Outsourcing certain functions can provide businesses with an invaluable opportunity: the chance to save money and free up internal resources for more important tasks. Particularly when a company does not possess the exact, specialized skill set required because it is not the primary function of the business. It is more cost-effective and beneficial to recruit an external source for services than it is to waste resources on staff training or assigning non-core tasks.

For example, accounting firms will find outsourcing their marketing and graphic design needs helps them to tap into expertise to grow their business while keeping valuable internal resources focused on core competencies. They can tap into resources as needed, scaling up during peak season.

In Deloitte’s Global Outsourcing Survey, respondents were asked, “How does your organization perceive the benefits of outsourcing?” 65% said outsourcing helps them focus on core functions. 63% mentioned cost-cutting as a key benefit of outsourcing.

A study by Clutch found 37% of small businesses outsourced at least one business process. 34% outsourced digital marketing. 28% outsource development.

Studies after study have demonstrated the advantages of outsourcing, and more companies are starting to recognize its potential. Selecting the right tasks to outsource is as critical a decision as choosing to outsource.

Graphic design is one of the most important aspects of marketing a business and is often an under-resourced function in both large and small companies. This article will guide you in selecting the best way to outsource your graphic design needs, which design projects are suitable for delegating, and who could provide satisfactory results.

Benefits of outsourcing graphic design

Regardless of the size or sector of your business, outsourcing graphic design can expand your capabilities and improve marketing workflows and efficiency. Here are a few of the key benefits:

Maximize productivity

Hiring a full-time graphic designer doesn’t guarantee results by default. They might be a dedicated resource, but that doesn’t mean work will get done any faster or that they’ll have the range of expertise needed for every type of design project. Hiring a less skilled graphic designer will directly impact the quality and effectiveness of their output, resulting in lower ROI for your marketing efforts.

Outsourcing to a design agency or freelancers gives you direct access to a variety of skill sets and design styles, allowing you to rapidly resource and execute your projects.

Unlock a new point of view

You may be hesitating to outsource graphic design, wondering if an external designer can fully comprehend your brand, team culture and vision. This is understandable – visual design directly represents your business, and you want to ensure it is authentic and relevant. However, outsourcing to the right partner gives you a fresh perspective and a new way of solving challenges. Designers with experience working across different industries solving various challenges bring a holistic view and valuable insights that achieve better results and skilled proficiency that saves time and ultimately money – where internal teams are often not able to contribute at the same level and scale.

Access better tools and technology

Outsourcing graphic design also often means having access to better technology. Design agencies and freelancers have more direct access to the latest software, hardware, plug-ins, and other tools. This allows them to rapidly create high-quality designs that are optimized for different output types and platforms.

Experiment with rapid prototyping

A rapid prototyping approach allows businesses to quickly validate and test campaign ideas during the earliest stages of design. Outsourcing and supplementing your design resources allows you to manage workflows more efficiently and ultimately achieve better results. This is especially valuable for larger campaigns and initiatives requiring teams to simultaneously work on different project components simultaneously.

Save money

In the long run, outsourcing your graphic design needs can be cost-effective. Employing a full-time designer includes extra costs for recruitment, office space, equipment, and more; additionally, you’re locked into those commitments even if you don’t need them anymore. Outsourcing gives you the advantage of being able to adjust how much is outsourced depending on what’s needed – without any additional obligations.

A common misconception is that costs for outsourcing design can quickly add up with projects going off-budget. However, by establishing clear project briefs and working with experienced designers, you can remain in control of costs and ensure the best possible ROI for your investment. In many cases, outsourcing can save money if done correctly.

Outsourcing is more cost effective than employing someone full-time if your business only requires design work seasonally. Similarly, if you need design services on a consistent basis, outsourcing allows you to access a variety of skills without overhead costs.

How you can get started with outsourcing

The first step is determining which projects are suitable for outsourcing graphic design and exploring the best approach for finding a reliable partner.

Outsource tasks outside your core expertise

Focus your employees on running your business and providing the product or services that help you win clients and grow. Creative design work that is often needed for marketing, advertising and sales can seem very exciting and fun to work on with internal teams. However, if you prioritize activities outside your team’s core skill set, you risk ignoring necessary business processes and producing work inefficiently and with compromised results.

For instance, a business launching an advertising campaign will have internal stakeholders set goals and drive the strategy. Outsourcing to an experienced designer with the right tools can help launch your advertising campaigns faster and with greater precision than relying on internal teams with limited resources and design skills.

Be clear on your expectations

Before choosing an outsourcing partner, establish your overall outsourcing goals. For example, are you looking for quality design at the lowest price? Or quick turnarounds and a variety of choices? A particular type of design project requiring specific expertise?

This will help you make an informed decision and find the ideal outsourcing partner that meets your need, enabling you to make an informed decision.

Empower your partner with detailed briefs

To outsource design work successfully, make sure to define your business goals and develop detailed project briefs, so your outsourcing partner understands your requirements and vision.

A thorough brief substantially reduces the time needed to arrive at the final design. This means fewer design revisions and clearer communication between teams. Many freelancers will charge for additional revisions, so putting the time upfront to develop a detailed brief can also help to stay within the budget.

R1 Creative’s subscription plans include unlimited design revisions and a project management system to streamline workflows.

What type of design projects can you outsource?

Technically you can outsource any type of design project. Check out this list:

• Social posts. it’s essential for businesses to remain active on social media – don’t let your profile become stagnant because you’re struggling with content ideas. With graphics, you can create captivating posts that’ll engage and excite followers in no time!
• Advertising collateral: leverage the additional creative output to experiment with various versions of ads and guarantee maximum success.
• Illustrations: if you want to stand out, illustrations can be a great way to set your brand apart and appeal to different audiences. But not all designers are skilled in this area—it takes an experienced illustrator who knows the nuances of various styles and industries.
• UX/UI design: this is a specialized skill set that directly impacts how your customers interact with your business – exactly the kind of work you should outsource.
• Print design: you may discover templates online that are cost-effective and easy on time however, investing in custom services from an expert invariably yields superior results.

Where to outsource creative graphic design services?

Freelancers

Freelancers are a good option for specialized skills. You can find competent professionals with various design abilities on trusted platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr or Freelancer. However, it is often the most time-consuming choice, as it necessitates finding and thoroughly evaluating potential contractors.

Although freelancers can be a cost-effective alternative for short-term projects, they are not always the best choice in the long run. Working on a project-by-project basis can strain your budget and often comes with additional charges for any necessary revisions.

Since freelancers juggle multiple clients and priorities, you might experience occasional delays with project delivery.

Virtual Design Agency, like R1 Creative

A design agency is the most comprehensive outsourcing solution, and with its own management structure, it offers the highest level of accountability, professionalism, flexibility, and affordability.

With our monthly subscription plan, you pay a fixed monthly fee for all your design projects, from logos and branding, to website design and graphic design. Plans run at a fraction of the cost of larger agencies and are more cost-optimized than hiring in-house.

Ready to outsource your graphic design needs?

Check out our subscription page, pick your plan and start with our online design service today. Or if you still have questions, book a free consultation with our team today.