Guide to Graphic Design

Outsource graphic design services to freelance graphic designers

Small businesses can save money by hiring freelance graphic designers instead of contracting with larger graphic design firms.

I recommend: On Guru.com, oDesk or FreelanceDesigners, you can post your job and have graphic designers bid on it, or you can search for freelance graphic designers based on their specialties.

Download design templates for brochure design and other collateral

If you need help creating a basic company newsletter or brochure design, stock templates are a good place to turn. Often, all you have to do is add your copy, logo and artwork.

I recommend: StockLayouts provides graphic design templates to help you design postcards, business cards, ads, business brochures, letterhead, newsletters and flyers. Print Design Templates also has a good variety of graphic design templates available for download.

Find graphic design firms that specialize in corporate identity and logo design

Before you open the door for business, you should have your logo design and business identity ironed out. Update your business identity or logo design when your company moves or merges, or just to keep your look fresh.

I recommend: Logo Design Pros helps you create or update your logo design. TheLogoLoft provides custom business identity solutions in three business days. For a number of graphic design firms that provide business logo design, check the Business.com directory.

Choose graphic design firms that specialize in brochure design and collateral materials

You can outsource small graphic design projects, such as your company's brochure design or marketing collateral materials and direct mail pieces, to graphic design firms that specialize in these types of print projects.

I recommend: Image Works Studio specializes in offering print brochure design and PDF brochures that your customers can download directly from your website. Envision Creative Group offers brochure design while staying within a small business budget. Find more graphic design services that provide brochure design at Business.com.

Quick print graphic design solutions

If you need a brochure or marketing piece fast, your best bet is to choose a quick printer that offers graphic design services on-site.

I recommend: Print-it-quick.com offers custom brochure design packages that include printing and delivery within 5-7 business days. Clark's Printing offers custom business brochure design and printing services with quick turnaround.