"How many proposals will I get?" and "how many changes can I ask for?" are two of the most common questions before ordering a logo. There is no single answer, but there are benchmarks for comparing offers and for making good use of what's included.
Starting proposals: one route or several?
Two approaches exist. The first presents a single route, developed from a detailed brief: it assumes a good exchange beforehand. The second offers several routes to start with, more or less developed, so that the client reacts and chooses a direction. Neither is better in itself: it depends on the time given to each route and on how clear the brief is.
Revisions: what are we talking about?
A revision is an adjustment to an existing proposal: a colour, a proportion, a typeface, a detail of the drawing. Starting again in a completely different direction, or changing the brief along the way, isn't a revision: it is a new proposal, often charged separately.
How many to plan for?
The number included varies from one supplier and package to another: it is often between two and three rounds, but it can be higher in complete offers. The key is to read it in the quote, and to know what extra adjustments cost. For an overview of the packages, see the Pricing page.
How to make good use of your revisions
- Group your feedback in a single message, so the designer can handle it together.
- Argue it against the brief: "I find it too serious, when our clientele is families" helps more than "I don't like it".
- Say what works, not only what doesn't, so the adjustment doesn't wreck the rest.
- Avoid rounds about taste: ask a few customers rather than multiplying variants. See how to test a logo before approving it.
When to ask for more than planned
If your brief has changed, if the business is shifting or if you want to explore a very different direction, it is more honest to say so clearly and agree an extra than to use up your revisions on a misunderstanding. A solid brief beforehand avoids most of these cases: see how to prepare your brief before ordering a logo (in French) and working with a freelance designer, step by step (in French).
Frequently asked questions about proposals and revisions
Is a revision the same as a new proposal?
No. A revision adjusts an existing proposal (colours, proportions, typeface). Starting from a different direction is more like a new proposal, often charged separately.
What happens if the included revisions are used up?
Additional adjustments are generally charged under the terms of the quote. Hence the value of reading this point carefully before ordering.
More questions about logo design
What Is the Difference Between a Graphic Designer, a Designer and an Art Director?
The graphic designer creates visual materials, the designer has a wider scope, the art director leads the visual direction. Read the article →
How Do You Compare Several Logo Design Quotes?
Compare quotes line by line (deliverables, revisions, rights, files, deadlines, payment) rather than on price alone. Read the article →
What Should You Do If the Logo You Received Doesn't Suit You?
Name exactly what bothers you, compare with the brief, use your revisions, then look at the remedies if the disagreement persists. Read the article →
Should You Entrust Your Logo to a Friend or a Professional?
A friend can suit you if they have the method and the right files, and if a written framework protects the rights and the relationship. Read the article →
What Common Mistakes Should Be Avoided When Creating a Logo?
The most frequent mistakes: unnecessary complexity, lack of originality, poor readability at small sizes, and no vector files. Read the article →
What File Formats Should I Request for a Logo So I Can Use It Across Different Materials?
A professional logo should be delivered as a vector file (SVG, PDF, EPS) for print, plus PNG and JPG exports for the web. Read the article →
How Can a Logo Strengthen a Small Business's Brand Image?
A good logo gives a small business instant credibility and consistency across all its materials, often before the first customer contact. Read the article →
See all questions about logo design →
My take as a designer
The number of revisions often worries people more than it should. When the brief is good and the feedback precise, a logo is settled in a few rounds; when the brief is vague, no number of revisions is enough.
What prevents endless revisions isn't a high number: it is a clear brief at the start.
To sum up
The number of routes and revisions varies by offer, with often two to three rounds of revisions included.
A revision adjusts a proposal; changing direction or brief is a new proposal.
Group and argue your feedback, and read in the quote what is included and what is charged extra.
