of very easy-to-use and affordable website builders to build your first portfolio website .

My top beginner website builder recommendations

Here are my personal top picks. None of them requires you to learn to code and they’re all affordable.

• Wix is an easy-to-use website builder with hundreds of beautifully designed templates to choose from—all with drag-and-drop functionality. They’ve even got quite a few portfolio-centric options to get you started.
• WordPress may require a little bit more technical know-how (still no coding required) but it definitely gives you more flexibility in the long run. And because it continues to be the most-used website builder on the Internet, there are millions of tutorials to help you if you get stuck.
• Pixpa is designed specifically for creatives and includes cool add-ons like a client-proofing area or a simple gallery feature.

The “minimum viable” portfolio site

For years, I have preached the importance of what I call a minimum viable portfolio .

As a designer you care very much about how things look, making it far too easy to overdo things, keep adding more and more, editing, adjusting tweaking.

Which often leads to never publishing your portfolio. Which means no clients. And no graphic design business.

The better path (the one I hope you’ll take) is to aim for a “minimum-viable” portfolio.

The term “minimum-viable” answers the question “what is the least I can do to prove my portfolio can generate sales?”

Then start with that. It doesn’t mean, as you grow your business you can’t revisit your site and optimize it for getting more clients ? You can. And you should.

For now, your mission is to learn how to start a graphic design business and get it off the ground. All the fancy stuff can come later once you have revenue coming in.

Once you’ve got a few clients in the door, you’ve named your business, and you’ve got a minimum-viable portfolio site, you can finally start thinking more strategically about how to start a graphic design business the right way.

In my experience, the best next step is to develop a business plan .

Why isn’t that the first step on the list? Because I didn’t want you to get stuck forever in the “planning” stage only to never actually make it to the executing stage. Far too many design businesses (and businesses of all kinds) get lost in the planning stage and never see the light of day.

But not your design business. No. You are going to be different.

You only need a very basic business plan. In fact, it doesn’t need to be more than one page long. You can follow our freelance business plan template here and fill it out in less than 30 minutes.

For an even shorter business plan, grab a piece of paper or a computer and answer the following questions:

• What services will my design business provide?
• Who is the ideal client for my graphic design business?
• How much will my design business charge for the work I do?
• What are your monthly design business revenue goals?
• How many clients do I need each month to hit my revenue goals?
• Where/how will I find new design clients? Or how will I retain current design clients?

Answering these and similar questions will help you maintain traction and gain momentum when getting started.

One thing you’d find out extremely quickly is you have to wear a lot of different hats. Not only are you a graphic designer, but you’re also the bookkeeper, the marketing manager, and the account manager.

Communicating regularly and effectively with your clients is an absolute must. Luckily, you can interact with them in various ways; some examples are phone calls, emails, direct messaging on social media, and webinars.

Make your lines of communication open to nurture leads and clients. You can set up a toll-free number or a business email to make your graphic design business look more professional to prospects. Remember that addressing client concerns outright with a positive approach is key to good customer service.

If you want to exercise good communication, keep in mind that the clients are the people who keep your business afloat. The freelance designers who I see succeed the fastest are the ones that realize their clients aren’t some burden they have to deal with, but an essential and wonderful part of their graphic design business.

If you find yourself overwhelmed with all the client communication, try using a CRM tool to keep track of all client interactions.

If being unprofessional in your communication methods doesn’t kill your business, then failing to deliver on your promises will.

This is another huge fail-point for many designers because they mistakenly think the hardest work is finding design clients when in reality, it can often be more difficult to manage multiple projects and always deliver on time.

Project management tools can help you manage your projects and tasks, keeping you on track and ensuring you give your design clients a positive experience every time.

This can be especially important in the early days of your graphic design business since a few bad reviews or bad word-of-mouth reports around your local city could signify a real setback for you.

Once you’ve delivered your work to your clients and you’re ready to get paid , you’ll want to create and send a professional invoice.

The most basic option is to just write an invoice in Google Docs, Word, or InDesign and send it over via email. But I recommend eventually using a professional invoice tool —where you can create and send invoices quickly and efficiently.

Plus, using tools like these mean your clients can pay directly from the invoice when they open it on their computer. And, if after a while, your client forgets to pay the invoice, many of these apps will remind them for you automatically.

When you’re first learning how to start a graphic design business, the idea of doing work you love every day can be exhilarating.

In fact, depending on how much you hate your day job , you might be hoping this business can be an escape from your cubicle into work you actually care about. But if you get so caught up in the day-to-day creative work that you forget to manage your business properly, you won’t be in business for long.

Indeed, a business that doesn’t generate income essentially remains a hobby, underlining the paramount importance of securing payments.

Easing the Awkwardness of Payment Collection

Requesting payment can feel uncomfortable, particularly for those new to the business world. To mitigate this discomfort, consider two straightforward strategies:

1. Normalize the Payment

It’s essential to recognize that exchanging money for services rendered is a standard business practice, occurring daily across various industries. Launching a graphic design venture is no exception.

Your clients routinely pay for services, whether it’s shipping costs with FedEx, electrical repairs, or even the weekly office donuts. It’s all part of conducting business. By treating payment collection as a routine aspect of your operations, you’ll help normalize the process for both parties.

2. Simplify the Payment Process for Clients

Difficulty in receiving payments might indicate a cumbersome payment process for your clients. Given that people often juggle busy schedules or may procrastinate, simplifying the payment process can significantly benefit both you and your clients.

Employing an online payment tool that facilitates direct bank transfers can streamline transactions. As your business evolves, you might consider setting up recurring invoices or securely storing client credit card details for seamless future payments.

With more experience, you could even prioritize payment collection by requiring it before delivering the final product. This approach can prevent protracted disputes or the hassle of pursuing overdue payments, though it’s advisable to adopt this practice once your business is more established.

No matter how many times I ask business owners what the most common way of getting new business is, I always get the same response:

Word of mouth .

Asking your graphic design clients for referrals can be a really great way to establish yourself. If you’re not sure where to get started, you can download our referral-generating email template .

But asking for referrals for your graphic design business shouldn’t be awkward or difficult. In fact, with a lot of practice you might even get good enough to ask for referrals throughout your process without ever blatantly begging for them .

Remember, part of the challenge of learning how to start a design business is ensuring you have continuous design work every month (not just this month) and referrals are a fantastic way to keep the client pool full.

This brings me to my last (unofficial) step in this process:

If you want your graphic design business to grow, you’ll need to constantly be making adjustments to your pricing, your client communications processes, your invoicing habits, and lots more.

That’s the fun of building a small business.

It’s like any great design project: it takes a lot of brainstorming, tweaking, adjusting, and refining. It’s a lot of hard work.

But you can do it. I know you can. And we’re here to help. Subscribe to our newsletter and join our FB mastermind group for added support and we’ll help you wherever we can along the way.

Keep the conversation going...

Over 10,000 of us are having daily conversations over in our free Facebook group and we'd love to see you there. Join us!

Freelancing Growth

Written by Preston Lee

Editor at millo.co.

Preston Lee is the founder of Millo where he and his team have been helping freelancers thrive for over a decade. His advice has been featured by Entrepreneur , Inc , Forbes , Adobe, and many more.

Preston's Articles

Reviewed & edited by Adam Wright , Editor at Millo.

At Millo, we strive to publish only the best, most trustworthy and reliable content for freelancers. You can learn more by reviewing our editorial policy .

Comments from the community

This is a very helpful article. It covers all the questions and doubts every beginner has.

Great Guide Greer!

Starting a new business …it’s not an easy task but you have written what exactly required to start a design business.

All these things are matter but the main thing is to know how the successful business owners like to shape the plans. We should check their footprints and follow –up them.

I think the best business plan is your words….

Keep up the awesome work!!!

Great and helpful blog to everyone. Thanks a lot for sharing this amazing article.

I’ve started freelancing a few months ago and a lot of what you wrote resonates with me. Especially the bit about finding good clients that you work well with.

I was also curious about how you get briefs from your clients. Do you have a template you get them to fill out or do you work with what they give you? I have recently found myself doing a lot of extra work which I feel is not on the initial brief but some how my client feels it is. It’s especially around brand ID stuff. Dose anyone find this difficult as well? Do you have any tips how I can ease my pain? Especially when there are multiple stakeholders in place who all feel like they require sign off, on every aspect of things.

Thanks for this, also i really appreciate those tools you recommended

thank you so much ,it helped me!

Very helpful .Thanks for sharing ☺

Hello April, I found this article very helpful! My question for you is what assets if any should I look forward into investing in, for example should I invest in some sort of printing machine, certain computer programs, scanners, etc.

Fantastic resource!

Structuring your business for taxes

When was this article published?

Great article! I really enjoy read each of sections. I only did a few of these aspects for my business, and i think i would add these steps to my business.

This was extremely helpful. Starting your own business is a daunting task and by breaking it down for viewers in such an organized and insightful manner is inspiring and palatable. I feel so inspired and motivated to begin.

i am totally agree with your all point. For me, one of the hard work is finding a reliable client for design business. I am enthusiast to follow your guidelines. Hope it will working for me to find few more client.

this article is very useful and have inspired me. thanks!

I wish everyone read this post before they startup.

How to make a proper portfolio for design and web firm. It would be great if you can send me some samples/

Very useful article thanks

Thank you for this great article, I like it, it’s very practical.

Great article

To tell about Web Design like producing a two Web pages can be skilled by just about anyone, but to build a self-sustaining work one needs the right tools, planning,training and experience. http://goo.gl/fsRNBT

Some great advice here. I have recently started my own Graphic and Design and Illustration business at http://nylelevi.com.com

Please take a look if you are interested in seeing what I do. You may even pick up some tips on how to present yourself online if you are planning to start your own business soon.

5 star on this one. copy/paste to clip board 😉

good ideas when you have enough capital

Great tips.. They can be applied not only to design business but to other kinds of businesses too.

I want to start my own business doing design

me too. Hope its moving forward for you. Reading this article and comments on my 9 to 5 London commute has made me think hard about next steps. I’d love to set my self up, just need to take the plunge i guess with lots of positive affirmations, 🙂

I started http://2cooldesign.co.za in 2005 and have never looked back, I’m always looking for more work. Want to be inspired, come see my awesome portfolio, Recommend me to your friends, please & thank you for taking a look ! All the best Guy Tasker creator of 2cooldesign.co.za Awesome Graphic design company based in South Africa. Online based Business, I work from home 🙂

Excellent article. Starting any business can be difficult, but if your passionate about what you want to achieve, it’s possible. It’s also advisable to participate in forums , you can learn and network with other professionals within the industry.

I fully agree with Mel on the emphasis upon work and letting it speak for itself. Also, as Kristine puts it, referrals are an essential customer-base but winning them requires a happy client network that will spread your word. Alongside putting up a team of incentive-driven, passionate & like-minded people, is something that greatly helps in the long run. They bring ideas, networks, energy and add a lot of support. Five year vision, six monthly targets, professional advisers, masters of business administration, etc. are sure-shot recipe, I feel, to bog down budding entrepreneurs, but become necessary when external opinions (investors, shareholders etc.) are unavoidable.

Hmmm… Great info!

On a side note, as I have learned from several business owners, clients are important, and so is marketing, but if you are good at what you do you really don’t have to spend as much time and cash on advertising as you think. Referrals help, but can and does give your client the impression you are looking to expand or take the focus away from them. It just needs to be tastefully done.

I’m thinking an infographic on the best ways to ask for a referral??

Otherwise this content is good. It seems a little heavy, as far as getting exposure etc, and simply to make money, but in my experience I’d rather focus on the work then what I’m trying to achieve financially (at least this is how it comes across) because if you’re good at what you do money will come 🙂

From my own experience, for a business the most important thing is Clients and Cash. Enough Cash at hand to keep rolling till Clients start filling in Cash and repeat. While most of your points address the Client angle, none of the points actual talk about Cash, for a new startup business keep the Cash register ringing is equally important 🙂

Great post, John! I would add that, along with the business plan, one should write a marketing plan. This plan should outline how the business owner will make the business plan a reality, from strategizing what to sell and when, to networking and proper utilization of social media. Without this supporting document, even the best business plan is just words.

Ah, #10! Can’t say enough about it….

I’m a believer in preframing for referrals. Each time I land a new account, I say to the Client, “I’m going to make you very happy. Your business will shine, you’ll feel like a rock star, and you will thrilled with the result. And when that happens, would you mind if I asked you to refer your colleagues/associates to me?” Of course, the response is always “I’d be happy to refer you – IF you impress me first!” Once the project is complete, I say to the Client “Remember when I asked you if you wouldn’t mind referring your colleagues/associates to me? What do you think, are you confident enough in my ability to send your friends or family my way?”

It’s a lot easier to ask for a referral when you’ve preframed your Client for it from the start. 95% of my work now is by referral/word of mouth, and I believe this is the reason. I rarely get a new client any other way anymore.

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Here is a free business plan sample for a graphic design services.

If you're passionate about graphic design and are considering turning your creativity into a career, you've landed on the perfect page.

In the content that follows, we will present you with a comprehensive business plan outline tailored for a graphic design venture.

As you might be aware, a strategic business plan is crucial for any aspiring entrepreneur. It serves as a roadmap, guiding you through establishing your brand, setting clear objectives, and outlining your approach to attract clients and grow your business.

To jumpstart your journey, you can utilize our graphic designer business plan template. Our team is also on standby to provide a free review and offer feedback on your completed plan.

How to draft a great business plan for your graphic design services?

A good business plan for a graphic designer must reflect the unique aspects of the creative services industry.

To start, it's important to provide a comprehensive overview of the design market. This includes current statistics and identifying emerging trends within the industry, similar to what we've incorporated in our graphic design business plan template .

Your business plan should articulate your vision clearly. Define your niche (such as logo design, branding, web design, etc.), identify your target market (startups, small businesses, large corporations, individual clients), and establish your unique value proposition (customized solutions, quick turnaround, specific design expertise).

Market analysis is a critical component. This means understanding your competitors, staying abreast of design trends, and knowing your potential clients' needs and preferences.

For a graphic designer, it's essential to showcase your portfolio. Detail the range of services you offer - from print to digital design - and demonstrate how these services can solve the problems or meet the needs of your target audience.

The operational plan should outline your work environment, whether it's a home office or a rented studio space, your hardware and software setup, and your process for managing projects and client communications.

Quality of work is paramount in graphic design. Emphasize your design process, attention to detail, and commitment to delivering high-quality, impactful designs.

Discuss your marketing and sales strategy. How will you build your brand and attract new clients? Consider your promotional tactics, networking strategies, and client retention plans.

Having a digital strategy, including a professional website and an active presence on platforms like Instagram or Behance, is crucial for showcasing your work and reaching potential clients.

The financial section is vital. It should cover your pricing model, sales projections, operational expenses, and the point at which your business will become profitable.

As a graphic designer, your income may vary based on project size and frequency, so it's important to have a clear financial plan. For assistance, you can refer to our financial forecast for graphic designers .

Compared to other business plans, a graphic design plan must focus more on intellectual property rights, portfolio development, and client acquisition strategies.

A well-crafted business plan will not only help you clarify your business strategy but also attract clients or secure financing.

Lenders and investors are interested in a solid market analysis, realistic financial projections, and a clear understanding of how you will manage your design projects and client relationships.

By presenting a detailed and substantiated plan, you show your professionalism and dedication to the success of your graphic design business.

To achieve these goals efficiently, you can fill out our graphic design business plan template .

A free example of business plan for a graphic design services

Here, we will provide a concise and illustrative example of a business plan for a specific project.

This example aims to provide an overview of the essential components of a business plan. It is important to note that this version is only a summary. As it stands, this business plan is not sufficiently developed to support a profitability strategy or convince a bank to provide financing.

To be effective, the business plan should be significantly more detailed, including up-to-date market data, more persuasive arguments, a thorough market study, a three-year action plan, as well as detailed financial tables such as a projected income statement, projected balance sheet, cash flow budget, and break-even analysis.

All these elements have been thoroughly included by our experts in the business plan template they have designed for a graphic designer .

Here, we will follow the same structure as in our business plan template.

Market Opportunity

Market data and figures.

The graphic design industry is a dynamic and evolving field with significant impact on various sectors.

Recent estimates value the global graphic design market at over $45 billion, with expectations for continued growth as businesses increasingly rely on visual content to communicate with their audiences.

In the United States alone, there are over 250,000 graphic design businesses, contributing to an annual revenue of approximately $15 billion for the industry.

These figures underscore the critical role of graphic designers in branding, marketing, and multimedia industries, highlighting their economic importance.

The graphic design landscape is shaped by several emerging trends and technological advancements.

Minimalism continues to dominate design preferences, with a focus on simplicity and clean lines. This is complemented by bold typography and vibrant color schemes that capture attention.

There is a growing emphasis on personalized and custom graphics, as businesses seek to stand out in a crowded marketplace with unique visual identities.

Advancements in design software and tools, such as virtual reality and augmented reality, are opening new avenues for immersive and interactive designs.

Additionally, the rise of social media platforms has led to an increased demand for engaging and shareable graphic content.

Environmental consciousness is also influencing design choices, with a push towards sustainable practices and materials in print design.

These trends reflect the graphic design industry's adaptability and its role in shaping how businesses and individuals communicate visually in the digital age.

Success Factors

Several factors contribute to the success of a graphic designer or design firm.

First and foremost, the ability to produce high-quality, innovative designs that effectively communicate a client's message is paramount.

Creativity and a strong understanding of design principles are essential for delivering compelling visual content.

Staying current with the latest design software and technologies can provide a competitive edge and enable designers to offer cutting-edge solutions.

Networking and building strong relationships with clients and other industry professionals can lead to referrals and repeat business.

Excellent customer service and the ability to work within deadlines and budgets are also critical for client satisfaction and retention.

Ultimately, a graphic designer's success hinges on their ability to adapt to industry trends, manage projects efficiently, and consistently deliver designs that resonate with target audiences.

The Project

Project presentation.

Our graphic design venture is tailored to cater to the increasing need for professional and creative visual communication solutions. Situated in a vibrant business district or operating online, this service will offer a comprehensive suite of graphic design services, including branding, logo design, marketing materials, web design, and more, all crafted with a keen eye for detail and contemporary aesthetics.

The emphasis will be on delivering bespoke, impactful, and visually compelling designs that resonate with the target audience and enhance our clients' brand identity.

This graphic design initiative aims to become a go-to resource for businesses and individuals alike, seeking to elevate their visual presence in a competitive market.

Value Proposition

The value proposition of our graphic design service is centered around providing innovative and personalized design solutions that effectively communicate our clients' brand message.

Our dedication to artistic excellence, strategic thinking, and customer satisfaction offers a transformative visual experience, while supporting the marketing goals and brand recognition of our clients.

We are committed to fostering a collaborative environment where clients feel understood and valued, and aim to educate them on the importance of professional design in achieving business success.

Our graphic design service strives to be a cornerstone for clients, delivering not just designs, but a visual language that speaks directly to their audience and distinguishes them from the competition.

Project Owner

The project owner is a seasoned graphic designer with a passion for visual storytelling and a knack for translating ideas into compelling design concepts.

With a background in graphic design and a portfolio that showcases a wide range of successful projects, they are poised to create a graphic design service that is renowned for its creativity, client-focused approach, and ability to deliver results.

Driven by a mission to empower brands through design, they are committed to staying ahead of industry trends and leveraging their expertise to provide clients with cutting-edge visual solutions.

Their dedication to the craft of design and their desire to make a lasting impact on clients' businesses are the driving forces behind this venture, aiming to set a new standard in the graphic design landscape.

The Market Study

Target market.

The target market for a graphic design business can be segmented into various groups.

Firstly, there are small to medium-sized businesses in need of branding, marketing materials, and digital design services to establish and maintain their market presence.

Secondly, individual entrepreneurs and professionals who require personal branding and promotional designs to enhance their visibility and credibility in their respective fields.

Additionally, the market includes larger corporations seeking to outsource creative projects, such as annual reports, corporate identity packages, and advertising campaigns.

Lastly, other potential clients include non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and event planners looking for design services for campaigns, events, and informational materials.

SWOT Analysis

A SWOT analysis for a graphic design business might highlight the following:

Strengths could include a strong portfolio showcasing a wide range of design skills, a well-established network of clients, and a reputation for creativity and timely delivery.

Weaknesses might involve the challenge of staying updated with the latest design software and trends, or the potential for workload fluctuations due to project-based work.

Opportunities could arise from the growing need for digital design with the increase in online businesses, as well as the potential to expand services to include web design and social media management.

Threats may include intense competition from other freelance designers and design agencies, as well as the need to continuously adapt to changing design technologies and client preferences.

Competitor Analysis

Competitor analysis for a graphic design business shows a diverse and competitive landscape.

Direct competitors include other freelance graphic designers and design agencies that offer similar services.

These competitors vie for clients by showcasing their design expertise, client testimonials, and portfolio quality.

Competitive advantages may be found in specialized design services, niche market expertise, strong client relationships, and a unique creative approach.

Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of these competitors is crucial for carving out a unique market position and developing client acquisition and retention strategies.

Competitive Advantages

The competitive advantages of a graphic design business may revolve around personalized service and a unique design aesthetic.

Offering tailored design solutions that align with a client's brand identity and business goals can set a designer apart from competitors.

Additionally, staying abreast of design trends and incorporating innovative techniques can enhance the appeal of the services offered.

Building a reputation for reliability, effective communication, and exceeding client expectations can foster long-term relationships and lead to repeat business and referrals.

Transparency in the design process and clear pricing structures also contribute to building trust and satisfaction among clients.

You can also read our articles about: - how to offer graphic design services: a complete guide - the customer segments of a graphic design services - the competition study for a graphic design services

The Strategy

Development plan.

Our three-year development plan for the graphic design business is designed to be dynamic and responsive to the evolving market.

In the first year, we will concentrate on building a robust portfolio and establishing a strong online presence to attract a diverse client base.

The second year will be focused on expanding our services to include branding packages, web design, and digital marketing, thereby offering a comprehensive suite of design solutions to our clients.

In the third year, we aim to collaborate with advertising agencies and corporate clients to secure larger projects and recurring contracts.

Throughout this period, we will prioritize staying ahead of design trends, investing in cutting-edge software, and continuously improving our technical skills to deliver exceptional value to our clients.

Business Model Canvas

The Business Model Canvas for our graphic design business targets entrepreneurs, small businesses, and corporations in need of professional visual content.

Our value proposition is centered on delivering high-quality, custom design work that effectively communicates our clients' brand messages.

We offer our services through various online platforms, utilizing key resources such as our design software, creative expertise, and a network of professional contacts.

Key activities include client consultations, design creation, project management, and ongoing client support.

Our revenue streams are generated from project-based fees, retainer agreements, and design service packages, while our costs are mainly associated with software subscriptions, marketing, and professional development.

Access a detailed and editable real Business Model Canvas in our business plan template .

Marketing Strategy

Our marketing strategy is built on showcasing our design expertise and building relationships with clients.

We plan to create a strong portfolio that demonstrates our range of skills and past successes. This will be complemented by testimonials and case studies to build credibility.

Networking events, social media marketing, and collaborations with influencers in the design community will help us reach a wider audience.

We will also offer free resources, such as design tips and templates, to engage potential clients and position ourselves as thought leaders in the industry.

Risk Policy

The risk policy for our graphic design business focuses on mitigating risks associated with client acquisition, project delivery, and data security.

We will implement clear contracts to define project scopes and deliverables, ensuring client expectations are managed effectively.

Regular data backups and adherence to cybersecurity best practices will protect our work and client information.

Cost management strategies will be in place to maintain financial stability, and professional indemnity insurance will cover any potential legal issues related to our design work.

Our commitment is to provide high-quality design services while safeguarding our business and our clients' interests.

Why Our Project is Viable

We are confident in the viability of our graphic design business due to the ever-increasing demand for professional visual content across all sectors.

With a focus on creativity, client satisfaction, and adaptability, we are well-positioned to capture market share and build a reputable brand.

We are enthusiastic about the opportunity to enhance our clients' visual communication strategies while growing a sustainable and innovative design business.

We remain flexible to industry changes and client needs, and we are excited about the future prospects of our graphic design venture.

You can also read our articles about: - the Business Model Canvas of a graphic design services - the marketing strategy for a graphic design services

The Financial Plan

Of course, the text presented below is far from sufficient to serve as a solid and credible financial analysis for a bank or potential investor. They expect specific numbers, financial statements, and charts demonstrating the profitability of your project.

All these elements are available in our business plan template for a graphic designer and our financial plan for a graphic designer .

Initial expenses for our graphic design business include investing in high-quality design software, powerful computing equipment to handle complex design tasks, setting up a professional website portfolio, acquiring licenses for stock images and fonts, and costs related to brand creation and launching targeted marketing campaigns to reach potential clients.

Our revenue assumptions are based on a thorough analysis of the market demand for graphic design services, considering the importance of strong visual branding for businesses and the increasing need for digital content.

We anticipate a steady growth in client acquisition, starting modestly and expanding as our portfolio and reputation in the graphic design industry strengthen.

The projected income statement indicates expected revenues from our design services, production costs (software subscriptions, design assets), and operating expenses (workspace rent, marketing, salaries for any support staff, etc.).

This results in a forecasted net profit essential for assessing the profitability of our graphic design venture over time.

The projected balance sheet reflects assets specific to our business, such as design software, hardware, and any pre-paid subscriptions, and liabilities including debts and anticipated expenses.

It shows the overall financial health of our graphic design business at the end of each period.

Our projected cash flow budget details incoming and outgoing cash flows, allowing us to anticipate our cash needs at any given time. This will enable us to manage our finances effectively and avoid cash flow problems.

The projected financing plan lists the specific financing sources we plan to use to cover our startup expenses.

The working capital requirement for our graphic design business will be closely monitored to ensure we have the necessary liquidity to finance our daily operations, including software subscription fees, marketing efforts, and any outsourced services or staff salaries.

The break-even point specific to our project is the level of sales needed to cover all our costs, including startup expenses, and start making a profit.

It will indicate when our business will become profitable.

Performance indicators we will track include the profit margin rate on our design services, the liquidity ratio to assess our ability to cover short-term financial obligations, and the return on investment to measure the effectiveness of our capital invested in the business.

These indicators will help us evaluate the financial health and overall success of our graphic design business.

If you want to know more about the financial analysis of this type of activity, please read our article about the financial plan for a graphic design services .

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Business Plan Template for Graphic Designer

• Great for beginners
• Ready-to-use, fully customizable Subcategory
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As a freelance graphic designer or a graphic design agency, you understand the importance of having a solid business plan. It's the blueprint that guides your success, helping you set clear goals, define your target audience, and map out effective marketing strategies. That's why ClickUp's Business Plan Template for Graphic Designers is a game-changer for your creative business!

With this template, you can:

• Identify your unique selling proposition and differentiate yourself from the competition
• Set realistic pricing strategies that ensure profitability without undervaluing your talent
• Create a comprehensive marketing plan to attract your ideal clients and stand out in a crowded market
• Develop financial projections that help you track your progress and make informed business decisions

Don't let your graphic design business run on guesswork. Get the ClickUp Business Plan Template for Graphic Designers and take control of your creative future today!

Business Plan Template for Graphic Designer Benefits

When using the Business Plan Template for Graphic Designers, you can expect the following benefits:

• Clear roadmap: Outline your business goals and strategies to stay focused and on track.
• Target audience insights: Identify and understand your target audience to tailor your services and marketing efforts.
• Pricing strategies: Determine competitive pricing that maximizes profitability while attracting clients.
• Effective marketing plans: Develop a comprehensive marketing strategy to reach and attract your target audience.
• Financial projections: Plan and forecast your finances to ensure profitability and make informed business decisions.

Main Elements of Graphic Designer Business Plan Template

ClickUp's Business Plan Template for Graphic Designers provides a comprehensive framework to help you outline and organize your business strategy in one place. Here are the main elements of this template:

• Custom Statuses: Keep track of your progress with four different statuses: Complete, In Progress, Needs Revision, and To Do.
• Custom Fields: Add specific details to your business plan using three custom fields: Reference, Approved, and Section, to ensure accuracy and organization.
• Custom Views: Utilize five different views, including Topics, Status, Timeline, Business Plan, and Getting Started Guide, to visualize your business plan from different perspectives and easily navigate through your content.
• Collaboration Tools: Collaborate with team members or clients using ClickUp's features such as comments, mentions, and task assignments, to gather feedback and ensure everyone is on the same page.
• Goal Tracking: Set goals and track progress towards them using ClickUp's Goals feature, ensuring you stay focused and accountable throughout the business planning process.

How To Use Business Plan Template for Graphic Designer

If you're a graphic designer looking to create a comprehensive business plan, follow these steps using the Business Plan Template in ClickUp:

1. Define your business vision and goals

Start by clearly defining your business vision and goals. Consider what you want to achieve as a graphic designer, such as expanding your client base, increasing revenue, or specializing in a particular niche.

Use the Goals feature in ClickUp to set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for your business.

2. Conduct market research and competitive analysis

Take the time to research your target market and understand your competition. Identify your ideal clients, their needs, and preferences. Analyze your competitors' strengths and weaknesses to identify opportunities and differentiate yourself in the market.

Use the Table view in ClickUp to gather and organize your market research data, including demographics, industry trends, and competitor analysis.

3. Develop your service offerings and pricing strategy

Determine the range of services you will offer as a graphic designer. Consider your skills, expertise, and the needs of your target market. Decide on the pricing structure for each service, taking into account factors such as your experience, overhead costs, and market rates.

Use custom fields in ClickUp to track and compare different service offerings, pricing options, and profit margins.

4. Create a marketing and sales plan

Outline your marketing and sales strategies to attract and retain clients. Identify the channels and tactics you will use to promote your services, such as social media marketing, networking events, or referrals. Develop a sales process that outlines how you will convert leads into paying clients.

Use the Automations feature in ClickUp to automate repetitive marketing tasks, such as social media scheduling or email campaigns. Use the Calendar view to plan and schedule your marketing and sales activities.

By following these steps and utilizing the Business Plan Template in ClickUp, you can create a solid foundation for your graphic design business and set yourself up for success.

Get Started with ClickUp’s Business Plan Template for Graphic Designer

Graphic designers and design agencies can use this Business Plan Template to outline their goals, strategies, and financial projections to ensure the success of their graphic design business.

First, hit “Add Template” to sign up for ClickUp and add the template to your Workspace. Make sure you designate which Space or location in your Workspace you’d like this template applied.

Next, invite relevant members or guests to your Workspace to start collaborating.

Now you can take advantage of the full potential of this template to create a comprehensive business plan:

• Use the Topics View to organize your business plan into different sections such as goals, target audience, pricing strategies, and marketing plans
• The Status View will help you track the progress of each section, whether it's complete, in progress, needs revision, or to do
• The Timeline View will help you set deadlines and visualize the timeline of your business plan
• The Business Plan View will give you an overview of your entire business plan in one place
• The Getting Started Guide View will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to use the template effectively
• Add custom fields like Reference, Approved, and Section to provide additional information and categorize your business plan
• Update statuses and custom fields as you work on each section to keep track of progress
• Monitor and analyze your business plan to ensure it aligns with your goals and objectives
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GRAPHIC DESIGN BUSINESS PLAN: 2023 Template & Easy Detailed Guide

• by Kenechukwu Muoghalu
• August 13, 2023
• No comments
• 8 minute read

Table of Contents Hide

What is a business plan in graphic design, what is the importance of a graphic design business plan, how do you write a business plan example, #1. executive summary, #2. company overview, #3. market analysis, #4. competitive analysis, #5. sales and marketing strategy, #6. operational plan, #7. management team, #8. financial plan, #9. appendix, how do i start a graphic design business, how much do i need to start a graphic design business, what type of business is graphic design, what equipment do you need to start a graphic design business, a graphic design business plan template for your company , how do graphic designers find clients, is graphic design profitable, how much should a graphic designer charge, what are the 7 types of graphic design, do you wish to finish your graphic design business plan in 1 day, where is a good place to start when starting a graphic design business, what are some legal aspects to keep in mind when starting your own design business, what skills should i have as a graphic designer.

Graphic design covers a wide range of functions, which include branding, making posters, print advertisements, publications, handbills, or billboards. This description alone will highlight the workload to expect as a graphic designer. Now, to curb these many responsibilities in your company, you will need a graphic design business plan. This article has provided all the necessary information you need to know about a graphic design business plan and how you can create one for your company using our unique template. 

We also have a pre-made graphic design business plan. In any case, you wish to get a business plan today. 

A graphic design business plan is a document that provides a snapshot of your company as it stands and also lays out your future growth plan. This same business plan can help you achieve those mapped-out goals over a given period. As a graphic designer, a business plan will serve as an organizer and companion to help you keep track of every business activity and also stay updated. 

The work of a business plan is to carefully analyze your business goals and strategies while showing you how you can attain them. Even as a startup business, you might need some means of financial assistance to help the growth of your company, and for you to achieve that aim, you will also need a business plan. 

Most times, entrepreneurs fail to embrace the importance of a business plan, but it is almost impossible for you to overlook the essence of a graphic design business plan in any company. Now that you understand the basics and importance of a graphic design business plan for your company, you will learn how to write one using this brief template below. 

To write your graphic design business plan, you can follow the easy-step template that we have provided below. With that template, you can come up with a compelling business plan that your readers will love. If you have trouble composing one, you can choose our pre-made business plan to get your company running.

How to Write a Business Plan for a Graphic Design Company

Writing a business plan does not just come from inspiration. To write a business plan, you will need to follow some processes in order to achieve a professional business plan. These steps include

Your executive summary , being the first section your readers will see, should provide an introduction to your business. The main goal of this section is to engage your reader by explaining the kind of services you offer and how you offer them. You should also include a brief summary of all the sections that will appear in your business plan. Talk about your competitors, marketing, management team, and target market. 

This is where you will give an in-depth explanation of the business. Tell your readers about your company’s history and how you started your graphic design business. You should also specify the type of graphic design business you offer. Is it a publishing graphic design, a website graphic design, a product graphic design, or all? 

Before writing the market analysis of your graphic design business plan, you should research thoroughly on your market. Any information that you provide here should be clear and accurate. It should show your readers how well you understand your market and how you can take advantage of that to make your business grow. You can also include a little information about your customer here and how you intend to serve them well.

Your competitive analysis is also another piece of research that needs to be carried out in your industry. Every business has a competitor, and to get ahead of them, you need to research them to know what they do best. You should also know their strengths and weaknesses. Also, discover how well they serve customers and then include the full details here. Lastly, tell your readers what makes your business unique and special compared to theirs.

A proper marketing plan should cover your product, price, place, and promotion. The essence of formulating a marketing plan is to increase sales with your potential clients and also create awareness for your company. In this section, you will need to tell your readers how you intend to attract customers and what your marketing plan entails. 

Every business has a goal and objective that they need to achieve over a given period of time. This section of your graphic design business plan should cover how you intend to achieve those goals and the basic operations you would follow to make it happen, either as a short-term goal or a long-term goal. 

To show your readers your graphic design business’s ability to succeed, you will need a strong management team. In this section, you will highlight your key players’ backgrounds and also mention their skills and experience in their mode of work. You can indirectly tell your readers how your team has the ability to grow a company. 

This is also a crucial part of any business plan, especially when seeking financial support from lenders or investors. It is essential that you include an income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement in this section of your plan. This information should clearly analyze your financial projections and how you intend to make profits over a given period. 

Lastly, this section should contain supporting documents that will make your plan more valid and compelling to me to add any license, certification, or qualifications to this section of your business plan. 

You need to put in your all-in commitment to your work to start your graphic design business in 2023. There is also a need to have a clear understanding of the market and any potential competitors you might encounter in your industry. You will also need to pay special attention to your target market. If you maintain a strong online presence and promote your website through digital marketing, then you will scale up your business in no time. The road to success is clear; you only need to follow the right route. 

It can cost approximately £18,000 to £23,000 to start a graphic design business in the UK. However, this cost can also differ depending on how advanced you want your business to be. If it is a more detailed start-up then it would cost you more. 

Graphic design can be classified on a freelance basis and can create materials for corporate clients, advertising agencies, public relations firms, and publishers, inclusive. They can also work as full-timers that provide visual solutions to a particular problem a company might be facing. 

When starting up as a designer, there are some important tools you need to show off your abilities efficiently. You will need a laptop, a high-resolution monitor, a portable hard drive, a graphics tablet, and some color swatches for extra creativity and practicality. As you expand more in your business, you might also discover more handling equipment you might need. 

Aside from following the above steps to create a compelling graphic design business plan for your company, you also need to make use of a template checklist. The essence of a checklist is to help you keep track of all the necessary processes you need to achieve while starting your new business. 

• Understand your skill
• Develop your skills.
• Identify your potential clients.
• Carry out a competitive analysis
• Set your price.
• Get your legal certification.
• Get a workspace 
• Design your marketing plan.

Before you think about finding a client, you must do some basic research to identify who your target audience really is. They can be large and medium corporate companies or even small local businesses. Once you have this information, then you will need to develop a marketing strategy that will enable you to find and attract your potential clients. 

Aside from the work and difficulty that are involved with being a graphic designer, it has also proven to be a highly reputable job in the UK that can earn you good cash. An average UK graphic designer earns a total of £31,000 a year and £12.37 per hour. 

If you are not a new designer, it is advisable to charge your services based on your portfolio or previous clients. However, if you are starting new in the industry and have had no clients in the past, it is best to charge according to other graphic designers in the industry. You can engage in market research to discover how much to charge, and from this, you will get an idea of how you want to charge your clients.  

The seven types of graphic design can be said to be product design, animation design, branding design, website design, print design, publishing design, and environmental design. With these options, a graphic designer will then choose a specific niche to work on.

Creating a business plan from scratch is a daunting task, especially when it is your first time, so you are not alone. It is understandable if you got hooked on a particular section of your plan, all you need is a little help, and I’ve got just the right idea. 

Have you tried using a professional pre-made graphic design business plan made by us? At Businessyield Consult, we specialize in helping entrepreneurs like you compose a professional business plan that works! We have helped multiple businesses and are looking forward to helping more. Grab a copy here and get your business on the go .

Once you have gotten hold of your graphic design business plan, it does not just end with having a plan. If you want your graphic design business to grow, you will need to constantly make adjustments to every little update and information about your business. When you make those changes, you can then measure if you are making progress or not. 

A graphic design business does not need a large space and location to start. As a graphic designer, all you need is a desk, table, and a laptop set-up or study space and you are good to go. If you are working with a large group of people, then you should consider getting an affordable co-working space for a start. 

A graphic design business does not need many requirements to start up. You only need to register your business with the government and get insurance for your company. You will also need copyrighting, trademarking, licensing, tax requirements, and some legal policies just to keep your business valid. 

As a graphic designer, there are some skills that can help you scale more. brand strategy, logo designing, social media branding, animation, typography, web designing, creating brochures, infographics, and some poster design skills. You can register for some courses that can help you acquire these skills if you lack any. 

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• BUSINESS PLAN COVER PAGE: How To Write Your Business Plan Cover Page

Kenechukwu Muoghalu

Kenny, an accomplished business writer with a decade of experience, excels in translating intricate industry insights into engaging articles. Her passion revolves around distilling the latest trends, offering actionable advice, and nurturing a comprehensive understanding of the business landscape. With a proven track record of delivering insightful content, Kenny is dedicated to empowering her readers with the knowledge needed to thrive in the dynamic and ever-evolving world of business.

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How to start a graphic design business in 2024: 17 steps.

Do you have graphic design skills and experience? Do you have that entrepreneurial spirit in you? If so, you must take time to learn how to start a graphic design business. While being a skilled designer is key, it won’t make a difference if you don’t have a solid business plan behind your work. 

In this guide, we’ll explain how to create a thriving career out of graphic design, with tips specifically put together for freelancers, independent contractors, and self-employed entrepreneurs. If you’re ready to get serious about starting your own graphic design business, this guide is for you. Let’s have a look and break down the process into 17 steps to success.

Key Takeaways

• When done correctly, a graphic design business can be very lucrative.
• Key elements for success in graphic design include a strong business plan, a specialized niche, and consistent lead-generation efforts.
• Professional design can be slow to start but will pick up as your portfolio and reputation grow.
• Professional graphic designers need business tools to help with project proposals, invoice creation, and payment management.

Table of Contents

• Choose a Name for Your Graphic Design Venture
• Register Your Business Name
• Obtain Your Tax Identification Number
• Establish a Business Bank Account
• Obtain the Necessary Permits and Licenses
• Obtain Business Insurance Coverage
• Develop a Comprehensive Business Plan
• Determine Pricing Strategy
• Build a Business Website
• Find Your Initial Clients
• Create a Proposal Template
• Get in Touch with Your Clients
• Deliver High-Quality Work 
• Generate and Send Professional Invoices
• Manage Invoice Payments
• Collect Testimonials
• Request Referrals

Do’s and Don’ts When Starting a Graphic Design Business

• What Does a Graphic Designer Do?

Graphic Design Business Ideas

Kickstart your graphic design venture.

• Frequently Asked Questions

1. Choose a Name for Your Graphic Design Venture

First things first, you’ll need a great name for your business. Make sure to choose something easy to spell and remember, which will help when someone wants to refer you or look you up. You could also name your business after yourself if you prefer. While you’re at it, take some time to create a great logo—it should reflect your design skills, of course, advertising your abilities to prospective clients.

2. Register Your Business Name

With your name (and logo) sorted, you’ll need to register your business as either a sole proprietorship or limited liability company (LLC). For freelancers without employees, sole proprietorship is the simpler option for tax and financial purposes. If you expand your business later, you can always change your registration to become an LLC. 

3. Obtain Your Tax Identification Number

Once your name has been registered, you can apply for your federal and state (if applicable) tax identification numbers. This is essential to become a legal business entity. It’s free and quick to apply for your federal employer identification number (FEIN) with the IRS when you use their online service. You’ll have to double-check the process for state employer account numbers in your specific state, and apply for that number if required. 

4. Establish a Business Bank Account

Though not strictly required when you start out, opening a business bank account for your budding graphic design enterprise is highly recommended. This will help you keep business and personal finances separate, making taxes and accounting much simpler throughout the year.

5. Obtain the Necessary Permits and Licenses

This step will mostly depend on the state and municipality that you operate within. Depending on your location and the nature of your business, you might be required to obtain business permits, licenses, or registrations. Check out your state’s official website for more information.

6. Obtain Business Insurance Coverage

Business insurance might not seem necessary at first, but you’ll be glad you have it. Business insurance can help protect you from lawsuits, cover financial losses resulting in disputes about ownership or originality, and assist with costs related to data loss due to corruption or cyber attacks.

7. Develop a Comprehensive Business Plan

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail—this old adage is especially true for starting a business, so be sure to consider it thoroughly as you’re in the preparation stages. Map out the way that every aspect of your business will operate, including:

• What services and packages will you offer?
• What industry/project type niches will your business focus on?
• Who are your target customers?
• What will your rates be?
• What’s your plan to find graphic design clients?
• How can you get on retainer with your clients?

Considering these questions and working them into your overall business plan will give your design startup a much-needed boost in the early days. 

8. Determine Pricing Strategy

When you set your pricing, it’s crucial that you consider your expenses, your material/equipment costs, and of course, how you value your time and labor. Think about your ideal monthly revenue, then work out how many clients you would need (and how much they would be paying) to make that possible. Work backward from these numbers to help you set your rates. Also, be sure to consider whether you’ll charge hourly or by the project.

9. Build a Business Website

Today, every business has a website—which means yours will need one too! It’s never been easier to build your own business website. At a minimum, it needs to include is your:

• An ‘About Me’ section
• Contact information

Websites like this are usually simple and inexpensive to create and the value they provide more than makes up for the costs of securing a domain. 

10. Find Your Initial Clients

With the groundwork mostly set, it’s time to strike out and find your own business. Here are a few tips to help you find some initial clients to kickstart your new graphic design business:

• Spread the word yourself—personally tell your friends, peers, family members, and anyone else you can about your new venture
• Take a moment to update your LinkedIn profile and your other social media accounts
• Try an online marketplace like Upwork or Fiverr to find some quick, easy jobs for your portfolio, especially if you can secure contracts with small business owners
• Use your downtime between clients to design and sell products, such as digital prints, apparel, stickers, and anything else you can think of

Provided you do good work for this initial round of clients, some of them should pass the good word to other people they know. Hopefully, this results in more business for you later on!

11. Create a Proposal Template

Custom proposals are a great way to demonstrate the value of your services to prospective clients. They also make you appear prepared and professional—both are great traits for a professional designer. If you don’t want to spend too much time creating great-looking proposals, you can use a tool like proposal software , which is quick and easy to fill out for each job you outline. Plus, it’s simple to customize it to reflect the branding of your own business—essential for graphic designers who want to be taken seriously. 

12. Get in Touch with Your Clients

Consistent client communication is essential for your success in the graphic design business. While much of the work itself is independent, it’s important to create a reputation for keeping in touch with your clients. This helps keep you in your clients’ minds (making them more likely to hire you again) and also ensures your projects go ahead without any hold-ups or miscommunications.

13. Deliver High-Quality Work 

Of course, nothing else on this list matters if your work isn’t up to snuff. Take your time with each project, treating it with the care and attention to detail that your graphic design clients expect (and are paying for). Follow your briefs closely and always deliver on time. This will ensure you leave a good impression, making clients more likely to work with you again. 

14. Generate and Send Professional Invoices

Invoicing is a key process to master for any business owner, and graphic designers are no exception! While creating invoices is crucial for getting paid on time and in full, it can be a time-consuming process without the proper help. Free invoice templates help you make invoicing simpler and more efficient.

15. Manage Invoice Payments

Your invoices are sent, but you’re still waiting to get paid. Invoice payment management is essential to maintain a healthy cash flow for your business, and following up individually with every account can become overwhelming quickly. Try a tool like invoicing software to make invoices a breeze with the help of features like automated payment reminders, credit card payment capability, and much more.

16. Collect Testimonials

When you deliver work to a happy client, ask them for a testimonial afterward. Make it as easy as possible for them—suggest they leave a review on your LinkedIn, marketplace profile, or Google Review page. This will help you grow your reputation (and your portfolio) at the same time. 

17. Request Referrals

Lastly, politely ask your happy clients if they’d consider referring you to other businesses or solo entrepreneurs who might need your services. A word-of-mouth referral from a business owner is one of the most valuable leads you can get, so try to get used to requesting them when you finish a project.

As you go through the process of getting your graphic design business off the ground, it’s vital that you follow some best practices to ensure success. Remember: You’re a business owner in addition to a designer. Here are a few of the top Do’s and Don’ts for graphic designers beginning their business:

• Remember the value of your work—don’t get sucked into the cycle of undercharging for work just to secure a contract
• Focus on your business strategy from the beginning—it’s your roadmap to success
• If possible, seek mentorship from a seasoned freelance graphic designer who has learned lessons about your industry the hard way
• Prioritize authenticity—your individual tastes and aesthetics will set you apart from the competition
• Spend lots of time building your online presence through social media and your website—it’s a valuable lead-generation tool for finding new graphic design clients
• Do any work without a formal agreement—contracts and work agreements protect you from disputes, missed payments, and other professional issues
• Agree to every single project—if you can, try to be selective to ensure you’re building an authentic, honest, and well-compensated portfolio that reflects your tastes, worth, and values
• Niche down too far—while it’s good to focus on certain industries, don’t take this too far and alienate potential graphic design clients in slightly different niches
• Lose sight of your ‘why’! Your vision or mission statement—the reason you got into this business instead of something else—should propel you every single day

What Does a Graphic Designer Do?  

Graphic designers provide services related to printed and digital creative designs that can be used for many different types of media. Graphic designers are responsible for creating visual, physical, and digital products to use for signs, logos, advertisements, displays, and more.

Graphic design businesses also leverage technology to create digital elements for websites and online spaces. This might include designing web layouts, typefaces, digital illustrations, and more. In many scenarios, graphic design professionals either have a background in art, or work alongside art directors and web developers to produce the right products for a given project.

The graphic design industry is broad, with countless niches, specializations, and approaches for new professionals to choose from. As you start your business, it’s recommended that you work to establish yourself in a particular niche as soon as possible. This will help you become known as an expert in this area and attract higher-quality, higher-paying clients who need your particular skill set.

Here are a few of the more common graphic design niches that you might consider specializing in:

• Branding: Graphic design for brands and brand development (e.g., logo design, color schemes, etc.)
• Print design: Layout and print design (relevant for magazines, newspapers, and other physical or printed publications)
• Advertisements: Marketing and advertising-related graphic design services
• Packaging: Graphics for physical packaging and product labels
• Motion Graphics: For videos, animations, etc.
• Website Graphics: Images and designs for web and mobile development

No matter how you choose to position your business, it’s important that your niche is well-defined and in demand. Advertise your specializations wherever you advertise yourself, and continuously seek out businesses and clients in this area to further cement yourself as an expert.

With a better grasp on the 17 essential steps to beginning a graphic design business, you’re on your way to getting started the right way. You must have a strong business plan, a clear mission for your venture, and a collection of tools to make things easier on yourself.

You deserve to focus on your creative work, and your time shouldn’t be wasted fiddling with spreadsheets or emailing countless invoices. Accounting software is an invaluable tool for the busy graphic designer, ensuring the business side is handled so you can focus on what you do best. Try FreshBooks free today!

FAQs About Starting a Graphic Design Business

Do you have more questions about starting your graphic design business? Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about starting a graphic design business. 

How do you start a graphic design business online?

Starting an online graphic design business comes down to a great business plan, focused marketing, and building a strong portfolio. It might be difficult to land some initial clients, but once you do, you can leverage these projects for testimonials, portfolio examples, and referrals.

How do you start a graphic design business with no money?

You can start your graphic design business for next to nothing! It’s free to register for a tax ID number, and you can take on small projects on sites like Fiverr or Upwork to kickstart your portfolio. From here, you can try to work your way to higher-paying clients as your reputation grows.

Is a graphic design business profitable?

Becoming a graphic designer can be a profitable venture if done correctly. Because it depends on other businesses, there will almost always be a demand for design of some type. With that said, it takes time and effort to create a profitable business plan and develop a healthy roster of clients.

How much does it cost to start a graphic design business?

You could become a professional graphic designer for very little. The basic expenses are design software ($33.99 per month for Adobe Creative Cloud), a website domain ($0-$226 per month depending on your chosen platform), and your usual bills for a home design studio.

Jami Gong, MPAcc, CPA

About the author

Jami Gong is a Chartered Professional Account and Financial System Consultant. She holds a Masters Degree in Professional Accounting from the University of New South Wales. Her areas of expertise include accounting system and enterprise resource planning implementations, as well as accounting business process improvement and workflow design. Jami has collaborated with clients large and small in the technology, financial, and post-secondary fields.

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Graphic Design Business Plan Template

Published Jan.30, 2018

Updated Apr.23, 2024

By: Noor Muhammad

Average rating 3.8 / 5. Vote count: 4

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Table of Content

Do you want to start graphic design business?

Are you planning to start your own company of graphics designing ? Well, if you are creative and also have the ability to bring your creativity to the table then this is definitely the right business for you.

Graphic designing is probably one of the skills which are needed in nearly every other business. If you are not convinced, just look around you and you will see graphics everywhere. Graphic designing is needed in branding, posters, print advertisement, product packaging, publications (newspapers, books, magazines etc.), handbills, billboards, websites, in short nearly all areas. This business has undoubtedly a lot of market potential and a need for continuously emerging new and innovative minds.

The biggest benefit of starting this business is that it requires the least capital investment as compared to many other businesses. You can start this business in a small office with a small team and a little inventory comprising of laptops, and a few office and stationery products. The second benefit is that this business starts yielding a profit as soon as it is launched and has the least amount of risk associated with it, provided that you are creative and plan your business effectively.

So, before you move on to starting this venture, you will have to prepare a comprehensive graphics design business plans which will establish the basis of your company’s future operations and decisions. If you are wondering how to write one then here we are providing you the business plan for a graphic designing business startup named ‘PixelCo’.

Executive Summary

2.1 the business.

PixelCo will be a bonded, insured and licensed graphic design business striving to cultivate relevant and meaningful connections between brands and people by our unparalleled visuals and graphic designing services. PixelCo will be located in the Manhattan borough of the New York City and will be owned by Angela Gori, a world-renowned Graphic Designer. Gori has been associated with some of the world’s biggest graphics designing companies and was Chief Creative Officer for the American Marketing Association, D.C. Chapter for last 6 years. She has worked with about 14 out of top Fortune 100 companies as well as various influential associations, consumer brands, educational institutions and government agencies.

A 200 square feet office has already been acquired on lease in the center of the main commercial district of the downtown Manhattan. The place was formerly used as an office for a small IT firm. Some changes and interior designing woodwork are also required and a contractor has been hired for this purpose.

2.2 Management

The success of a startup heavily depends on its staff and management so make sure to plan it before thinking about how to start your own graphic design business . Gori has always been extremely passionate to start a graphic design company of her own even from her college days, that’s she had planned everything beforehand.

The main management body of the company will comprise of sales executives, graphic artists, cartoon and animation specialists, website developers and customer representatives. The team will be led and managed by Gori herself, who is well experienced in fulfilling all business plans for graphic design needs. The staff will be hired one month before the launch of startup and will be trained by Gori.

2.3 Customers

Our target market is the corporate sector, institutions, and organizations located in Manhattan and other parts of the world because anybody from anywhere can acquire our services through our official website and can pay us via PayPal, Payoneer, or online bank transfer. We will provide all sort of graphic designing business mainly website design, logo design, advertising material design, animations design, etc. We have priced all our services in the similar ranges as of our competitors except for brand logos whose price have been set 20% less so as to encourage sales. For an express delivery of 24 hours, an additional 10% amount will be charged on all of our services.

2.4 Business Target

We aim to become the best graphic designer in the New York City within next five years of our startup. Our main business targets to be achieved as milestones over the course of next three years are as follows:

• To achieve the net profit margin of $10k per month by the end of the first year, $15k per month by the end of the second year, and $25k per month by the end of the third year
• To balance the initial cost of the startup with earned profits by the end of the first year
• To open up a second company office by the end of three years in San Francisco, and a third office by the end of five years in Los Angeles

2.5 Keys to Success

We can achieve our business targets by following these keys to success:

• Successful marketing of our services through various platforms so as to attract as maximum customers as possible
• Ultimate client satisfaction by providing high-quality work and unlimited revisions until the client is fully satisfied
• Unparalleled customer service so as to build long-term working relationships with the clients

Company Summary

3.1 company owner.

PixelCo will be owned by Angela Gori, a world-renowned Graphic Designer. After completing her Masters of Art in Graphic Designing from University of Illinois, Chicago, Gori remained associated with some of the world’s biggest graphics designing companies and was Chief Creative Officer for the American Marketing Association, D.C. Chapter for last 6 years. She has also been recognized with the prestigious FOLIO: Top Women in Media award for her achievements as a leader. So far, she has worked with almost 14 out of top Fortune 100 companies as well as various influential associations, consumer brands, educational institutions and government agencies.

3.2 Why the Business is being started

Gori pursued her passion by serving in some of the biggest graphic designing companies of the United States but soon she realized that she can establish her name in this industry only by her own setup. That’s when she decided to start graphic design business completely by herself. Now, she will have all the freedom needed to realize even the craziest of her innovative ideas.

3.3 How the Business will be started

Starting a graphic design business is very easy since it doesn’t require as much inventory as needed in other businesses. Gori has planned everything about her business including the required personnel and inventory. The company will procure following things for the startup.

• Office furniture including three filing cabinets, four work desks, couch and chairs for customer waiting area, a round table with chairs for meeting area
• Four computers with color printers, scanners, and graphic tablets
• Graphic designing and other related software including Illustrator, Freehand, Photoshop, Quark, Traffic Office Manager, Font Management Utilities, and Microsoft Project
• A small library of requisite journals and magazines
• Assorted office stationary and brochures
• A strong internet connection and office telecom systems

The financial experts have forecasted following costs for expenses, assets, investment, and bank loans for the business plan .

The detailed start-up requirements, start-up funding, start-up expenses, total assets, total funding required, total liabilities, total planned investment, total capital and liabilities as forecasted by experts, is given below:

Services for customers

PixelCo will mainly provide visual communication and graphic designing services to small startups as well as established companies. We want to compete with all leading graphic design businesses in the United States, which is why we have formed a quality assurance team that will ensure that all of our services meet our customers’ expectations. Our products and services are listed below:

• Website design and graphics
• Print media design including newspapers, magazines, and books
• Advertising and corporate branding including brochures, infographics, posters and product packaging
• Logo design and visual identity services
• Illustrations and presentations
• Animations and cartoons production

Our services can either be acquired by visiting our office in downtown Manhattan or by our official website.

Customers can contact us online where they will be assigned to one of our representatives who will record the customer order in detail. Customers can also pay us via PayPal, Payoneer, or online bank transfer.

Marketing Analysis of graphic design business

The most important component of an effective graphic design business plans is its accurate marketing analysis that’s why Gori acquired the services of marketing experts to help her through this phase. It is only after this stage that a good graphic design business plans could have been developed. After identifying the trends of graphic design market in the New York City, the marketing experts and analysts also helped her to select the best site for establishing the main office of the company.

The success or failure of a business totally depends upon its marketing strategy which can only be developed on the basis of accurate marketing analysis. There are four main steps to carry out an accurate graphic design marketing analysis which are to identify the current market trends, identify your target audience and potential customers, set out the business targets to achieve, and finally set the prices of your products and services. Marketing analysis is extremely important because the planning of many subsequent components depends on it and it also forms the basis of the business strategy of marketing for graphic designers or graphic designing companies. Therefore, it must be considered before developing the planned business model graphic .

5.1 Market Trends

Graphic design is non-verbal or visual communication. Anything that cannot be done verbally but needs to be communicated must be put into some form of design so as to send the message across. If you look around you will find yourself surrounded by graphics, the picture on your coffee mug, the magazine cover, the pack of gum on your desk, and even the typeface in a TV ad are all examples of graphic design business plans.

That’s why graphic design industry is one of the biggest and the fastest growing industries in the world. As of 2017, there were more than 335,000 graphic design companies in the world including small and large companies as well as individual graphic design freelancers. The annual revenue earned by these businesses was over $62 Billion. Moreover, this industry is one of the few industries which have seen a constant increase in revenue along with the increase in business locations with time. Similarly, graphic designing is one of the popular businesses in the United States. According to the US Bureau of Labor, the graphic design industry employed more than 280,000 people in the US as of 2008 including web designers and other print designers as well.

This growth is attributed to the increase in other businesses in the United States since all businesses require graphic design services to appear professionally to the public. Graphic designing services are required by every business for its advertisement, promotion, and marketing and as other business increases, the market for graphic design business plans also increases. After identifying these market trends, it is clearly evident that the graphic design business is always blooming and can be immensely profitable provided that you plan your business successfully.

5.2 Marketing Segmentation

Our target market is the corporate sector located in the Central Business District of the Manhattan which provides many opportunities to us. Manhattan houses more than 300,000 businesses as of 2014, including local, national and multinational businesses. On average, these businesses make millions of dollars every year and can easily spend extravagantly on their graphic designing needs for the sake of promoting their brands.

In order to develop a good marketing strategy, it is crucial to analyze the market segmentation. A successful and efficient marketing strategy can only be developed after we completely know our potential customers. Our experts have identified the following type of target audience which can become our future consumers:

The detailed marketing segmentation of our target audience is as follows:

5.2.1 Corporate Sector:

The biggest consumer of our services will be the corporate sector located in the Downtown Manhattan and in various parts of the world. There are hundreds of local, national and multinational businesses and companies located within 15 km radius of our office including product manufacturers and distributors, real estate owners, developers, and contractors, research and development companies, banks and insurance companies, hotels, restaurants and food companies, IT and software development firms, branding and advertising agencies.

These companies and businesses require the services of graphic designers for fulfilling their visual communicative needs such as to create/update their brand logos and create/update the graphics on their websites or social media pages. These companies need graphic designers for developing an instant connection between their target audience and their products/services, and also for producing visual aids and informative images (e.g. menu for a restaurant, infographics) that help the customers in communication and various other purposes. Utilizing an appropriate graphic design can improve every aspect of a business and can positively impact clients, vendors, and employees.

Considering the need of graphic designing for these businesses and their annual average income, our experts have forecasted this target group to contribute the biggest portion of our revenue. Hence our marketing strategy will be specifically tailored to attract this customer group.

5.2.2 Institutions & Organizations:

Our second target group comprises of various institutions and organizations located in Manhattan including government and public-sector organizations, schools, colleges and universities, political parties, religious and sports organizations, and non-profit organizations. These organizations also need graphic design services for promoting their messages and other purposes.

5.2.3 Print & Digital Media:

Our third target group consists of print and digital media companies located in Manhattan. These companies include but are not limited to television studios, video production companies, publication companies (for graphics designing of newspapers, magazines, and books). This group, due to its specific nature, requires a lot of graphic designing work and will thus become the second biggest consumer of our services. The detailed market analysis of our potential customers is given in the following table:

5.3 Business Target

Our target is to balance the initial cost of startup within the first year of our launch and to become the best graphic designer of the New York City within next five years of our startup.

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5.4 Product Pricing

Product and service pricing is one of the most important factors in deciding the strategy for an event planning business. After considering the market demands, we have priced all our services in the similar ranges as of our competitors except for brand logos whose price have been set 20% less so as to encourage sales. The reason behind our pricing policy is to achieve the minimum attractive rate of return which would not be possible in case of offering our services at low prices. Various packages are priced according to the delivery time and number of revisions. For an express delivery of 24 hours, an additional 10% amount will be charged on all of our services.

After identifying the graphic designer demographics , market trends, market demand, and the potential customers of the startup, the next step is to define an effective strategy to target graphic design customers. A successful strategy can only be developed after setting specific marketing goals, defining milestones to achieve those goals, carrying out a competitive analysis to know what is missing in your current competitors, and finally develop the strategy for attracting your potential customers.

6.1 Marketing Goals

• Website Traffic & Conversions: Our goal would be to achieve a 20% increase in website traffic each month and to get at least an 80% conversion rate, i.e. to turn 80% of our website visitors into our customers.
• Engagement Rate & Social Media Following: Engagement rates indicate the frequency at which people interact with your posts. Our goal would be to increase engagement rates and our social media following so as to decrease the response time to customers.
• Brand Awareness & Recognition: A business’s reputation builds over time. Our goal will be to get featured in the local news or on a certain website by a popular blogger within first 3 months of our launch.
• Google Search Ranking: Google search rankings is one of the most important factors in deciding the success of a business, especially a startup that’s why we will play special emphasis on it. Our goal would be to rank on the first page of Google within 3 months of our launch.

6.2 Milestones

The important milestones to achieve our marketing as well as business goals are given in the following Gantt Chart.

6.3 Competitive Analysis

The graphic design business plans is undoubtedly one of the most competitive industries of the United States. With the increasing number of graphic design startups and freelancers, the competition is getting stiffer by the day. One has to be highly creative and come up with innovative designs and concepts so as to survive and grow in this industry. Our competitive advantage lies in the power and dedication of our team. We have a team of creative and highly proficient graphic designers, a team with excellent qualifications and experience various niche areas in the graphic design industry. Our second biggest competitive advantage will be the leadership of Gori since she is a world-renowned graphic designer and has worked with 14 out of top Fortune 100 companies.

6.4 Sales Strategy

After carrying out a detailed analysis, our experts came up with the following brilliant ideas to advertise and sell ourselves.

• We will advertise our business in relevant business magazines, newspapers, TV stations, and social media.
• We will introduce our company to corporate organizations and key stakeholders by sending introductory letters alongside our brochures.
• We will offer a 25% discount on our services for the first three months of our launch.
• We will offer a 40% discount on all of our services on Client’s referral.

6.5 Sales Forecast

Considering the quality of our services and our exceptional marketing strategy, our sales pattern is expected to increase with years. By analyzing our market segmentation strategy, our experts have forecasted the following sales on a yearly basis which are summarized in the column charts.

The detailed information about sales forecast, total unit sales, total sales is given in the following table:

6.5.1 Sales Monthly

6.5.2 Sales Yearly

With the advent of the internet, it has become very easy for a graphic design company to work for those clients who are located in any other part of the world. That’s why most of the graphic design companies located in the United States have their biggest clients in other countries of the world. This trend is somewhat unique to the graphic design industry and is probably one of the reasons for its rapid growth and expansion. Even any of you can start your own graphic design business either through a freelancing website or by creating your own website.

7.1 Website Marketing Strategy:

The international graphic design business is only possible through a well-developed website. A website is just like a digital platform where the clients and service providers can interact, make contracts and even send/receive payments. In addition to that, it is an established fact that a well-ranked website on Google directly or indirectly leads to increased sales. That’s why it is very important to develop an attractive website for a graphic designing business plans.

7.2 Website Development:

Gori has a team of website developers, led by Anna Rick, who would be responsible for developing and maintaining the official website of PixelCo. Anna would also ensure that our website remains on the first page of Google because you don’t exist if you are not ranked on the first page of Google. Since this task will be done by our team so no additional cost will be incurred in the startup.

Personnel plan

Personnel plan, like all other plans, is an important component of effective d esign business plans so it must be planned before you even think about how to market your graphic design business . Its importance is due to the fact that success of any business significantly depends upon its employees. It is never easy to estimate the number and type of staff needed for a company before it is even launched therefore it is advisable to seek the help of HR experts to get through this phase. Gori acquired the services of experts to help her develop the following personnel plan for her company.

8.1 Company Staff

Gori will act as the General Manager of the company and will initially hire following people before she moves to start a graphic design business :

• 1 Accountant to maintain financial and other records
• 4 Sales Executives responsible for marketing and discovering new ventures
• 10 Graphic Artists for designing logos, infographics, brochures, and other graphics
• 2 Cartoon and Animation Specialists for designing animation for various purposes
• 4 Website Developers led by Anna for graphical work pertaining to websites
• 4 Customer Representatives to interact with customers and record their orders
• 1 Front Desk Officer to act as a receptionist
• 1 Security Officer

We will ensure that only qualified, creative, hardworking, customer-centric are hired and they are always ready to work in order to help us build a prosperous business benefitting all stakeholders (owner, workforce as well as customers). To ensure the best quality service, all employees will be selected through vigorous testing and will be trained for a month before starting their jobs.

8.2 Average Salary of Employees

The following table shows the data about employees and their salaries for next three years. The salaries of the employees for the second and third year are estimated by our experts on the basis of our forecasted expansion. The salaries will show a deviation if the company expands more or less than the forecasted growth rate.

Financial Plan

After deciding the strategy and personnel plan of the company, the next step is to develop a detailed map about the financial projections covering all aspects of the company. Just like the planning of other aspects, you must prepare a financial plan before you start thinking about how to start graphic design business . The financial plan should craft a detailed map about the cost of startup, inventory, payroll, equipment, rent, utilities and how these costs will be covered by the earned profits. So, before starting a graphic design business , make sure to carry out a detailed profit and loss analysis. The company financial plan outlines the development of the company over the next three years and is specifically developed to achieve both the company’s short-term and long-term objectives.

9.1 Important Assumptions

The company’s financial projections are forecasted on the basis of following assumptions. These assumptions are quite conservative and are also expected to show deviation but to a limited level such that the company’s major financial strategy will not be affected.

9.2 Brake-even Analysis

The following graph shows the company’s Brake-even Analysis.

The following table shows the company’s Brake-even Analysis.

9.3 Projected Profit and Loss

The following charts show the company’s expected Profit and Loss situation on the monthly and yearly basis.

9.3.1 Profit Monthly

The following graph shows the monthly profit, as forecasted by the company’s financial experts.

9.3.2 Profit Yearly

The following graph shows the yearly profit, as forecasted by the company’s financial experts.

9.3.3 Gross Margin Monthly

The following graph shows the monthly gross margin, as forecasted by the company’s financial experts.

9.3.4 Gross Margin Yearly

The following graph shows the yearly gross margin, as forecasted by the company’s financial experts.

The following table shows detailed information about profit and loss, and total cost of sales.

9.4 Projected Cash Flow

The following column diagram shows the projected cash flow.

9.5 Projected Balance Sheet

The following table shows detailed data about pro forma cash flow, subtotal cash from operations, subtotal cash received, sub-total spent on operations, subtotal cash spent. The following projected balance sheet shows data about total current assets, total long-term assets, total assets, subtotal current liabilities, total liabilities, total capital, total liabilities and capital.

9.6 Business Ratios

The following table shows data about business ratios, ratio analysis, total assets, net worth.

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A Business Plan for Freelance Graphic Designers

There were so many times in my business that I just stopped in my tracks. I was working on something for so long, like a client project, that when I was done I almost didn’t know what was next. I was missing a small business plan that really worked for me.

The ironic thing about freezing up and not knowing what to do is that we most likely have a long list already made. And that list has all of the good intentions to grow your business. However, the priorities are a little blurred when there is so much busyness all around.

I love using project management software for my business (Asana and Notion). I always had a section on there to brainstorm ideas. But oftentimes they would just stay there and never go anywhere. And when I would finally get around to looking at it, I’d close the window!

In those times, I’m running around like a headless chicken trying to figure out my next step. I learned from school and also from a few resources about how to make a formal business plan. It was very daunting, structured, and a little hard to follow.

I think the reason for that is small business plans are different for solo entrepreneurs and designers. We constantly have to be moving and thinking on our feet. The best thing to do is to create a more flexible business plan that actually makes sense for a  graphic designer.

Regularly ask yourself what you want for your graphic design business

My assumption is that most of us are not asking ourselves questions often enough. We evolve as business owners and as people.  We go through phases of life or struggles, and suddenly those things that were once important aren’t anymore. And we may have redefined values.

Because we are always changing, it should be a regular practice to ask yourself what you want. First of all, do you like what you’re doing? Are you in the right headspace? Is it good for your mental health? Is it helping with creativity? Is it healthy for your relationships?

It’s crucial to audit your business in terms of your lifestyle. The goal of having a design business should be to enhance your life based on your definitions of that. Check on yourself every quarter and make sure everything is in alignment.

Add short and long-term goals to the small business plan

I know some people like to ask you what your 5 and 10-year goals are. It really depends on how you like to imagine these things. For me, I have a vision of what I’d like my future self to be, but it’s really hard to see that far out.

If you’re able to do so, envisioning your life that far ahead is a great skill, and you can write all of that down. But if you can’t, don’t fret. Because sometimes the short-term goals are just as good and helpful for your business.

Annual business plan

Start with an annual plan and then work backward.  I tend to be on the more conservative and practical side and often don’t practice dreaming big. But don’t be like me!

You should absolutely be stretching your goals to something you can’t even imagine right now.  list out these items and you can add or remove them to your liking:

• Annual income
• Number of clients
• Type of clients
• Average price of services
• Types/streams of income
• Number of hours worked (broken up by week)
• Relationships

I kept it pretty broad because I want you to interpret this in a way that makes sense for you. Write down what excites you and figure out how you can make your design business support these things. Besides being a long-term plan, this is really a mindset exercise to get you to start thinking of your business working for you.

Your mission and vision

I love creating an annual plan first because it can manifest what I want in life. I can see from here what my true priorities are, and it is easier to figure out my vision.  You’ve written out what’s most important to you and your ambition to accomplish it.

You know what kind of service is you want to offer and who you want to help. That right there is your mission.

Put it at the top of your business plan so you can be reminded of it. It will help you not stray too far if you’re feeling that shiny object syndrome.

Weekly + monthly plan

You can now break up your annual plan to come up with your weekly and monthly plans. What do you need to do in order to reach your goals this month? How can you divide that by the weeks?

Create an Asana board (or any other project management tool. Google Sheets or Airtable work really well too), and break up your workweek.

Categorize and prioritize your small business plan by timeline

It’s time to categorize these into more digestible tasks. If you want two large clients a month, you have to figure out who these clients could potentially be and where you can find them.

So maybe in this case your ideal clients are on Instagram. Now you have to come up with an Instagram strategy where you put out content that attracts them.  You can also message certain businesses and connect with them.

Next, add time for social media marketing and content creation in a way that helps you do it every week.

Keep your design business plan flexible

Even though you have everything written down, it doesn’t have to be rigid. Always remind yourself of your vision, and for this year that should pretty much stay the same. Your approaches to your clients and marketing will be the flexible part.

There are so many new things coming out that will help you during this time whether those are resources, software, or other tools.  On the other hand, platforms are constantly changing which may make things more difficult. Adapting to the changes is what will keep your business strong as long as you keep your overall messaging consistent.

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How to Start Your Own Graphic Design Business: Step-by-Step

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This article was contributed by Shawn from FeedFond.

Are you a burgeoning graphic designer eager to get your graphic design business off the ground? Follow our step-by-step guide and you’ll be up and running in no time!

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Step 1: Consider your Level of Motivation

Motivation and commitment are very important when it comes to creating your own successful business. So ask yourself: are you motivated enough? Are you fully committed?

If the answer is yes, you’ve already got one of the hardest parts done and dusted. Many people struggle with making their business a success because they lack the commitment and do not put all of their energy and determination behind it.

But if you’re thinking of starting your own graphic design business simply because you’ve landed some new clients lately, think again.

That should not be the only reason to devote your time and money towards a startup business. Because starting up a business is hard . You will struggle. And without proper motivation you may be tempted to throw in the towel when the going gets tough.

There will be times when things will be difficult. Clients will move to your competitors. There may be times when you struggle to find work. You won’t be making big bucks straight away.

But it will be your motivation and urge to succeed that will keep you going. And if you’re not motivated enough, it won’t take you more than a few months for doubts to creep in.

However, if you’re highly self-motivated, this is all you need to move forward. If you have a passion for graphic design, this will take you a long way with your business.

Start Your Own Graphic Design Business Book

In this brilliant book , industry experts and successful graphic designers share what they’ve learned and give you the motivation and priceless tips and tricks to help you reach success.

• Used Book in Good Condition
• Media, The Staff of Entrepreneur (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 138 Pages - 05/01/2008 (Publication Date) - Entrepreneur Press (Publisher)

Step 2: Understand your Skills

Graphic design is a very broad industry. There are lots of avenues to explore. So if you want to start your own graphic design business, you need to understand your own skill level.

You’ll also need to figure out exactly what your prospective clients expect from a graphic designer. There’s a chance you’re not yet aware of all of the services that are in demand.

According to some of the leading graphic design companies, clients usually have the following requirements:

• Brand strategy
• Logo designing
• Web designing
• Social media designing
• Brochure designing
• Infographics
• Poster designing

According to a recent study , the current market for graphic design is worth $15 billion in the United States alone. Logo designing and branding takes up about $3 billion of that market on its own.

So besides your passion, you also need to consider the current market size and trends. Assess your skills and determine how you can enhance your profitability by utilizing and expanding on those skills .

How to Teach Yourself Graphic Design

Becoming a graphic designer  does not have to be done at school. In fact, if you follow the below steps, you will be well on your way to becoming a professional graphic designer.

• Understand the core principles of graphic design (see courses below)
• Ground yourself with the history of graphic design (this book is essential)
• Familiarize yourself with the graphic design process & solving problems creatively
• Consider advanced study & development (either online or at school)
• Learn from professional graphic designers
• Develop your proficiency, intuition, and flow (your process)
• Put together a portfolio and blog
• Participate in professional graphic design communities
• Diversify your skillset (enroll in more courses)
• Find work as a freelance graphic designer

Free Graphic Design Software Trials + Adobe Creative Cloud Discount

Adobe provides industry-standard graphic design software . 

Adobe offers a subscription service called ‘Creative Cloud’ which gives you access to several powerful design applications including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and more.

If you’re just getting started, you should know that Adobe offers free trials as well as some generous student discounts .

• Download a free Photoshop trial for PC, Mac, or iPad now
• Download a free trial of Illustrator for PC, Mac or iPad now

Step 3: Develop your Skills in Different Areas  

Are you an expert at logo and web design but have very little idea about infographics? Well in that case you need to consider spending some time studying the market.

These days, the demand for infographics is increasing dramatically . Graphic design companies are getting many more orders for infographics than they ever did before.

So you need to expand your horizon by enhancing your skills for these different services.

The aim of the game is to become a “one stop solution” for all the things your clients might ask for, but also have a specialization in a certain area, such as branding.

Step 4: Develop your Mission and Vision

By now you know what type of service you’re going to offer your clients. You have a good understanding of the graphic design industry.

But you cannot start just anywhere. Graphic design is a highly competitive industry. You’ll first need to work on your company mission , long term goals and your vision.

Once you’ve determined your primary mission, it’ll be much easier for you to develop your business strategy.

Start thinking about what would you like to achieve and how are you going to make it happen. Are you hoping to secure at least 10 clients within the first two quarters? Then you’ll need to assess how many people you need to reach out to.

Your marketing strategy is going to be dictated by your objectives. You’ll need to develop not only Plan A, but Plan B, C, and even D in case your first attempt doesn’t yield the expected results.

Having short and long-term goals is vital to assess your progress. You should check your progress regularly and measure how far you are from where you want to be.

Step 5: Identify Potential Clients

Determining your target market is one of the most important steps in starting your graphic design business. There are hundreds of different categories or segments you’ll need to consider.

Are you planning to offer your service to large and medium corporate companies or small local businesses?

Or will your clientele be young women who are trying to establish their business in fashion design?

Determine your target market first. Then determine whether your current skills are going to be enough to meet their needs.

Now you can develop your marketing plan and business model that will suit your target market best. With some useful tips provided by top virtual event success metrics and KPIs you can communicate your thoughts to secure more potential clients.

Step 6: Run a Competitive Analysis

One thing is for sure, when you start your own graphic design business, it’s not going to be a walk in the park. Graphic design is a cut-throat industry with plenty of healthy competition.

So, before you start your own graphic design company, you should study the market carefully. Take a look at how other companies in the industry are running their business.

Pay close attention to what makes the most successful firms stand out from the rest. This will help you to understand what you’re going to be up against.

There are two benefits of studying your competition. One, so you can figure out how you can offer better services than your competitors. And two, so you can learn from their mistakes and success stories.

There is nothing wrong with adopting good practices that are successful for others in the industry. However, in order to ensure your sustainability, you should be innovative and think outside the box.

Take a look at what others are doing and try to offer something unique. This way, you’ll be one step ahead of the competition.

Step 7: Work on Pricing

As you’re well on your way to starting your very own graphic design company, make sure to do some industry analysis to find out what the going rate is.

Gather detailed information about how different services are being priced by other companies in the industry. Then, adopt the best pricing structure for your services. You might need to come in slightly lower at first in order to build up your clientele and get your name out there.

As a startup, you’ll need a solid plan to attract clients. Try and offer them the best deal but make sure that you don’t go in too cheap. You have to prove to your clients that you’re giving them the best deal and something that will add value.

Always remember, many clients will be willing to pay top dollar for a premium service. So divide your service quality into categories and provide clients with what they’re willing to pay for.

Step 8: Keep an Eye on the Legal Aspects

While you’re starting your graphic design venture, make sure that you have a talk with a lawyer. Learn about all the legal requirements associated with setting up a startup business such as business registration, insurance, and so forth. For instance, if we consider forming an LLC, then how much does an LLC cost in your state? What are the state regulations to be followed for an LLC?

Talk about licensing, legal policies in your line of business as well as tax requirements. There will be copyright and trademark issues as well that you will need to discuss with your lawyer.

Depending on the size of your business, you should work on your privacy and refund policies, how to handle disputes, and other legal issues. Your lawyer will be able to give you a clear understanding of all the legal factors involved.

Step 9: Look Out for the Right Professionals to Expand your Business

If you want to grow your business, you won’t be able to do everything all by yourself. At some point, you’ll need a helping hand.

Instead of dealing with two or three clients at a time, you may be handling 5 or even 10 clients at a time so keep an open mind about hiring some experts.

You’ll need to form your own team of experts to provide the best service to your target market. If you’re expanding your level of service, you’ll also need more manpower.

For example, you might be doing great with logo and web design but you’ve discovered there is a huge market for animations.

Besides expanding your own skills in that avenue, consider hiring someone who has the expert skill to work on projects that involve animation.

You may have to invest to nurture your team but in the long run, this will add to your net profit. So have a clear understanding of the experts you’ll need to expand your business.

Step 10: Get a Proper Workspace

The type of workspace you have for your business depends on your finances and client base. Lots of successful graphic designers started in the owner’s own home.

You can follow that path if you’re not willing to spend too much for an office space at first. However, make sure that your workstation is ideal for doing all of the projects required.

You should be safe from all interruptions and distraction. Then as your business grows, you may want to consider moving to a larger office space to accommodate your employees.

Having the right workspace is vital to ensure professionalism and to enhance productivity. Having a great space will also make a good impression on your clients.

Step 11: Get the Right Gear

You’ll need a high configuration computer system, professional apps, and top-of-the-range software to offer the best service to your clients.

While some of the basic graphic design software is free of charge, most of the professional applications will have a one-off price or subscription cost.

Based on the type of services you’re going to offer, do some detailed research on the tools you’ll need to do the job .

Invest generously to develop your system so that you can offer a professional service to your clients. We can assure you that this will secure a good return on your investment in the long run.

Step 12: Have an Official Website

One of the most important steps in starting your own graphic design company is launching an official website.

This will serve two purposes for your business. First of all, it’ll be your point of contact so that your clients can find you online. Your clients will get in touch with you via your website to enquire about quotes and to place their orders.

And secondly, your website will be an online portfolio of all of the work you have done to date. Use this platform to showcase your best works and most important clients as this will build trust and your reputation in the industry.

This will allow your potential customers to have a clear understanding of your skills. So take some time to develop a well-designed website for your business.

Hire a reputed SEO company to promote your website online. Make sure that when people are looking out for a professional graphic designer on Google, your website appears among the top 10 search results.

Step 13: Design your Marketing Plan

Marketing is the heart of any business. No matter how good you are at what you do, your skills will useless if you’re unable to reach the people who can make use of those skills.

So make sure that you have a solid marketing plan and execute it carefully. You can go for both traditional and non-conventional marketing techniques here.

You can invest in billboards and brochures to get your name out there. Social media marketing should also be utilized to grow awareness amongst your target market.

Your marketing plan will depend on the type of customers you’re willing to serve.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you identify potential clients for your design business.

This depends on what you believe is your target audience. After you determine whether your target audience are large and medium corporate companies or small local businesses and assess your skill set, you may develop a marketing plan and model to cater to their specific requirements.

What is the best way for graphic designers to price their services?

For a new design agency, you may price your services on your portfolio and previous clients. However, if you have nothing to go on, doing market research can go a long way. If you’re working with experienced designers and are in the brand identity field, this logo design cost article should give you an idea.

What are some skills that graphic designers should develop if they’re looking to start their own business?

When starting a new business, brand strategy, logo designing, web designing, social media branding, animation, typography, along with brochure, infographic and poster design are some skills that are worthwhile to develop.

What are some legal aspects to keep in mind when starting your own design business?

When creating your start up business, registration and insurance are some important things to keep in mind. Copyrighting, trademarking, licensing, legal policies and tax requirements are necessary to keep in order.

What are some vital tools and equipment that designers should consider when starting their own business?

For designers, some important tools to keep in mind are a powerful laptop, a high resolution monitor, a reliable hard drive, a graphics tablet and color swatches for practicality. You should check out our graphic designer tools article for more information.

Where is a good place to start when starting a graphic design business?

In 2022, a desk, table and laptop set-up is the best place to start your business. If you’d like to work with a large group of people, coworking spaces are popular and affordable for new businesses just getting started.

• How to present logo design ideas to clients
• Logo design cost
• Logo design tips for small businesses
• 101+ best logo design resources for 2022

How to Start Your Own Graphic Design Business in 2022

Always remember, planning and execution is the key to success for any business venture. At the same time, you’ll need to put 100% commitment into your work.

Having a clear understanding of the market and potential competitors is vital to succeed in the industry. You’ll also need to focus on specific target markets.

Have a strong online presence and promote your official website through digital marketing. Be willing to hire experts to expand your business.

Be confident, consistent, and patient throughout the endeavor. With time, you’ll gradually see your business start to grow and make an impact in the industry.

At the end of the day it is your mindset and perspective that will make all the difference. Stay positive throughout your journey and you will surely see success knocking your door.

About Jacob Cass

Jacob Cass is a brand designer & strategist, educator , podcaster , business coach and the founder of JUST Creative, an award-winning branding & design consultancy that doubles as an industry-leading blog. Get in touch .

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How to Start a Graphic Design Business

Starting a graphic design business can be very profitable. With proper planning, execution and hard work, you can enjoy great success. Below you will learn the keys to launching a successful graphic design business.

Importantly, a critical step in starting a graphic design business is to complete your business plan. To help you out, you should download Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template here .

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here

14 Steps To Start a Graphic Design Business :

• Choose the Name for Your Graphic Design Business
• Develop Your Graphic Design Business Plan
• Choose the Legal Structure for Your Graphic Design Business
• Secure Startup Funding for Your Graphic Design Business (If Needed)
• Secure a Location for Your Business
• Register Your Graphic Design Business with the IRS
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get a Business Credit Card
• Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
• Get Business Insurance for Your Graphic Design Business
• Buy or Lease the Right Graphic Design Business Equipment
• Develop Your Graphic Design Business Marketing Materials
• Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Graphic Design Business
• Open for Business

1. Choose the Name for Your Graphic Design Business

The first step to starting a graphic design business is to choose your business’ name.  

This is a very important choice since your company name is your brand and will last for the lifetime of your business. Ideally you choose a name that is meaningful and memorable. Here are some tips for choosing a name for your own graphic design business:

• Make sure the name is available . Check your desired name against trademark databases and your state’s list of registered business names to see if it’s available. Also check to see if a suitable domain name is available.
• Keep it simple . The best names are usually ones that are easy to remember, pronounce and spell.
• Think about marketing . Come up with a name that reflects the desired brand and/or focus of your graphic design business.

2. Develop Your Graphic Design Business Plan

One of the most important steps in starting a graphic design business is to develop your graphic design business plan . The process of creating your plan ensures that you fully understand your market and your business strategy. The plan also provides you with a roadmap to follow and if needed, to present to funding sources to raise capital for your business.

Your business plan should include the following sections:

• Executive Summary – this section should summarize your entire business plan so readers can quickly understand the key details of your own business.
• Company Overview – this section tells the reader about the history of your graphic design business and what type of graphic design business you operate. For example, are you a freelance graphic designer, in-house designer, or a graphic design studio?
• Industry Analysis – here you will document key information about the graphic design industry. Conduct market research and document how big the industry is and what trends are affecting it.
• Customer Analysis – in this section, you will document who your ideal or target customers are and their demographics. For example, how old are they? Where do they live? What do they find important when purchasing services like the ones you will offer?
• Competitive Analysis – here you will document the key direct and indirect competitors you will face and how you will build competitive advantage.
• Marketing Plan – your marketing plan should address the 4Ps: Product, Price, Promotions and Place.
• Product : Determine and document what products/services you will offer 
• Prices : Document the prices of your products/services
• Place : Where will your business be located and how will that location help you increase sales?
• Promotions : What promotional methods will you use to attract customers to your graphic design business? For example, you might decide to use pay-per-click advertising, public relations, search engine optimization and/or social media marketing.
• Operations Plan – here you will determine the key processes you will need to run your day-to-day operations. You will also determine your staffing needs. Finally, in this section of your plan, you will create a projected growth timeline showing the milestones you hope to achieve in the coming years.
• Management Team – this section details the background of your company’s management team.
• Financial Plan – finally, the financial plan answers questions including the following:
• What startup costs will you incur?
• How will your graphic design business make money?
• What are your projected sales and expenses for the next five years?
• Do you need to raise funding to launch your business?

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

3. choose the legal structure for your graphic design business.

Next you need to choose a legal structure for your graphic design business and register it and your business name with the Secretary of State in each state where you operate your business.

Below are the five most common legal structures:

1) Sole proprietorship

A sole proprietorship is a business entity in which the business owner and the business are the same legal person. The owner of a sole proprietorship is responsible for all debts and obligations of the business. There are no formalities required to establish a sole proprietorship, and it is easy to set up and operate. The main advantage of a sole proprietorship is that it is simple and inexpensive to establish. The main disadvantage is that the owner is liable for all debts and obligations of the business.

2) Partnerships

A partnership is a legal structure that is popular among small business owners. It is an agreement between two or more people who want to start a graphic design business together. The partners share in the profits and losses of the business. 

The advantages of a partnership are that it is easy to set up, and the partners share in the profits and losses of the business. The disadvantages of a partnership are that the partners are jointly liable for the debts of the business, and disagreements between partners can be difficult to resolve.

3) Limited Liability Company (LLC)

A limited liability company, or LLC, is a type of business entity that provides limited liability to its owners. This means that the owners of an LLC are not personally responsible for the debts and liabilities of the business. The advantages of an LLC for a graphic design business include flexibility in management, pass-through taxation (avoids double taxation as explained below), and limited personal liability. The disadvantages of an LLC include lack of availability in some states and self-employment taxes.

4) C Corporation

A C Corporation is a business entity that is separate from its owners. It has its own tax ID and can have shareholders. The main advantage of a C Corporation for a graphic design business is that it offers limited liability to its owners. This means that the owners are not personally responsible for the debts and liabilities of the business. The disadvantage is that C Corporations are subject to double taxation. This means that the corporation pays taxes on its profits, and the shareholders also pay taxes on their dividends.

5) S Corporation

An S Corporation is a type of corporation that provides its owners with limited liability protection and allows them to pass their business income through to their personal income tax returns, thus avoiding double taxation. There are several limitations on S Corporations including the number of shareholders they can have among others.

Once you register your own business, your state will send you your official “Articles of Incorporation.” You will need this among other documentation when establishing your banking account (see below). We recommend that you consult an attorney in determining which legal structure is best suited for your company.

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4. Secure Startup Funding for Your Graphic Design Business (If Needed)

In developing your graphic design business plan , you might have determined that you need to raise funding to launch your business. 

If so, the main sources of funding for a graphic design business to consider are personal savings, family and friends, credit card financing, bank loans, crowdfunding and angel investors. Angel investors are individuals who provide capital to early-stage businesses. Angel investors typically will invest in a graphic design business that they believe has high potential for growth.

5. Secure a Location for Your Business

The first thing to consider when looking for a location for your graphic design business is your target market. You’ll want to find a location that is accessible and convenient for your customers. Additionally, you should consider the cost of rent and other business expenses when choosing a location. It’s important to secure a site that is affordable. 

6. Register Your Graphic Design Business with the IRS

Next, you need to register your business with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) which will result in the IRS issuing you an Employer Identification Number (EIN).

Most banks will require you to have an EIN in order to open up an account. In addition, in order to hire employees, you will need an EIN since that is how the IRS tracks your payroll tax payments.

Note that if you are a sole proprietor without employees, you generally do not need to get an EIN. Rather, you would use your social security number (instead of your EIN) as your taxpayer identification number.

7. Open a Business Bank Account

It is important to establish a bank account in your graphic design business’ name. This process is fairly simple and involves the following steps:

• Identify and contact the bank you want to use
• Gather and present the required documents (generally include your company’s Articles of Incorporation, driver’s license or passport, and proof of address)
• Complete the bank’s application form and provide all relevant information
• Meet with a banker to discuss your business needs and establish a relationship with them

8. Get a Business Credit Card

You should get a business credit card for your graphic design business to help you separate personal and business expenses.

You can either apply for a business credit card through your bank or apply for one through a credit card company.

When you’re applying for a business credit card, you’ll need to provide some information about your business. This includes the name of your business, the address of your business, and the type of business you’re running. You’ll also need to provide some information about yourself, including your name, Social Security number, and date of birth.

Once you’ve been approved for a business credit card, you’ll be able to use it to make purchases for your business. You can also use it to build your credit history which could be very important in securing loans and getting credit lines for your business in the future.

9. Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits

The licenses and permits you need to start a graphic design business will vary depending on your location. However, some of the most common licenses and permits you may need include a business license, a trade name registration, and a zoning permit.

10. Get Business Insurance for Your Graphic Design Business

There are a few different types of insurance you will need to operate a graphic design business.

Some business insurance policies you should consider for your graphic design business include:

• General liability insurance : This covers accidents and injuries that occur on your property. It also covers damages caused by your employees or products.
• Workers’ compensation insurance : If you have employees, this type of policy works with your general liability policy to protect against workplace injuries and accidents. It also covers medical expenses and lost wages.
• Commercial property insurance : This covers damage to your property caused by fire, theft, or vandalism.
• Business interruption insurance : This covers lost income and expenses if your business is forced to close due to a covered event.
• Professional liability insurance : This protects your business against claims of professional negligence.

Find an insurance agent, tell them about your business and its needs, and they will recommend policies that fit those needs. 

11. Buy or Lease the Right Graphic Design Business Equipment

To start a graphic design business, you will need some basic equipment. This includes a computer, software, printer, and scanner. You may also want to invest in a graphics tablet to help with your design work.

12. Develop Your Graphic Design Business Marketing Materials

Marketing materials will be required to attract and retain customers to your graphic design business.

The key marketing materials you will need are as follows:

• Logo : Spend some time developing a good logo for your graphic design business. Your logo will be printed on company stationery, business cards, marketing materials and so forth. The right logo can increase customer trust and awareness of your brand.
• Website : Likewise, a professional graphic design business website provides prospective clients with information about the services you offer, your company’s history, and contact information. Importantly, remember that the look and feel of your website will affect how customers perceive you.
• Social Media Accounts : establish social media accounts in your company’s name. Accounts on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and/or other social media platforms will help customers and others find and interact with your graphic design business.

13. Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Graphic Design Business

To start a graphic design business, you will need design software. You may also need software for designing websites, creating logos and illustrations, and editing videos. 

14. Open for Business

You are now ready to open your graphic design business. If you followed the steps above, you should be in a great position to build a successful business. Below are answers to frequently asked questions that might further help you.

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How to Start a Graphic Design Business FAQs

Where can i download a graphic design business plan pdf.

You can download our graphic design business plan PDF  here. This is a business plan template you can use in PDF format.

How much does it cost to start a graphic design business?

To start a graphic design business, it will cost approximately $5,000. This includes setting up a basic website and purchasing necessary software. You will also need to factor in the cost of marketing and advertising your new business.

Is it hard to start a graphic design business?

No, it is not hard to start a graphic design business if you have the skills and motivation to get started. There are online resources and tools that can help you learn how to start and grow your business. Additionally, there are a number of online marketplaces where you can sell your designs.

How can I start a graphic design business with no experience?

There are a few ways to start a graphic design business with no experience. One way is to find a mentor to guide you through the process. Another way is to take some online courses or read some books about graphic design. You could also try volunteering for a graphic design company to get some experience.

What type of graphic design business is most profitable?

The type of graphic design business that is most profitable specializes in creating logos and brand identities. This is because there is a high demand for logo and brand design services, and businesses are willing to pay a premium for high-quality work.

What are the ongoing expenses for a graphic design business?

The ongoing expenses for a graphic design business can vary depending on the size of the business and the services offered. Some common expenses include marketing and advertising, website maintenance, software and hardware upgrades, and employee salaries.

How does a graphic design business make money?

A graphic design business usually makes money by charging a fee for services. A freelance graphic design business may also make money by selling products such as fonts, templates, or other design-related items. A graphic design business may also earn revenue through advertising or affiliate marketing.

Is owning a graphic design business profitable?

Yes, owning a graphic design business can be profitable. Graphic designers are in high demand, as businesses increasingly rely on visuals to communicate their messages. In addition, freelance graphic designers often have the flexibility to work from home, which can save on overhead costs. Furthermore, there is a growing trend of businesses outsourcing their graphic design needs, which can provide a steady stream of work for a graphic design business.

Why do graphic design businesses fail?

One of the main reasons graphic design companies fail is because they do not have a clear business plan or strategy. To be successful, you need to have a plan for how you will market your business, find graphic design clients, and keep your existing clients happy. You also need to be realistic about how much revenue you can generate and how much you can afford to spend on marketing and overhead.

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How to Start a Graphic Design Business

Sally Lauckner is an editor on NerdWallet's small-business team. She has over 15 years of experience in print and online journalism. Before joining NerdWallet in 2020, Sally was the editorial director at Fundera, where she built and led a team focused on small-business content and specializing in business financing. Her prior experience includes two years as a senior editor at SmartAsset, where she edited a wide range of personal finance content, and five years at the AOL Huffington Post Media Group, where she held a variety of editorial roles. She is based in New York City.

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Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Deciding to start a business is a big step for any entrepreneur. However, what follows are many more steps to successfully launch and grow your business.

For those with an eye for design and the technical skills, you may be wondering how to start a graphic design business. In this guide, we’ll break down all of the steps you need to know to take your graphic design business from idea to reality. Let’s get started.

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Step 1: Choose a name and business entity

The first step in starting a graphic design business is to choose a name and business entity.

When choosing a business name , you want to make sure you pick something that represents your personality while also making it clear to potential customers what type of business you operate. Once you have some ideas in mind, you’ll need to make sure they’re available for use. Searching your secretary of state’s business portal, Google, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office are all good places to start. You’ll also want to make sure any domains or social media handles are available for your business name, as well.

Once you’ve chosen your business name, it’s time to choose the business entity you’d like for your business. This is a crucial step, as the business entity you choose will dictate how you pay taxes, your degree of personal liability, and how to structure your business. We recommend consulting with a business attorney at this stage if you’re unsure how to choose. Some common options are:

Sole proprietorship: A sole proprietorship is the simplest business structure you can have. While they’re easy to set up, though, you will not have any personal protections in the event that your business runs into legal or financial troubles—you and your business are seen as the same entity. You will also file business taxes on your personal return.

LLC : An LLC is a popular option because they’re fairly simple to set up and they provide the business owners with a degree of personal protection. You can choose to be taxed either as a corporation or pass-through entity.

Corporation : You may also choose to structure your business as a corporation. The most common types are S-corps and C-corps, and how you’re taxed and the structure of your business will depend on which type you choose.

Once you have decided on your name and business entity, you can register your business with your state. This will likely be done with your secretary of state’s office. Keep in mind, you typically don’t have to register a sole proprietorship; however, if you want to operate under a business name different from your own, legal name, you will have to file a DBA, or “doing business as.”

Step 2: Choose your niche

As a graphic designer, there are a number of specialties you can have. While it may be tempting to do it all—and you may need to be open to accepting a variety of projects as you grow your customer base—placing yourself in a niche market can be a smart decision.

Some niche graphic design ideas include:

Logo design

Brochure design

Poster design

Brand strategy

Infographics

You likely already have specific expertise in a certain area, or you may just enjoy one facet of graphic design the most. Either way, once you’ve established that there is demand for this type of work, keep this niche in mind while making your other business decisions.

Step 3: Write a business plan

No matter what kind of business you’re starting, you should always write a business plan . Even if no one else ever sees it, your business plan will provide a roadmap to help keep you on track through the launch and all-important early years of your business. However, should you seek outside funding or an investor down the road, you will also need to provide your business plan to prove that your business is worth investing in.

Your business plan will cover a lot of information—from a market analysis and competitor research to an overview of what services you’ll provide, financial projections, and more. You should outline how much startup money you’ll need to launch your business, and where this will come from (i.e. your own savings, friends and family, or business loans).

This is also a good time to set your prices and make sure they’re in line with what similar graphic designers charge. You’ll also want to decide if you want to charge an hourly or per-project rate. Researching your market will help you settle on an appropriate rate, but this Bonsai rate explorer can also help.

Step 4: Organize your marketing materials

In order to grow your business and find more clients, you’ll want to start formalizing your business through marketing materials. Marketing materials can help spread the word about your business, showcase your portfolio, and give prospective clients a way to contact you and learn more about your experience. Here are some marketing materials to consider.

One of the most important marketing materials you can have as a small business owner is a website.

As a graphic designer, your website is a great way to show what you’re capable of producing for your clients. Include a portfolio of your past work, whether for clients, an agency, or your own passion projects, as well as the types of projects you’re willing to work on, contact information, positive customer testimonials, and more.

Your graphic design background will make designing a website simple, but don’t get too hung up on the details. Creating a simple website that clearly shows off your work should be plenty to start attracting clients.

Social media

Beyond a business website, you’ll also want to set up social media profiles for your business. Because graphic design is so visual, you’ll want to choose the platforms that lend themselves to images over text, such as Instagram.

Additionally, you should consider creating a LinkedIn profile as well to connect with your network, showcase your work, and find prospective clients.

Step 5: Build your client base

With your business officially registered, your niche defined, and your business website created, you’re ready to start finding work.

Some ideas to help you find your first clients include:

Sign up for job boards

Join freelance graphic design groups on Facebook

Register for a freelancing site such as Upwork or Fiverr

Start networking with other creatives in your city

Attend industry events

All of these options can help you find your first few clients, and from there your business will likely grow organically. By delivering your projects on time and to your clients’ specifications, you’ll slowly but surely build a reputation that will speak for itself. And never underestimate the power of word-of-mouth marketing. Make sure anyone in your network—even people who aren’t in your industry—know that you’ve gone into business for yourself, so they can recommend you to their networks and further expand your reach.

Step 6: Separate your business and personal finances

As you start taking on clients, you’ll need somewhere to put your business income. While you may be tempted to use your personal bank account, this would be a mistake. Keeping your business and personal finances separate serves some very important purposes. First of all, it will make filing your taxes much easier if you don’t have to sort through every credit card charge or bank transaction to figure out which were for your business. Second, keeping this separation will help protect your personal assets in the event that your business gets into trouble.

Explore your business checking account options to find the right one for you, paying close attention to maintenance fees, transaction allowances, account minimums, and more. Next, find a business credit card that will reward you for spending (whether that’s in miles, cash back, or another rewards structure).

It’s also worth looking into accounting software to help manage your finances and invoice clients. These self-employed accounting software options are a good place to start.

Step 7: Consider your financing options

As you take on more clients and your business grows, you may need to expand in a meaningful way to keep up with demand. Maybe you need to hire some employees so you can take on more jobs or you need to invest in some pricey equipment to keep up with the latest technology, for example.

If this expansion costs more than you can manage on your own but would make a big difference in your bottom line, you may look into a business loan or other financing option.

When you’re just starting out, it will be difficult to qualify for traditional business loans; however, once you’ve been in business for a year or more and have positive financials to show for it, you’ll have more favorable options.

Here are some options you may want to explore:

Business line of credit: A business line of credit is a useful financing tool for any business owner. In fact, even if you don’t have financing needs right away, it’s good to have in your back pocket for any emergency cash flow issues or time-sensitive opportunities. A line of credit will provide you with a set amount of funds that you can draw against for any business-related purpose. You’ll only pay interest on the amount you use, and once you repay it, your balance will typically reset to its original value and you can continue to dip into it as needed.

Equipment financing: If your graphic design business needs new computers or other equipment to help you complete your work, equipment financing may be an ideal solution. You’ll take a quote for the equipment you want to buy to a lender, and if approved, you will receive the funds to make the purchase. The equipment will also serve as collateral, so if you fail to repay the loan, the lender can seize the equipment and liquidate it to recoup their losses.

Invoice financing: As a graphic designer, you may work on an invoice basis, where you send an invoice to your client once you’ve completed the work they requested. If this is the case, waiting for those invoices to be paid can put a strain on your cash flow. With invoice financing, a lender will front you a percentage (typically up to 85%) of your unpaid invoices so you get cash when you need it. Then once your customer pays, you repay the loan plus the lender fees.

LLC Formation

The bottom line

When you’re learning how to start a graphic design business, all the steps that you need to take to get started can seem overwhelming. However, taking the time to complete each step will help ensure you’re truly prepared—financially and otherwise—to start a business in the first place. By taking your time and doing your due diligence, you’re sure to start a graphic design business that can grow into a successful enterprise.

This article originally appeared on JustBusiness, a subsidiary of NerdWallet.

Graphic Design Business Plan Template [Updated 2024]

Graphic Design Business Plan Template

If you want to start a successful graphic design business or expand your current graphic design business, you need a business plan.

Fortunately, you’re in the right place. Our team has helped develop over 100,000 business plans over the past 20 years, including thousands of graphic design business plans.

The following graphic design business plan template and example gives you the key elements you must include in your plan. In our experience speaking with lenders and investors, the template is organized in the precise format they want.

You can download our business plan template (including a full, customizable financial model) to your computer here.  

Graphic Design Business Plan Example

I. executive summary, business overview.

Located in [Location], [Company Name] is a full-service graphic design agency that assists businesses with website, logo, and printed product design. Our services result in a visually appealing website and marketing materials that enhance branding, lead generation, customer acquisition, and customer retention. We provide a free estimate during our complimentary meeting to learn about our clients’ needs and objectives. From printed flyers to website design and functionality, [Company Name] creates customized graphic design solutions and strategies that perfectly match each client’s business and industry. [Company Name]’s goal is to become a top graphic design agency brand and compete with the industry leaders.

Products Served

[Company Name] will provide a variety of graphic design services to its clients. Our services include:

• Website design and development
• Logo design
• Print design
• Social media graphics
• Brand identity development
• Content creation
• Copywriting

Customer Focus

[Company Name] will primarily serve entrepreneurs, start-ups, and corporate organizations that are located within 50 miles of [Location]. The demographics of these customers are as follows:

• 20,000 corporations and small businesses
• 15,000 entrepreneurs

Management Team

[Company Name] is led by [Founder’s Name], who has been in the graphic design industry for [X] years. He has worked as a graphic designer for several corporations and has a consistent track record of improving branding and customer retention through his work. He has recently begun working as a freelance graphic designer but has now decided to turn his freelance business into an agency. He will hire several other graphic designers to help him manage his clients and workload.

Success Factors

[Company Name] is qualified to succeed due to the following reasons:

• There is currently a high demand for graphic design services in the community. In addition, the company surveyed the local population and received highly positive feedback pointing towards an explicit demand for the services, supporting the business after launch.
• There has been significant growth in graphic design over the past few years. Those who cater to this market have been thriving.
• The management team has a track record of success in the graphic design business.
• The graphic design business is a proven, successful business in the United States.

Financial Highlights

[Company Name] is currently seeking $200,000 to launch the graphic design agency. Specifically, these funds will be used as follows:

• Office build-out: $50,000
• Equipment and supplies: $50,000
• Working capital: $100,000 to pay for marketing, equipment, and salaries.

Top line projections over the next five years are as follows:

II. Company Overview

You can download our Business Plan Template (including a full, customizable financial model) to your computer here.

Who is [Company Name]?

[Company Name] is a full-service graphic design agency located in [Location]. We specialize in helping businesses create visually appealing websites, logos, and printed products that enhance branding, lead generation, customer acquisition, and customer retention. Our services include website design and development, logo design, print design, brand identity development, and SEO.

We work with businesses of all sizes, from startups to established corporations. We understand that each business has unique needs, and we tailor our services to meet those needs.

We offer a free consultation to learn more about our clients’ business and their goals. During this consultation, we discuss the client’s budget, timeline, and desired results. We will also provide them with a free estimate for our services. Once we understand their needs, we will create a custom graphic design solution that is tailored to their business. We will work with our clients every step of the way to ensure that they are satisfied with the final product.

[Company Name] is founded by [Founder’s Name], an experienced graphic design professional. [Founder’s Name] is an entrepreneur with a passion for graphic design who seeks to provide a one-of-a-kind upscale graphic design experience. His experience and our commitment to excellence will make [Company Name] the top graphic design agency in [Location].

[Company Name]’s History

After surveying the local customer base, [Founder’s Name] incorporated [Company Name] as an S-Corporation on [Date of Incorporation].

[Founder’s Name] is currently undergoing due diligence on several properties and the local market to assess the most desirable location for the graphic design agency.

Since incorporation, the company has achieved the following milestones:

• Developed the company’s name, logo, and website
• Determined the list of services to be offered
• Determined equipment requirements
• Began recruiting key employees

[Company Name]’s Products/Services

[Company Name] will provide a comprehensive list of graphic design services to help clients create beautiful websites, design print materials, and effectively market their brand. Our services include:

III. Industry Analysis

You can download our Business Plan Template (including a full, customizable financial model) to your computer here. [Company Name] competes against small, individually owned graphic design agencies and major regional or national chains. According to IBIS World, the U.S. graphic design market was valued at $49.7 billion in 2023 and grew 3.3% that same year. On average, the industry has grown 2.9% each year in the past five years. Similar growth is expected over the next several years.

The primary positive factor affecting this industry is the demand driven by the target audience to effectively market and promote their content, products, and services online. This creates a demand for well-designed websites and marketing materials that will enhance branding, lead generation, customer acquisition, and customer retention. There are not enough expert graphic designers to currently meet this demand, meaning that graphic design agencies are an essential business. If these trends continue, our graphic design agency will be in high demand for the foreseeable future.

IV. Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

[Company Name] will serve entrepreneurs, start-ups, corporate organizations, as well as small businesses in the [Location] area. Over time, the company expects that it will gain regional and national recognition.

Customer Segmentation

[Company Name] will primarily target the following customer segments:

• Entrepreneurs and Start-Ups : Entrepreneurs and start-ups don’t have the time, skill, or budget to hire an in-house graphic designer. Therefore, they are the most likely segment to need the services of a graphic design agency. We expect most of our clients will come from this segment.
• Corporate Organizations : Corporate organizations are always looking for outside help for affordable services and unique design and branding ideas. We look forward to working with several large industries and businesses located throughout the region.
• Small Businesses : Small businesses that need to increase their reach in the local, national, and international markets will make an important market segment for the company. Like start-ups, they may not have the budget to hire their own team of graphic designers and will need our agency’s services.

V. Competitive Analysis

Direct & indirect competitors.

The following establishments are located within a 20-mile radius of [Company Name], thus providing either direct or indirect competition for customers:

Sunset Designs Sunset Designs is the city’s most well-known graphic design agency and has been in business for 20 years. Sunset Designs specializes in helping mission-driven organizations by transforming their branding, social media, website design, and marketing strategy. Sunset Designs offers quality digital and print design services to ensure their clients maintain a consistent brand and improve their customer retention. Sunset Designs works with both small and large businesses to help them enhance their digital and physical presence. We expect that Sunset Designs will be our biggest competitor in the local market.

Digital Design Pros Digital Design Pros has been in the industry since 2010, catering to entrepreneurs and corporations alike. Digital Design Pros focuses on providing digital graphic design services, from website design and functionality to social media graphics. Digital Design Pros is dedicated to bringing customers’ business visions to life through its knowledge, experience, and visionary designs. Though Digital Design Pros will continue to thrive, they will only compete with us for clients who exclusively need digital graphic design services.

Wise Designs Wise Designs was established in 2012 and is known for its transparent work and real-time results for its clients. Wise Designs mainly focuses on designing printed materials for local businesses, including logos, flyers, and business cards. They also provide advice and consultations on brand strategy and how to attract new customers with their products. While Wise Designs’ services are still in high demand, they will only compete with us for clients who exclusively need printed products.

Competitive Advantage

[Company Name] enjoys several advantages over its competitors. These advantages include:

• Management : The company’s management team has [X] years of graphic design experience that allows them to serve customers in an improved and sophisticated manner than the competitors.
• Relationships : Having lived in the community for [X] years, [Founder’s Name] knows all of the local leaders, media, and other influencers. Furthermore, he will be able to draw from his existing personal and professional relationships to develop an initial client base.
• Location : [Company Name]’s location is near the center of town, giving the company access to budding artists, corporate organizations, entrepreneurs, and small businesses.

VI. Marketing Plan

The [company name] brand.

The [Company Name] brand will focus on the company’s unique value proposition:

• Convenient location.
• Offering a wide variety of high-quality graphic design services to entrepreneurs, corporate organizations, and small businesses.
• Providing excellent customer service.
• Moderate price point.

Promotions Strategy

[Company Name] expects its target market to be entrepreneurs, start-ups, corporate organizations, and small businesses. The company’s promotional strategy to reach the audience includes:

Pre-Opening Events Before opening the graphic design agency, [Company Name] will organize pre-opening events designed for prospective customers and press contacts. These events will create buzz and awareness for [Company Name] in the area.

Advertisement Advertisements in print publications like newspapers, magazines, etc., are an excellent way for businesses to connect with their audience. [Company Name] will advertise its company offerings in popular magazines and news dailies. Obtaining relevant placements in industry magazines and journals will also help in increasing brand visibility.

Public Relations [Company Name] will hire an experienced PR agency/professional(s) to formulate a compelling PR campaign to boost its brand visibility among the target audience. It will look to garner stories about the company and its services in various media outlets like podcasts, television stations, radio shows, etc.

Social Media Marketing Social media is one of the most cost-effective and practical marketing methods for improving brand visibility. [Company Name] will use social media to develop engaging content and post customer reviews that will increase audience awareness and loyalty.

Website/SEO [Company Name] will develop a professional website that displays details about our services, staff, location, and contact information. It will also invest in SEO so that the company’s website will appear at the top of search engine results.

Word of Mouth Marketing [Company Name] will encourage word-of-mouth marketing from loyal and satisfied clients. The company will use recommendations and word-of-mouth marketing to grow its customer base through the network of its existing customers.

Pricing Strategy

[Company Name]’s pricing will be moderate, so customers feel they receive great value when availing of the graphic design services. The customer can expect to receive quality services at a more affordable price than what they pay at an ultra-premium graphic design company.

VII. Operations Plan

Functional roles.

To execute [Company Name]’s business model, the company needs to perform many functions, including the following:

Service Functions

• Cold call potential clients
• Provide free estimates and complimentary consultations
• Design websites for better appearance and functionality
• Design printed products and marketing materials

Administrative Functions

• Bookkeeping
• Website and social media maintenance
• Hiring and training staff

VIII. Management Team

Management team members.

Though [Founder’s Name] has never run an agency before, he will hire several other staff to help him run the aspects of the business that he is unfamiliar with.

Hiring Plan

[Founder’s Name] will serve as the CEO. To launch the graphic design agency, the company will need to hire the following personnel:

• Graphic Designers (3 to start)
• Human Resources Manager
• Sales Executives (2 to start)
• Administrative Assistant

IX. Financial Plan

Revenue and cost drivers.

[Company Name]’s revenues will come from the fees charged for our graphic design services.

The major costs for the company will be staff salaries. In the initial years, the company’s marketing spend will be high, as it establishes itself in the market.

Capital Requirements and Use of Funds

Key assumptions.

The following table reflects the key revenue and cost assumptions made in the financial model:

5 Year Annual Income Statement

5 Year Annual Balance Sheet

5 Year Annual Cash Flow Statement

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How to Start a Profitable Graphic Design Business [11 Steps]

Business steps:, 1. perform market analysis., are graphic design businesses profitable, 2. draft a graphic design business plan., how does a graphic design business make money, 3. develop a graphic design brand., how to come up with a name for your graphic design business, 4. formalize your business registration., resources to help get you started:, 5. acquire necessary licenses and permits for graphic design., what licenses and permits are needed to run a graphic design business, 6. open a business bank account and secure funding as needed., 7. set pricing for graphic design services., what does it cost to start a graphic design business, 8. acquire graphic design equipment and supplies., list of software, tools and supplies needed to start a graphic design business:, 9. obtain business insurance for graphic design, if required., 10. begin marketing your graphic design services., 11. expand your graphic design business..

As your graphic design business matures, it's time to look at expansion strategies to scale up and reach new markets. Whether through diversifying your services, leveraging online platforms, or forming strategic partnerships, growth is within reach. Here are some key points to consider for expanding your graphic design business:

Graphic Design Business Plan [Sample Template]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business Plans » Arts & Craft Sector

Are you about starting a graphic design business ? If YES, here’s a complete sample graphic design business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE to raise money .

Look around you and you will see graphics all around you; from the television, to the internet and then to the books. Truth remains that graphics will continue to get all the attention it gets now because of the creativity involved in the profession.

Those who are in the trade know that one of the things that make one stand out is the level of creativity one is able to bring to the table.

The graphics industry is vastly becoming a saturated one as more and more people are beginning to take to the trade.  This is because of the profitability that it assures. If you are a graphic designer, there is no limit to the amount you can make as a professional- especially if you know how to generate doable business ideas.

The truth is that many talented graphic designers (graphic artist) gets stranded because they lack innovative ideas to transform their talents (skills) into a money making venture.

The fact that you are a graphic designer does not in any way restrict you to a certain way of doing business. First and foremost, you must have mastered the skill, and then you should look outside the box. Looking outside the box could mean that you should also acquire complementary skills like video editing and video coverage skills et al.

The bottom line is that if you want to make more money as a graphic designer, then you should be ready to go out of your way to develop innovative business ideas that is in sync with your skills; ideas that won’t take you too far from your core area of business. This is also  where having a detailed business plan comes in.

A Sample Graphic Design Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

The graphics design business has really opened up over the years and this can be especially attributed to the advent of the internet. A whole lot of things have really caused the business to really boom and in turn attract people to start the trade as well.

The advent of personal computers no doubt gave leverage to the graphic design industry, it is now easier for graphics designer to carry out their jobs from the comfort of their homes with ease and accuracy in terms of designs specifications and color combinations et al. Graphic design can be categorized under the visual and communication arts industry.

Everyone will quite agree that the graphic design industry has come to stay and of course it is one industry that plays key roles- not only in the business world, but also in nearly all the aspects of what goes around in our world today. For instance; organizations with top notch logos would have hired the services of a graphic artist.

As a matter of fact, the services of graphic artists are needed in branding, print advertisement, the publication industry (books, magazines and newspapers et al), handbills, posters, billboards, websites, product packaging and in other areas.

One of the good things about this business remains the fact that you can start by acquiring a skill in the business and then begin to horn your creativity skills in the industry. There are a thousand and one schools both offline and on line that offers trainings. All that is therefore needed to be done is to be really attentive so that one can get all the rudiments of the art right.

Over the years, the graphic design industry has experienced tremendous growth; from the use of crayons, colors, paints, markers and pencil, to the use of desktop publishing and graphic art software. Beyond every reasonable doubt, a graphic designer cannot be effective and efficient in this dispensation without the use of computers and computer software applications; computer enhanced creative process for graphic artists.

The graphic design industry is undeniably a very large industry and pretty much active in all the parts of the world. Statistics has it that in the united states of America alone, there are 138,035 registered graphic design companies, employing about 172,494 and the industry rakes in about $11bn annually.

The industry is indeed a highly competitive industry, which is why no graphic design company can boast of generating more than 5 percent of the total revenue in the industry.

As a matter of fact, IBIS World has stated that the two biggest graphic design companies have a combined market share of only 5.2 percent. Statistics also has it that 93.2 percent of players in the graphic design industry employ maximum of 10 full – time workers per time.

Over and above, the graphic design industry is very open to aspiring entrepreneurs who have the required skills to start his or her own graphic design business and of course make good money from the industry. As a matter of fact, it was projected that over the next five years, new technology will continue to emerge that will make it easier for more players to come into the industry hence increasing the competition in the industry.

2. Executive Summary

Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio Is a U.S based but world class graphics design company. We do not have plans to handle things with levity, which is why we have really made it a point of mandate to do all that we are able to We have been able to lock down a standard and well – positioned office facility in a busy business district in Baltimore, the largest city in Maryland.

We are a graphic design company that is set to compete in the highly competitive graphic design industry not only in the United States market, but also in the global market. Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio will be involved in the all aspect of graphic design services- such as Web Design, Print Media Design, Advertising and Corporate Branding, Graphic and Commercial art services, Corporate Identification design services (logos), Cartoons and Animations.

Our business goal is to become one of the leading graphic design companies in the United States and we will make sure that every graphic design jobs that leaves our studio can favorable compete with the best in the industry.

We believe that having the best of employees also have a ways of helping to boost a business. This is one of the reasons why our workers will be selected from a pool of talented and highly creative graphic artists in and around Baltimore and also from any part of the world as the business grows.

We will make sure that we take all the members of our workforce through the required trainings that will position them to meet the expectation of the company and to compete with leading graphic designers in the United States and throughout the globe.

We have put plans in place to build a state of the art graphics studio in Baltimore – Maryland. Our studio will be well equipped and we will ensure that we follow the trend in the industry. At Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio, our client’s best interest come first, and everything we do will be guided by our values and professional ethics.

We will ensure that we hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards by meeting our client’s needs precisely and completely. We will cultivate a working environment that provides a human, sustainable approach to earning a living, and living in our world, for our partners, employees and for our clients.

Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio is founded by Louis Clinton and his friend and business partner for many years Levi Bradford. They have a combine experience in corporate branding and advertising, cartoon and animations, graphic and commercial art services and print media design.

3. Our Products and Services

Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio was established with the aim of maximizing profits in the graphic design industry. We want to compete favorably with the leading graphics design companies in the United States, which is why we have but in place a competent quality assurance team that will ensure that all our graphic designs and services meet and even surpass our customers’ expectations.

We will work hard to ensure that Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio is not just accepted nationally in the United States of America, but also in other parts of the world. Our products and services are listed below;

• Print Media Design
• Advertising and Corporate Branding
• Graphic and Commercial art services
• Corporate Identification design services
• Creating Illustrations
• Cartoon and Animations (3D et al) Production

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our vision is to establish a standard graphic design studio whose services and brand will not only be accepted in the United States of America, but also in other parts of the world.
• We are poised to solve the graphics problems around town.
• Our mission is to provide professional and highly creative graphic design and related services that will assist businesses, individuals and non-profit organizations in promoting their brands.
• We want to build a graphic design company that can favorably compete with other leading brands in the industry.

Our Business Structure

At Louis and Levi, we have structured our business so well so that all and sundry can benefits from Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio. Our business is a graphic design company that intends to   start small in Baltimore, but hope to grow big in order to compete favorably with leading graphic design studios in the industry both in the United States and on a global stage.

We are aware of the importance of building a solid business structure that can support the picture of the kind of world class business we want to own. This is why we are committed to only hire the best hands within our area of operations.

At Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio, we will ensure that we hire people that are qualified, hardworking, creative, customer centric and are ready to work to help us build a prosperous business that will benefit all the stake holders (the owners, workforce, and customers).

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our senior management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of five years or more as agreed by the board of trustees of the company. In view of the above, we have decided to hire qualified and competent hands to occupy the following positions;

• Chief Executive Officer
• Creative Director

Human Resources and Admin Manager

• Sales and Marketing Executive
• Graphic Artist
• Cartoon and Animation Specialist

Client Service Executive

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

Chief Executive Officer – CEO:

• Increases management’s effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining managers; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; developing incentives; developing a climate for offering information and opinions; providing educational opportunities.
• Responsible for providing direction for the business
• Creating, communicating, and implementing the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
• Evaluates the success of the organization

Creative Director:

• Serves as project manager of the organization; works directly with employees
• Responsible for designing concepts for advertisements and other promotional needs for client (s)
• In charge of copy writing and laying out chronological advertisement plans
• Develops strategic plan by studying technological and financial opportunities; presenting assumptions; recommending objectives.
• Accomplishes subsidiary objectives by establishing plans, budgets, and results measurements; allocating resources; reviewing progress; making mid-course corrections.
• Coordinates efforts by establishing procurement, production, marketing, field, and technical services policies and practices; coordinating actions with corporate staff.
• Builds company image by collaborating with customers, government, community organizations, and employees; enforcing ethical business practices.
• Maintains quality service by establishing and enforcing organization standards.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; benchmarking state-of-the-art practices; participating in professional societies.
• Make certain that production and development department perform efficiently, coordinate employee efforts, and facilitate communications between management and graphic designer
• Ensures that the organization work in line with international best practices.
• Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
• Defining job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
• Carries out staff induction for new team members
• Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
• Responsible for arranging travel, meetings and appointments
• Oversee the smooth running of the daily office and factory activities.
• Makes sure that the smooth and daily cleaning is never compromised.

Sales and Marketing Manager

• Manage external research and coordinate all the internal sources of information to retain the organizations’ best customers and attract new ones
• Models demographic information and analyze the volumes of transactional data generated by customer
• Identifies development opportunities; follows up on development leads and contacts; participates in the structuring and financing of projects; assures the completion of development projects.
• Writes winning proposal documents, negotiate fees and rates in line with organizations’ policy
• Responsible for handling business research, market surveys and feasibility studies for clients
• Responsible for supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs, and communicate with clients
• Develops, executes and evaluates new plans for expanding increase sales
• Creates new markets cum businesses for the organization
• Empowers and motivates the sales team to meet and surpass agreed targets
• Attends really warmly to the clients that come to the office.

Accountant / Cashier:

• Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• Provides managements with financial analyses, development budgets, and accounting reports; analyzes financial feasibility for the most complex proposed projects; conducts market research to forecast trends and business conditions.
• Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
• Performs cash management, general ledger accounting, and financial reporting for one or more properties.
• Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
• Responsible for administering payrolls
• Ensuring compliance with taxation legislation
• Handles all financial transactions for Pick ‘a’ Brain™ Finishing School
• Serves as internal auditor for Pick ‘a’ Brain™ Finishing School

Graphic Designers (2)

• Liaises with clients to determine their requirement and budget
• Responsible for developing concepts, graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos, and websites
• Responsible for managing client proposals from typesetting through to design, print and production
• Responsible for reviewing final layout and suggesting improvement if necessary
• Responsible for working with clients, briefing and advising them with regards to design style, format, print production and timescales et al
• Determine size and arrangement of illustrative material and copy, and font style and size
• Responsible for liaising with external printers on a regular basis to ensure deadlines are met and material is printed to the highest quality
• Responsible for preparing drafts or material based on an agreement brief.
• Researches and advice the organization on style, genre and other trendy info as it relates to graphic design.

Cartoon and Animator Specialist (2)

• Responsible for designing models, background, sets, characters, objects and the animation environment
• Works creatively to produce original and aesthetically pleasing designs and solutions
• Uses specialist computer software applications such as Maya, Lightwave, Softimage, Cinema 4D, Flash and After Effects
• Presents designs to customers for evaluation
• Liaises and working effectively with other design and production staff
• Welcomes students and visitors by greeting them in person or on the telephone; answering or directing inquiries.
• Ensures that all contacts with clients (e-mail, walk-In center, SMS or phone) provides the client with a personalized customer service experience of the highest level
• Through interaction with students on the phone, uses every opportunity to build client’s interest in the company’s products and services
• Manages administrative duties assigned by the school coordinator in an effective and timely manner
• Consistently stays abreast of any new information on the schools’ products, promotional campaigns etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information is supplied to students when they make enquiries

6. SWOT Analysis

Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio engaged the services of a core professional in the area of business consulting and structuring to assist our organization in building a well – structured graphic design business that can favorably compete in the highly competitive graphic design industry in the United States and the world at large.

Part of what the team of business consultant did was to work with the management of our organization in conducting a SWOT analysis for Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio. We believe it was really expedient to have only professionals handle this aspect and so we got the best of results.

Here is a summary from the result of the SWOT analysis that was conducted on behalf of Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio;

Our core strength lies in the power of our team; our workforce. We have a team of creative and highly proficient graphic designers, a team with excellent qualifications and experience various niche areas in the graphic design industry.

Aside from the synergy that exists in our carefully selected graphic artists our designs and services will be guided by best practices in the industry. We know that with a solid area of strength, we will be able to attract loads of people, who will patronize us.

As a new graphic design company in Baltimore – Maryland, it might take some time for our organization to break into the market and gain acceptance especially from top profile clients in the already saturated and highly competitive graphic design industry; that is perhaps our major weakness. Another weakness is that we may not have the required cash to promote our business the way we would want to.

• Opportunities:

No doubt, the opportunities in the graphic design industry is massive considering the number of individuals and corporate organizations whose businesses depends on the services of graphic artist. As a graphic design company, we are ready to take advantage of any opportunity that is available in the industry.

Therefore, for us to harness what we have, we have to be all hard working so that at the end of the day after putting our best, we will get what we deserve.

Just like any other business, one of the major threats that we are likely going to face is economic downturn. It is a fact that economic downturn affects purchasing / spending power. Another threat that may likely confront us is the arrival of a new graphic design company in same location where our target market exist and who may want to adopt same Business model like us.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

The trend in the graphic design industry is that the target market keeps expanding, people and organizations are now seeing the need for them to engage the services of graphic designers either in branding or packaging their products and services or in helping them create animations that will help them communicate their brand to a wide range of clients.

For example; politicians no longer rely on graphic artists to design and produce colorful campaign handbills, posters, billboards and other print related campaign materials but also to help them produce animations and cartoons that will help them effectively communicate their message.

Another common trend in the graphic design industry is that, most graphic design firms no longer settle for clients within the location where there physical office is located but also from any part of the world. The truth is that with the advent of the internet, it is now easier for a graphic design company or a graphic designer to work for clients in any part of the world.

A graphic design company can be located in the United States of America and have their biggest client in United Arab Emirates. Many thanks to the power of the internet. Lastly, the graphic design industry will continue to evolve due to the advancement of computer technology and software applications designs et al.

8. Our Target Market

Before starting our graphic design business, we are certain that there is a wide range of both corporate and individual clients who cannot successfully run their businesses without the services of graphic designers. As a matter of fact, without graphic designers branding, publications and animation industry will struggle.

In view of that, we have created strategies that will enable us reach out to various corporate organizations and individual who we know can’t afford to do without our services.

We have conducted our market research and survey and we will ensure that all our graphic design services is well accepted in the marketplace. Below is a list of the people and organizations that we have specifically market our products and services to;

• Banks, Insurance Companies and other related Financial Institutions
• Blue Chips Companies
• Corporate Organizations
• Manufacturers and Distributors
• Real Estate Owners, Developers, and Contractors
• Research and Development Companies
• The Government (Public Sector)
• Schools (High Schools, Colleges and Universities)
• Sport Organizations
• Religious Organizations
• Political Parties
• Television Stations
• Printing Press (Publishing Houses) and Authors
• Branding and Advertising agencies
• Entrepreneurs and Start – Ups

Our Competitive Advantage

No doubt the competition in the graphic design industry is getting stiffer by the day, you have to be highly creative and come up with appealing designs and concepts in order to survive in the industry. The graphic design industry is indeed a very prolific and at the same time a highly competitive industry.

Clients will only hire your services if they know that they can get nothing but the best from you. We are quite aware that to be highly competitive in the graphic design industry means that you are not only expected to be able to deliver consistent and highly creative designs, but you must be able to meet set targets.

No one would want to continue to hire your services if don’t always meet up with the target date of completion of projects.

Our competitive advantage lies in the power of our team; our workforce. We have a team of creative and highly proficient graphic designers, a team with excellent qualifications and experience various niche areas in the graphic design industry.

Aside from the synergy that exists in our carefully selected graphic artists our designs and services will be guided by best practices in the industry.

Lastly, all our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be among the best within our category (startups graphic design businesses in the United States) in the industry. It will enable them to be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and achieve all our business aims and objectives.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

Sources of Income

Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio is established with the aim of maximizing profits in the graphic design industry and we are going to go all the way to ensure that we do all it takes to meet and surpass the expectations of all our clients.

This is why one of the things that we have done is to identify the areas that we will source out startup funds from. Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio will generate income by offering the following graphic design related services;

10. Sales Forecast

Having good sales is one of the driving forces of our graphics designing business. This is why we are always taking time to do a proper forecast. We know that constantly doing this will help us sit up in the aspects where we may be found wanting.

One thing is certain; there would always be corporate organization and individual who would need the services of graphic design firms.

We are well positioned to take on the available market in graphic design industry and we are quite optimistic that we will meet our set target of generating enough income / profits from the first six month of operations and grow our graphic design company to enviable heights.

We have been able to critically examine the graphic design market and we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast. The sales projection is based on information gathered on the field and some assumptions that are peculiar to similar startups in Baltimore – Maryland.

Below is the sales projection for Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio, it is based on the location of our business and of course the wide range of our services and target market;

• First Year-: $100,000
• Second Year-: $300,000
• Third Year-: $7500, 000

N.B: This projection is done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown and there won’t be any major competitor offering same graphic services as we do within same location. Please note that the above projection might be lower and at the same time it might be higher.

• Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

We are mindful of the fact that there is stiffer competition in the graphic design industry; hence we have been able to hire some of the best marketing experts to handle our sales and marketing.

Our sales and marketing team will be recruited based on their vast experiences in the graphic design industry and they will be trained on a regular basis so as to be well equipped to meet their targets and the overall business goal of Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio.

Our goal is to grow Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio and to become one of the top 10 graphic design studios in the United States of America which is why we have mapped out strategy that will help us take advantage of the available market and grow to become a major force to reckon with not only in the United States of America but also in other parts of the world.

Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio are set to make use of the following marketing and sales strategies to attract clients;

• Introduce our graphic design company by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to corporate organizations, religious organizations and key stake holders.
• Promptness in bidding for graphic design contracts from the government and other cooperate organizations
• Advertise our business in relevant business magazines, newspapers, TV stations, and radio station.
• List our business on yellow pages ads (local directories)
• Attend relevant international and local expos, seminars, and business fairs et al
• Create different packages for different category of clients in order to work with their budgets and still deliver excellent design and services
• Leverage on the internet to promote our business
• Engage direct marketing approach
• Encourage word of mouth marketing from loyal and satisfied clients
• Offer Probono services to people who need graphics designing services.
• Hold free graphics training for people who might   want to learn.

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

We have been able to work with our in house brand and publicity consultants to help us map out publicity and advertising strategies that will help us walk our way into the heart of our target market.

We are set to become the number one choice for both corporate clients and individual clients in the whole of the United States and beyond which is why we have made provisions for effective publicity and advertisement of our graphic design company. Below are the platforms we intend to leverage on to promote and advertise Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio;

• Place adverts on both print (newspapers and magazines) and electronic media platforms
• Sponsor relevant community based events / programs
• Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; Instagram, Facebook , twitter, YouTube, Google + et al to promote our services
• Install our BillBoards on strategic locations all around Baltimore – Maryland.
• Engage in road show from time to time in targeted neighborhoods
• Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas
• Contact corporate organizations by calling them up and informing them of Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio and the services we offer
• List our graphic design company in local directories / yellow pages
• Advertise our graphic design company in our official website and employ strategies that will help us pull traffic to the site.
• Ensure that all our staff members wear our branded shirts and all our vehicles are well branded with our company logo et al.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

At Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio we will keep the prices of our services below the average market rate for all of our customers by keeping our overhead low and by collecting payment in advance from corporate organizations who would hire our services. In addition, we will also offer special discounted rates to all our customers at regular intervals.

It is vital we do this so that we do not scare people away with our pricing. We are aware that there are some one-off jobs or government contracts which are always lucrative; we will ensure that we abide by the pricing model that is expected from contractors or organizations that bid for such contracts.

• Payment Options

At Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio, our payment policy will be all inclusive because we are quite aware that different people prefer different payment options as it suits them. Here are the payment options that we will make available to our clients;

• Payment by via bank transfer
• Payment via online bank transfer
• Payment via check
• Payment via bank draft
• Payment via mobile money
• Payment with cash

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will help us achieve our plans with little or no itches.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

In setting up any business, the amount or cost will depend on the approach and scale you want to undertake. If you intend to go big by renting a place, then you would need a good amount of capital as you would need to ensure that your employees are well taken care of, and that your facility is conducive enough for workers to be creative and productive.

This means that the start-up can either be low or high depending on your goals, vision and aspirations for your business. The materials and equipment that will be used are nearly the same cost everywhere, and any difference in prices would be minimal and can be overlooked.

As for the detailed cost analysis for starting a graphic design company; it might differ in other countries due to the value of their money. However, this is what it would cost us to setup Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio in the United of America;

• Business incorporation fees in the United States of America will cost – $750.
• The budget for Liability insurance, permits and license will cost – $3,500
• Acquiring an office space or warehouse that will accommodate the number of employees for at least 6 months (Re – Construction of the facility inclusive to fit into the design of our graphic studio) will cost – $150,000.
• Equipping the office (computers, printers, projectors, markers, servers / internet facility, furniture, telephones, filing cabinets, and electronics) will cost – $10,000
• Amount required to purchase the needed software applications – $ 3,500
• Launching an official Website will cost – $500
• Amount need to pay bills and staff members for at least 2 to 3 months – $70,000
• Additional Expenditure such as Business cards, Signage, Adverts and Promotions will cost – $5,000

Going by the report from the market research and feasibility studies conducted, we will need about two hundred and fifty thousand (250,000) U.S. dollars to successfully set – up a medium scale but standard graphic design company firm in the United States of America.

Generating Funding / Startup Capital for Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio

Louis & Levi Graphic Design Studio is a business that will be owned by Louis Clinton and his friend and business partner for many years Levi Bradford. They are the sole financial of the business which is why they decided to restrict the sourcing of the start – up capital for the business to just three major sources. These are the areas we intend generating our start – up capital;

• Generate part of the start – up capital from personal savings and sale of his stocks
• Generate part of the start – up capital from friends and other extended family members
• Generate a larger chunk of the startup capital from the bank (loan facility).

N.B: We have been able to generate about $100,000 (Personal savings $85,000 and soft loan from family members $15,000) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $150,000 from our bank. All the papers and document has been duly signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

It is easier for businesses to survive when they have steady flow of business deals / customers patronizing their products and services. We are aware of this which is why we have decided to develop a various mobile apps for different clients and for different purposes.

We will also work with corporate clients to help them develop customized mobile apps for their business. We know that if we continue to come up with highly creative and unique graphic designs and excellent job delivery for both businesses and individual, there will be steady flow of income for the organization.

Our key sustainability and expansion strategy is to ensure that we only hire creative, competent and selfless graphic artists and cartoon and animation specialist, create a conducive working environment and employee benefits for our staff members.

In the nearest future, we will give our most dedicated and prolific employees the opportunity to be part owner of the business. We know that if we implement our business strategies, we will achieve our business goals and objectives in record time.

Check List / Milestone

• Business Name Availability Check:>Completed
• Business Incorporation: Completed
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts various banks in the United States: Completed
• Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
• Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
• Securing a standard office facility for our studio: Completed
• Application for business license and permit: Completed
• Purchase of All form of Insurance for the Business: Completed
• Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
• Generating part of the start – up capital from the founders: Completed
• Writing of Business Plan: Completed
• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
• Drafting of Contract Documents: In Progress
• Design of Logo for the business: Completed
• Secure trademark for our products: In Progress
• Graphic Designs and Printing of Packaging Marketing / Promotional Materials: Completed
• Recruitment of employees: In Progress
• Purchase of the Needed furniture, office equipment, software applications, electronic appliances and facility facelift: In progress
• Creating Official Website for the business: In Progress
• Creating Awareness for the business: In Progress
• Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement: In Progress
• Establishing business relationship with vendors and key players in various industries: In Progress

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How to Write a Business Plan: Your Step-by-Step Guide

So, you’ve got an idea and you want to start a business —great! Before you do anything else, like seek funding or build out a team, you'll need to know how to write a business plan. This plan will serve as the foundation of your company while also giving investors and future employees a clear idea of your purpose.

Below, Lauren Cobello, Founder and CEO of Leverage with Media PR , gives her best advice on how to make a business plan for your company.

Build your dream business with the help of a high-paying job—browse open jobs on The Muse »

What is a business plan, and when do you need one?

According to Cobello, a business plan is a document that contains the mission of the business and a brief overview of it, as well as the objectives, strategies, and financial plans of the founder. A business plan comes into play very early on in the process of starting a company—more or less before you do anything else.

“You should start a company with a business plan in mind—especially if you plan to get funding for the company,” Cobello says. “You’re going to need it.”

Whether that funding comes from a loan, an investor, or crowdsourcing, a business plan is imperative to secure the capital, says the U.S. Small Business Administration . Anyone who’s considering giving you money is going to want to review your business plan before doing so. That means before you head into any meeting, make sure you have physical copies of your business plan to share.

Different types of business plans

The four main types of business plans are:

Startup Business Plans

Internal business plans, strategic business plans, one-page business plans.

Let's break down each one:

If you're wondering how to write a business plan for a startup, Cobello has advice for you. Startup business plans are the most common type, she says, and they are a critical tool for new business ventures that want funding. A startup is defined as a company that’s in its first stages of operations, founded by an entrepreneur who has a product or service idea.

Most startups begin with very little money, so they need a strong business plan to convince family, friends, banks, and/or venture capitalists to invest in the new company.

Internal business plans “are for internal use only,” says Cobello. This kind of document is not public-facing, only company-facing, and it contains an outline of the company’s business strategy, financial goals and budgets, and performance data.

Internal business plans aren’t used to secure funding, but rather to set goals and get everyone working there tracking towards them.

As the name implies, strategic business plans are geared more towards strategy and they include an assessment of the current business landscape, notes Jérôme Côté, a Business Advisor at BDC Advisory Services .

Unlike a traditional business plan, Cobello adds, strategic plans include a SWOT analysis (which stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) and an in-depth action plan for the next six to 12 months. Strategic plans are action-based and take into account the state of the company and the industry in which it exists.

Although a typical business plan falls between 15 to 30 pages, some companies opt for the much shorter One-Page Business Plan. A one-page business plan is a simplified version of the larger business plan, and it focuses on the problem your product or service is solving, the solution (your product), and your business model (how you’ll make money).

A one-page plan is hyper-direct and easy to read, making it an effective tool for businesses of all sizes, at any stage.

How to create a business plan in 7 steps

Every business plan is different, and the steps you take to complete yours will depend on what type and format you choose. That said, if you need a place to start and appreciate a roadmap, here’s what Cobello recommends:

1. Conduct your research

Before writing your business plan, you’ll want to do a thorough investigation of what’s out there. Who will be the competitors for your product or service? Who is included in the target market? What industry trends are you capitalizing on, or rebuking? You want to figure out where you sit in the market and what your company’s value propositions are. What makes you different—and better?

2. Define your purpose for the business plan

The purpose of your business plan will determine which kind of plan you choose to create. Are you trying to drum up funding, or get the company employees focused on specific goals? (For the former, you’d want a startup business plan, while an internal plan would satisfy the latter.) Also, consider your audience. An investment firm that sees hundreds of potential business plans a day may prefer to see a one-pager upfront and, if they’re interested, a longer plan later.

3. Write your company description

Every business plan needs a company description—aka a summary of the company’s purpose, what they do/offer, and what makes it unique. Company descriptions should be clear and concise, avoiding the use of jargon, Cobello says. Ideally, descriptions should be a few paragraphs at most.

4. Explain and show how the company will make money

A business plan should be centered around the company’s goals, and it should clearly explain how the company will generate revenue. To do this, Cobello recommends using actual numbers and details, as opposed to just projections.

For instance, if the company is already making money, show how much and at what cost (e.g. what was the net profit). If it hasn’t generated revenue yet, outline the plan for how it will—including what the product/service will cost to produce and how much it will cost the consumer.

5. Outline your marketing strategy

How will you promote the business? Through what channels will you be promoting it? How are you going to reach and appeal to your target market? The more specific and thorough you can be with your plans here, the better, Cobello says.

6. Explain how you’ll spend your funding

What will you do with the money you raise? What are the first steps you plan to take? As a founder, you want to instill confidence in your investors and show them that the instant you receive their money, you’ll be taking smart actions that grow the company.

7. Include supporting documents

Creating a business plan is in some ways akin to building a legal case, but for your business. “You want to tell a story, and to be as thorough as possible, while keeping your plan succinct, clear, interesting, and visually appealing,” Cobello says. “Supporting documents could include financial projects, a competitive analysis of the market you’re entering into, and even any licenses, patents, or permits you’ve secured.”

A business plan is an individualized document—it’s ultimately up to you what information to include and what story you tell. But above all, Cobello says, your business plan should have a clear focus and goal in mind, because everything else will build off this cornerstone.

“Many people don’t realize how important business plans are for the health of their company,” she says. “Set aside time to make this a priority for your business, and make sure to keep it updated as you grow.”

22 Best Business Plan PowerPoint Templates

Use these business plan PowerPoint templates to launch your next enterprise.

In this post, we’ll look at some of the best business plan PowerPoint templates you can download and use. And, as a bonus, we’re offering two templates completely free! Just click below to download them.

2 Free PowerPoint Business Plan Templates

Yefora multi-purpose powerpoint template.

• 60 sample business plans PPT slides
• fully editable text
• RGB color mode
• simple slides to make your key points clearer

Evolved: Business Plan PowerPoint Template for Free

• 40+ slides for creative, education, or business presentations
• one of the best fundraising presentations PPT
• easily editable
• vector-based icons

More Business Plan PPT Templates to Download

Explore all of these business plan presentation PPT examples. See how a polished, engaging presentation can captivate your audience. You can even find an amazing fundraising presentation template for your next project.

1. Influencers Business Plan Presentation

• ultra-modern design
• great for business, portfolio, corporate, branding, advertising
• 35 sample business plans PPT layouts
• business plan examples PPT guidelines

2. Corporary Business PowerPoint Template

• clean, modern, and easy to edit
• perfect for PowerPoint business plan or portfolio
• easy to customize and fully editable

3. Opus Business PowerPoint Template

• colorful and innovative design
• 12 .PPTX files and 12 .PPT files
• 3 premade color themes
• includes business plan examples PPT layouts

4. Modern Blue Green Digital Marketing Presentation

• versatile business plan template PPT
• perfect for presenting a marketing strategy
• fully editable
• 25 unique slides

5. Modern Minimalist Business Plan Presentation

• suitable for many businesses
• all elements are fully editable
• 30 unique slides with data charts and infographics
• 16:9 widescreen ratio

6. Business Plan PowerPoint Template Presentation

• trendy and colorful presentation
• ideal for pitching your business plans
• 30 PowerPoint business plan slides
• free web fonts used and recommended

7. Business Plan PowerPoint

• PowerPoint business plan presentation
• drag and drop images
• strong focus on typography and usability
• predefined text styles

8. Radeon Presentation Template

• 30 modern, creative, unique slides
• 5 color schemes
• perfect business plan template PPT and startup PPT
• works for a non-profit organization PowerPoint presentation

9. SWOT Business Presentation

• perfect for corporate presentations
• 20+ color themes
• 111 simple unique slides
• multiple aspect ratio (16:9, 4:3, US Letter)

10. Proxima Business PowerPoint Template

• clean business plan template PPT
• big typefaces to focus on data
• 72+ unique slides and 6 color schemes
• transitions (not over-animated)

11. Business Planning PowerPoint Template

• 150+ slides
• handcrafted infographic
• Pixel-perfect illustrations
• all graphics are resizable and editable

12. Business Plan for Presentation Template

• easy-to-use presentation template
• unique and creative slides
• PowerPoint, Keynote, and Google Slides template
• easy drag and drop to change images

13. Fritz Business Plan

• 30 editable slides for Google Slides and PowerPoint
• perfect for your startup or business
• 16:9 aspect ratio
• Google Fonts

14. Planning Modern Business PowerPoint Template

• infographic pack for building recognition
• 80 unique slides
• light and dark versions
• fully customizable

15. Business Plan PowerPoint Template

• professional presentation template
• 16:9 aspect ratio (HD)
• perfect for your business, startup, or tech and finance presentation

16. Business Plan Presentation PowerPoint Template

• modern presentation with 32 PowerPoint slides
• includes creative layouts and infographics
• easily edit and adjust to suit your business needs
• Google Fonts used

17. Sunne Creative Agency Business Plan Presentation

• creative agency business plan presentation
• 15 unique slides (PPT and PPTX)
• uses free fonts from Google Fonts

18. Keria Business Plan PowerPoint Template

• engaging business plan examples for PPT
• 50 unique and editable presentation slides
• 2 color variations
• vector shape illustrations are included

19. Reka Business Plan

• theme suitable for PowerPoint and Google Slides
• 30 editable slides
• aspect ratio 16:9
• dynamic business plan PowerPoint example
• works as a non-profit pitch deck example

20. Conderi Marketing PowerPoint Template

• 15 PowerPoint slides
• 16:9 widescreen ratio (1920×1080px)
• picture placeholder

Which Template Will You Use for Your PowerPoint Business Plan?

Are you ready to take your business to new heights? Elevate your strategy with premium and free business plan PowerPoint templates from Envato Elements . Also find plenty of sample fundraising PowerPoint presentations for you to customize in no time.

We’ve seen a bunch of business plan PowerPoint presentation examples in this article. Looking for a non-profit fundraising PowerPoint presentation? We’ve also featured some of the best fundraising presentations PPT for your startup.

Choose from the business plan PowerPoint examples featured to make your brand shine. Boost your business towards success for 2024 and the future!

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