[Xysryc]

I have created a logo for a local company, but I do not know how to hand it over.

What file format should I use? I have created the logo in Adobe Illustrator.

I am planning to give an Illustrator version and a TIFF version to the company.

Are there any problems with that?

[ May 26, 2002: Message edited by: Xysryc ]

[Xysryc]

I will probably hand it over as an Illustrator EPS and TIFF. I think that is the best solution.

How much does a ordinary logo cost? I have no idea? How much do you guys take?

[Gort]

EPS should be all you need to do; typically there isn't any need to hand it over as a tiff. Since the logo's intended output is contingent on file size, it's likely that your tiff, being a rastar image, will not comply to the specs. Just give them an EPS file; they should be able to resize it however they please for output (well you can give them a tiff if you want).

[biggunn01]

you've got you awenser my friend- now go get that money btw can we see the logo?
wes

[Frog]

As for charging, I've copied and pasted my reply in Luna's post about charging from a few days ago:

Well there's two ways to price work:
a) By time/per piece

b) For usage

It's up to you how you want to do it, for time based costing work out how long you think it will take you, add 30-50% more time on top of that to account for corrections/amends and then charge an hourly or daily rate. Ballpark figure for artwork is around $300/day.

Usage is a more professional approach where you charge a fee for someone to lease the rights of an image off you. This is how most illustrators work (but not in-house freelance artists). Here you charge an appropriate fee for the work in itself and then consider the license/use. For something that is a one-off or a small run charge roughly the same as you would for time based costing. For something which is more widely distributed and/or will be used for a longer amount of time add more. For instance, if your work is being used for a national ad campaign you can realistically charge $10,000-$20,000 for a single image.

If the use needs to run longer than the original agreement you should be paid more. Never sign off the copyright (I'm sure you laready know this), it should always stay with you.

Hope that helps

For a logo, most professionals would charge quite a lot since it's such an important element to a company's image and it is to be used extensively and indefinetely. However it sounds like you're quite new to the commercial side so you can't realistically charge the same as established professionals would, so my advice is to do a costing based on time and double it to account for usage and then see if your client accepts that - it is actually a very good deal for them but they might not see it that way if they feel that your level of experience doesn't justify it.

In business every client will try to get the price down, and since most artists aren't great businessmen they will often succeed. The best thing to do is to quote high, and let them negotiate down, but not too far down Do not be afraid of losing the work by being too expensive - you may lose one or two jobs but cheap clients aren't worth having, they will drive you mad. You have a skill that they need and should pay for. Also, in every quote always add at least 30% for changes and amendments, because 99% of jobs will need them.

[ May 22, 2002: Message edited by: Frog ]

[Frog]

They presumably want it for print, the best format is an illustrator EPS (file, save as). You can also export it as a tif but EPS will clip to the shape of the logo (ie not have a square background) and is also resolution independent.

[Roh]

On, a side note: It also depends on the environment you are in. If for example you are from a small town and doing work for local businesses etc, then your cost must suit that place.

I live in Southern Alberta Canada, and I charge on average $15-20/hour.

I also have some set rates for other projects. I did recently a CD Cover + Insert and Back Total cost $300 (Was a very basic design.)

I'm now working on a new CD Cover design for another client and the price has gone up. Now I'm charging $500.

I know there are a lot of guys in the area that charge twice as much as I do, and they get the money.

On a second note: Sometimes it's good to charge less and get the clients, just to build a portfolio. There are a lot of places that want an extensive portfolio of real life work to rate you with.

[Xysryc]

Thanks for your help.

What color management should I use in ILLUSTRATOR?

I do not have any idea. I am living im Europe and the company wants to use the logo for everything of course: papers, visiting cards etc.

At the moment I am using Euroscale Coated v2 for CMYK and Adobe RGB (1998) fpr RGB. The document is in CMYK format.

When I changed the color management to this, the colors became darker.

When I export the document as TIFF in RGB now, the TIFF colors are correct afterwards, but if I use the CMYK option when I export it, the colors change.

What TIFF version should I give to the company and what color management should I use for my Illustrator and the EPS file?

I hope you understand my "problem".

[Frog]

I usually use no colour management whatsoever. It just seems to create problems, so I turn everything off. Your clients printers can deal with colour issues, you're best off just doing the creative work