How Much Does Brand Identity Design Cost in the UK? A 2026 Guide

If you’re thinking about getting a brand identity designed, the cost is usually the first thing on your mind. Most stuff online dances around giving real numbers. This post doesn’t.

Brand identity pricing in the UK varies a lot, but once you get what’s involved in the work, the prices make sense – especially when you compare small independent studios to big agencies.

Typical Brand Identity Costs in the UK for 2026

For startups and small to medium businesses, costs usually fall into these ranges:

£500 – £1,500 This is mostly logo-only jobs. Little strategy, not much research, and hardly any thought about how the brand works in real life across websites, social, or print. Fine for quick fixes or very early startups, but not built for long-term growth.

£2,000 – £5,000 This is where most good independent branding studios like mine sit. You get proper strategic thinking, a thoughtful visual identity, practical brand guidelines, and stuff that actually helps your business. No big agency overheads, so better value for most folks.

£6,000 – £15,000+ Big agency level. Deep research, workshops, sometimes naming or messaging from scratch, and loads of extras. Great for complicated setups or bigger companies, but often overkill (and overpriced) for smaller businesses that just need clarity and something solid.

What Affects the Cost of a Brand Identity?

Pricing isn’t just about making a logo look pretty. It comes down to:

• Depth of strategy and research – the thinking that makes sure your brand fits your business and stands out.

• Size and complexity of your business – a simple startup needs less than a company with loads of products or teams.

• How many people are deciding things – more back-and-forth means more time.

• What you actually get – logo, colours, fonts, guidelines, social templates, etc.

• Experience of the designer or studio – someone who’s done this for years charges more because they spot problems early and deliver better results.

If your positioning isn’t clear yet, sorting that out takes time – and that thinking has to happen somewhere. Skimp on it, and you pay later.

Why Cheap Branding Usually Costs More in the End

The biggest mistake I see is treating branding like decoration. A cheap logo might seem like a bargain, but it often leads to:

• Mixed-up messaging that confuses customers

• Low trust because it looks amateur

• Inconsistent look across everything

• Needing a proper rebrand in 12-24 months

Rushing it or going too cheap rarely saves cash. It just pushes the real cost down the road and causes headaches in marketing and sales.

What a Proper Brand Identity Should Include

At the bare minimum, a professional brand identity should give you:

• Clear positioning and direction for your business

• A logo that works everywhere – digital, print, big or small

• A flexible visual system (not just random colours and fonts)

• Guidelines that are simple and easy to follow yourself

• Basic assets like social templates or business cards

If a quote is only talking about a logo and nothing else, it’s worth asking what problem it’s really solving. A logo on its own is like buying a steering wheel without the rest of the car.

Is Brand Identity Design Worth the Investment?

Yes, if you want to:

• Look proper and credible from the start

• Pull in better customers who fit your business

• Charge what you’re worth without feeling dodgy

• Communicate what you do without explaining all the time

• Grow easier because your brand does some of the heavy lifting

Good branding cuts out friction. When everything makes sense and feels right, sales, marketing, even hiring gets simpler.

In my view, spending a bit more upfront on strategy-led work from someone independent saves you grief later. Big agencies are flashy, but for most UK businesses, a focused studio gets you further without the huge bill.

Final Thought

Good branding isn’t chasing trends or fancy visuals. It’s about clarity and making your business easier to run and grow. Whether you go with a small independent studio or a bigger agency, the aim is the same: a brand that works hard for you.

If you’re not sure what investment level fits your business right now, a quick chat usually sorts it out. I’m always up for talking through options with no pressure.

Ready to see what a brand identity could cost for you? Drop me a message.

Get in Touch →

Let’s build something that cuts through the noise.