Start with the business problem
Businesses often compare graphic design suppliers on hourly rate or project price, but the bigger difference is usually workflow. A one-off brochure project has different requirements from a monthly stream of campaign, social and sales assets.
A retainer makes more sense when the business has predictable recurring design demand. A project model is often cleaner for a defined brochure, campaign or launch with a clear end point.
Compare proposals on the same questions
| Compare | Ask before signing |
|---|---|
| Pricing model | Is work priced per project, by time or through a retainer? |
| Deliverables | Which exact sizes, formats and variations are included? |
| Revisions | How many rounds are covered before extra fees apply? |
| Turnaround | What is the normal lead time and rush-work policy? |
| Source files | Will editable files be provided where agreed? |
| Ownership | What usage rights apply to the final assets? |
Ask who is responsible for implementation
Before commissioning work, create a deliverables list that names every asset, size, language or version. This prevents one 'campaign design' from turning into dozens of unpriced adaptations after approval.
Do not assume a strategy, audit or setup line automatically includes every practical change needed to make it live. Put dependencies and internal responsibilities into the proposal.
Agree how success will be measured
Design quality should be judged against the purpose of the asset: clarity, brand consistency, readability, production accuracy and whether the format works in the channel where it will be used.
Decide the reporting model before delivery so both sides know which numbers are useful and which are merely diagnostic.
Protect ownership and handover
Keep appropriate business ownership of platforms, data and core accounts. Document administrator access, exports and what happens if the supplier relationship ends.
Ask for proof that matches the work
Ask for examples of complete campaign systems showing how one creative idea was adapted across several real formats.
Where client information is confidential, a supplier can still demonstrate process quality through redacted documents, owned properties or implementation evidence without inventing outcomes.
Watch for this red flag
How Kydos fits into the comparison
Kydos publishes Graphic Design from £500 per project for brochures, posters and marketing collateral. Logo-only and complete-branding work are custom quoted separately.
Already comparing providers?
Use Kydos' published services as another benchmark before you sign.
View Kydos pricingFrequently asked questions
How should I compare graphic design providers?
Use the same brief and compare deliverables, implementation responsibility, ownership, support, exclusions and the business outcome the work should improve.
Should I choose the cheapest provider?
Not automatically. Compare missing implementation, software, support and handover costs before deciding.
What should be agreed before work starts?
Agree the objective, responsibilities, access, approvals, deliverables, timeline, measurement and extra-charge triggers.
What is a warning sign?
The quote uses a vague term such as 'campaign graphics' without stating how many assets, sizes or revision rounds are included.
What proof should I request?
Ask for examples of complete campaign systems showing how one creative idea was adapted across several real formats.
How does Kydos fit?
Kydos publishes Graphic Design from £500 per project for brochures, posters and marketing collateral. Logo-only and complete-branding work are custom quoted separately.