Custom vs. template graphic design: choose the best | Custom graphic design vs. templates: The difference | Duplex Technologies
Posted By : Ambesh Mishra, Posted Date : Aug 31, 2024
Introduction: custom graphic design vs. templates
This blog helps readers understand the differences between custom graphic design and templates.
In the world of graphic design, two approaches stand out: There are two types of graphic design, namely custom graphic design and template graphic design. A custom graphic design service is a unique service where the graphic designer provides work that will suit clients’ specific needs and objectives. This approach does entail a good working relationship with the clients since one has to apprehend their brand, their values, and more to create a brand mark that will be unique to that of any other competitor. In contrast, graphic design templates involve the use of templates with a lot of flexibility since they can be modified to suit a certain need but are not as unique as custom design. In this article, we’re going to discuss the advantages of each approach that will allow you to make the correct choice.
Table of Contents
What is custom graphic design?
Custom graphic design is a process of graphically designing anything from logos to websites and promotional material to suit the specific needs as well as objectives of a particular client. In this approach, designers are required to study the overall image of the client and the values in addition to the target population to be able to come up with an appropriate image that suits the client. Custom graphic design involves both the designer and the client coming up with a design that will be unique from the rest of the market but will be able to portray the value of the business.
Custom graphic design: Benefits
Since custom graphic design entails developing an identity for your business from scratch, it delivers unique designs, thus giving your business an advantage over competitors, apart from communicating your goal and vision as a business. This enhances the brand recognition and memorability for the customers, hence increasing the conversion rates. Custom design also improves the overall professionalism with which the firm and its products are likely to be associated, all of which may be adjusted to different marketing tools and formats. In addition, it assists in delivering detailed information with the simplicity that makes the target audience emotionally connect with the visuals created for them. Custom graphic design is thus an investment that can be of great value to any business as it lays down the foundation for a business to be credible and therefore easily successful.
Custom graphic design: Dis-Advantages
The disadvantages of custom graphic design include:
- Compared to the graphic design templates, costs are high.
- It takes much time because very often it is necessary to make several revisions and receive additional feedback.
- This need to understand and recognize the vision of your product or brand is true.
- Not recommended for those smaller companies or startups with little cash to spend.
- May not be suitable as may be rigid if the design trends shift or the requirements of the brand alter.
- Some resources tend to be used in places where their utilization was not properly planned and this is attributed to issues such as scope creep or misunderstandings regarding the intended use of the resources.
- This may entail the need for additional costs in the future for a design overhaul or alteration.
What are graphic design templates?
Graphic design templates involve designing objects such as logos, brochures, Web sites, and others with the help of ready-made templates. These particular templates can be easily edited and the users can add practically anything, including text, pictures, and colors of their choice. The design templates make the service affordable and economical and save the time of the small business and even the individual. Although not as individualized as a custom design, using a template provides that professional appeal and can easily be found on the internet as long as one type that is preferred is chosen.
Graphic design templates: Benefits
One of the advantages of using graphic design templates is that they are pocket-friendly since they are more advisable and cheaper than traditional designing techniques because they can easily be customized. It is easy to use, and there are many templates available on the internet, which saves time as compared to designing manually, it gives a professional touch, and the designs are well polished. Template design is also very simple to operate and implements do not necessitate profound skills in design, and it also provides flexibility as they can be adjusted to suit the brand. Also, it is effective in terms of time because of the short time it takes to deliver the marketing messages and to implement the chosen templates, and wide in terms of choice because there is a large number of templates, which means this tool can be easily scaled for different types of materials.
Graphic design templates: Dis-Advantages
Disadvantages of graphic design templates include:
- Template graphic designs do not have any uniqueness, as they are used by various people.
- These designs are not compatible with every software; thus, not everyone can use them.
- They might affect the credibility of a company or an organization as it lacks originality.
- Templates cannot be customized as per the needs and requirements of the owner as they restrict flexibility.
- Poor quality of templates can dull the image of a brand or a company.
- As template graphic designs are not scalable, they cannot adapt to different sizes and formats.
Custom vs. template graphic design: which one to choose
If you want to decide between the custom vs template graphic design, then you will have to consider many things before the final selection.
custom graphic design: As custom graphic design offers a unique set of designs that resonate with the brand’s identity, they can be used to create targeted campaigns to attract audiences and deliver them a certain message. Customized designs help rebrand and they also give a competitive advantage. In short, whenever a brand wants to stand out in the market, they can go for custom graphic designs, as they build a unique identity for the brand.
Template graphic design: graphic design templates are more cost-effective than custom designs; hence, startups or businesses with low budgets can opt for them. These templates are also used for quick and short-term marketing as they minimize the designing process and deliver output faster. Companies that need repetitive content like newsletters or social media advertising can also go for the template graphic design.
Custom graphic design vs. templates: cost analysis
The cost difference between the custom graphic design vs templates varies significantly depending on certain factors, like:
Complexity of the design: The term complexity refers to the use of images, typography, colours, layouts, and other elements in a particular design. Custom graphic designs are more costly in contrast to the template because they incorporate more design elements.
Project completion time: Time is an essential factor that determines the cost of a design. As template graphic designs are easy and quick to use, they are cost-effective in comparison to custom graphic designs.
Graphic designer experience: Fresher or beginner graphic designers charge less as compared to the experts. Depending on the experience, they can charge hourly rates as well as value-based charges.
Used software: Paid software is more expensive than the free software. If the designer is using some specialized software to create designs, like Adobe Creative Cloud, then the overall invoice can be higher.
The overall cost of design also depends on the geographical location, rendering time, client’s budget, and deadline.
Conclusion
The difference between custom graphic design vs. templates is therefore relative to personal or business expectations and cost influence. Custom design is very specific and unique and provides high quality at a cost that is rather high in comparison with other options. Template design offers cheaper, faster, and easier ways of designing and creating websites, however, they are not as unique as other designs. Thus, the differences and factors affecting cost provide insight to enable decision-makers to make decisions that fit the specifications, needs, pockets, and objectives they hold. Depending on the level of customization needed or budget, a person may go for the specific method that is most effective in fulfilling the necessary function of delivering a message.
