Most small businesses set an annual advertising budget at 10% of gross revenue. Marketing should be considered an expense and budgeted for at the beginning of every year. As part of your business budget, you'll find it much easier to plan a consistentmarketing program.
Only you can know for sure, and it is entirely up to you to decide. Most professionals and consumers who aren't in advertising design are surprised by how expensive it can be. Remember that you are paying not only for a creative service, but alsoa tangible product used to promote an idea or identity. For the most accurate and realistic information on the value of branding, design and illustration services, you can look at The Graphic Artists Guild Handbook of Pricing and Ethical Guidelines.
Champ Creative bills for services in three different ways, depending on the preference of the client: (1) by the hour, (2) by the project, or (3) by a monthly retainer.
When billing by the hour or project, Champ Creative charges an hourly rate for services. When jobs are quoted on a per-project basis, you will receive a cost estimate. This proposal will include costs related to Champ Creative’s services.
Clients who opt for retainer billing are able to purchase marketing and design hours "in bulk." With a retainer agreement, a pre-determined number of hours are packaged under a set monthly price.
Based on previous experience with other projects, Champ Creative will estimate how many hours may be required for your project. All this information is compiled into a written proposal that provides a "ballpark" idea of what your project should cost. Please note: If you make changes to your original specifications, you will be invoiced for the additional time (see also: Additional fees for revisions.)
50% of the estimated project cost is due in advance, with the remainder due at completion. For projects that take longer than 30 days, billing is sent periodically for the portion of work that has been completed and expenses to date.
Champ Creative strives to complete projects as cost-effectively and efficiently as possible. When you need a project done your project is prioritized to meet your deadline. A rush fee is a percentage of the total added on to compensate for unusually rapid turnaround. For expedited deadlines that require adjusted schedules to accommodate it, rush fees may apply.
Yes. When Champ Creative is consulting with its clients or on behalf of its clients, it is considered billable time. You are paying for our consultation services, expertise, and time spent on your account.
Champ Creative charges for expenses related to each job, such as travel, printing, shipping, copies, proofs, stock art, etc.
Champ Creative tracks all time spent on each project. The Client’s approval shall be obtained for any increases in fees or expenses that exceed the original estimate by ten percent (10%) or more.
Kill fees ensure partial compensation for our commitment of time when a project is terminated for reasons not controlled by Champ Creative (business fails, project gets "killed"). Charges for services rendered will be approximately as follows:
It is an industry standard to include one to two rounds of minor revisions to refine a composition, idea, or text. Anything beyond that is billable. For example: You originally choose a concept after our Phase 1 presentation. But after subsequent Phase 2 production, you decide to pursue an entirely new concept or direction; this would be considered an extensive and job-changing revision.
Yes. Champ Creative is happy to work with your existing marketing staff, or coordinate with your favorite designer, webmaster, photographer, or other professional with whom you've had a positive working relationship.
This section typically applies to illustrations or photography. Permissions and usage rights specify when, where, how many times, and by whom the art can be used before further compensation is necessary. For instance, you may get a quote for an illustration to be used on a sign.
In a year, if you decide to use the same illustration on a billboard, you are obligated to make an additional compensation agreement with the illustrator because the original use no longer solely applies. Project pricing is partially determined by distribution and usage, and there are options for buying exclusive full rights to art. Please provide as much information as possible up-front for a complete quote. It is important to note that the creator always has the right to show the work for self-promotion unless additional, significant compensation is provided—usually along with a legally binding confidentiality agreement or contract.
Final files, created by Champ Creative, become the full property of our clients once all invoices for the project in question have been paid-in-full. We reserve the right to keep a digital copy of materials created in our archive, and the right to use materials created for self-promotional purposes.
You are provided with final files at project completion. They include all you will need to produce your final product, but in most cases you cannot make changes to them (because it's not technically possible). Working files are the files we use to make adjustments during revisions, etc. Champ Creative retains ownership of working files. For example: When you purchase a car, you receive an assembled product; anything beyond the delivered car that needs adjustment requires a mechanic or technician. By that example, we provide you with a final assembled file, and can make any future adjustments by using the working files. Arrangements can be made to transfer ownership of working files to you for future use on your end at an additional cost. (see The Graphic Artists Guild Handbook of Pricing and Ethical Guidelines for industry standards)
Dots per inch (dpi) refers to the density of information within a file. The dpi determines the maximum physical size an image can be enlarged before it becomes pixelated (image loses clarity and looks like a Mosaic). The higher the resolution, the better—so if you're providing images for use in a project, please always provide the largest possible files. Please contact us directly if you need assistance determining the size of a file.
Standard print resolution is 300dpi. That means a printer needs a 300dpi file to print an image without pixelization. Screen resolution is 72dpi, which means a computer screen needs a 72dpi file to make a good visual representation. IMPORTANT: Screen resolution files (such as images on a website) have only 20% of the image information necessary to print. A postcard-size on a website would actually print as postage stamp-size. Remember this when trying to use files from digital cameras or internet images.
A file designed for web (screen) use cannot be easily adapted for print use. It must be designed or recreated "from scratch.”
Bleed defines image area "bleeding" beyond the edges of a printed page. Art for such projects must be slightly larger than final product size (trim size). IMPORTANT: Some output methods (like a home printer or copier) cannot provide bleed, since a margin is necessary.
Output (how art is printed and what it's printed on) will greatly affect the cost. Fancy folds, intricate cuts, spot colors, or custom edging may affect your price. For instance, postcards with rounded corners might require the printer to create a "die” to cut the special, non-square shape. In the case of special finishing requests, various sources are consulted to determine accurate pricing and ultimately deliver the results you desire.
We select printers and other vendors based on their service, quality, and prices. Any service provider we use is recommended due to their history of quality work and ability to meet technical requirements and turnarounds
Christian is a remarkable and unusual combination of creativity at the highest level, and attention to detail. If you want someone who can think out of the box and yet deliver world-class work on-time and over and over again, partner with Christian. He is also likable and easy to work with, and he cares about getting to a great outcome that works for his clients. ”
-Dennis Welch
President, Articulate PR and Communications
Christian is a fantastic professional and excellent to work with. His work is outstanding, on time and on budget. I recommend Christian without hesitation. ”
-Stephanie White
Marketing + Brand Strategist
Christian is professional at his craft. We recently contracted Christian's company “Champ Creative” to build a host of different graphic and media elements. No matter how unreasonable the request, he is always able to beat our expectations. It became apparent right away that Champ Creative needed to be our partner in all media applications. I would recommend him for many reasons, but his resourcefulness, integrity and creativity are the core of why we have chosen Christian. ”
-Noel Bonn
President & CEO at The Hummus Guy
Working with Champ Creative is a true pleasure and I recommend their services without hesitation. Christian Anthony has worked on numerous projects for Dynamic Systems over the years, all with exceptional results. We know Christian to be a constant professional. Christian's team always has innovative ideas and they have the technical and creative skills to execute flawlessly.”
-Mardi Norman
President & CEO at Dynamic Systems Inc
Christian has been instrumental in building the “Blue Zones Project” brand in the beach cities. He is creative, efficient, and professional and his sense of humor makes him a joy to work with when there is a tight deadline. He is passionate about the work he does but he is also passionate about the community he lives in, which makes him a particularly strong asset on a local program that has nationwide potential.”
-Paige Lapen
Community Coach at Healthways, a ShareCare Company
Christian and Champ Creative have done a great job creating engaging & effective marketing materials, logos and graphics for my start-up company and the business association that I work with. His professionalism, creativity and ability to fully understand our current and long-term needs served us well. I highly recommend his marketing, branding and conceptualization/design services. He always delivers on time, under budget. Thank you Christian, we look great because of your efforts!”
-John Gran
Product Development & Operations Executive
We engaged Christian to take over management of one of our websites that was transferring to new ownership. He managed the project extremely well and everything went off without a hitch. The new company was very happy with the ease of transition and the capabilities that Champ Creative brings to the table. This could have been a problematic transition, but it was one of the easiest projects I worked on this year. Christian is great!”
-Charlotte Doepker
Vice President, Marketing at Keenan and Associates
Christian is a creative thinker and hard worker. During our time working together, he has made an impact on our company’s branding. He updated our brand's appearance creating a much higher quality feel while following direction towards a theme of comfort and class. He brings a fresh vision and unique perspective to our marketing department. I highly recommend Christian and Champ Creative to anyone or any company looking for a true creative partner and visual/media expert that can handle graphic design in any medium.”
-Lineth Lopez
Promotions Manager at Sexy Hair Concepts