What Does 2D Animation Cost?
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Are you trying to figure out the 2D animation cost to make a custom animated video? If so, you’re in the right place!
In this guide, we explain what factors contribute to your 2D animation cost, how to figure out what it will cost to make your 2D animated video and tips to help keep your 2D animated video production cost low.
We also show some examples of what high cost, low cost and medium cost animations look like.
What does 2D animation cost?
TL;DR: $1,000-$25,000 per 60 seconds of animation.
That’s quite a wide range. Read on to understand what makes your video cost closer to $1k/min or $25k/min.
What contributes to the cost of a 2D animated video?
How detailed are the illustration?
The complexity of the illustrations in your animated video is one of the biggest determining factors of your 2D animation cost. The more detailed the illustrations are, the more time it will take to create quality custom visuals. This applies not only to the character design, it also applies to any objects in view and the background elements that make up the scene.
How much motion design is there?
The amount of motion detail also contributes to a higher or lower animation production cost.
A low cost way to make a character walk across screen would be to display a 2D image of a character and then tell the program to slide the character from left to right across the screen. It’s simple and conveys that the character is walking without having to spend all the time individually illustrating and animating the character’s arms, legs and head.
On the flip side, if you want to show realistic motion design, then the illustration team will need to create more images to show the natural movement of the character’s body and clothing as it walks across the screen.
Motion design extends beyond just character design. Your background can have moving elements (water, rain, snow, etc) and maybe even multiple characters or animals moving around simultaneously. The more detail you want to include, the more hours it takes our animation team to create.
How long is your 2D animation?
Kind of an obvious one but worth mentioning – the longer your animated video is, the longer your 2d animation cost will be. Many animation studios base their animation prices on the length of the video and the level of detail in the animation.
Are the character’s mouth’s synced to the voiceover?
This is a very specific motion design detail to call out. If your animated video includes characters that will be talking with their mouth’s synced up to the voiceover, it will increase your 2d animation cost. Syncing up mouth (and face) movements with your voiceover takes extra time to make the animation effect appear realistic.
How do I figure out my 2D animation cost?
So, how do you figure out the cost for your 2D animation? Here are a few options:
1). Use this form to get in touch with us about your 2D animation cost. Send us examples of the kind(s) of animated visual styles you’re interested in using for your video. Then, we’ll follow up with a quote for your 2D animated video.
2). Fill out this questionnaire to get a quote and we’ll follow up with a production quote for your video.
3). Schedule a call with our production team to discuss your animated video.
4). Request access to our newest price sheet.
5). You can estimate your 2D animation cost by looking at the 2D animation cost examples below. If you are providing the script, storyboard, voiceover or soundtrack for your video, your 2D animation cost can be lower than the animation costs listed next to each demo reel.
2D Animation Cost Examples
The easiest way to understand how production quality correlates to price is to look at examples of animated videos produced at various price points.
Below are a few demo reels that showcase what kind of quality you can expect for low, medium and high production budgets.
Video Igniter can create any kind of 2D or 3D animated video for you. Request access to our demo reels and price sheet here. Contact us or schedule a call to start making your video.
High End 2D Animation Examples
These demo reels feature examples of 2D animated videos that cost over $10,000 per 60 seconds of animation.
Medium Cost 2D Animation Examples
These demo reels show examples of 2D animated videos that cost between $3,000-$8,500 to create a one minute animated video.
Are you looking for an example of a different style of animation? Send us a message to let us know what kind of animation example you want to see and we will follow up with relevant production samples.
Low Cost 2D Animation Examples
This demo reel features examples of low cost 2D animations. >$2,500 to produce 60 seconds of animation.
Other costs associated with 2D animation
In addition to creating illustrations and animations for your 2D animated video, there are several other costs associated with animated video production. These pieces of the animated video production process can be handled by you or you can hire us to create them for you.
Script Writing
Script writing is the skeleton for your 2D animation. We start each project by developing a script so that we understand what we are going to communicate in your video.
For some projects, we will do extra research to test which message(s) resonate best with your target audience.
You can save money on your animation production cost by writing the script for your animated video.
Storyboard Creation
The storyboard is the blueprint for your animated video. It tells the illustrators and animators what they’re supposed to create and how the visuals will sync up with the voiceover.
Storyboards cost $300-$1,000 to produce. Alternately, you could make the storyboard yourself to save some money on your production budget. Download our storyboard creation template.
Soundtrack Licensing
We will identify several soundtrack options that will enhance the mood and presentation of your 2D animation. We’ll also ensure that the soundtrack is properly licensed for the platforms you plan to display your video on.
VoiceOver Recording
Our team will audition voiceover artists for your animated video. You get to pick your favorite option(s). Then, we’ll oversee the recording of the full voiceover.
If you want, you could record the voiceover yourself and send it to us to use in your 2D animation and get a slight reduction in your production cost.
Tips to save money on your 2D animation cost
1). Write the script for your 2D animated video. Download our free script writing template.
2). Create the storyboard for your 2D animated video to keep your production cost down. Download our free storyboard template and storyboard creation guide.
3). Use free, legal music in your animated video.
4). Use a simpler, less detailed visual style for your animated video.
5). Record the voiceover for your animated video. Check out 1:31 in this video to learn how you can record professional quality voiceovers at home for free.
6). Consider letting your animation team use some stock assets like images, icons, text and clip art to lower the illustration cost for your 2D animation.
Want to learn more about 2D animated videos?
We have a comprehensive guide that answers all the questions we receive about 2D animated videos. The guide answers popular questions like:
- How do you make a 2D animated video?
- How long does it take to make a 2D animated video?
- Why do businesses make 2D animated videos?
- And more!
Check out the 2D animated video guide here!
Still have questions about your 2D animation cost?
Do you have a question about your 2D animation cost that wasn’t addressed in this FAQ? Use this form to send us your question and we’ll follow up with an answer. We’ll also post the question and answer to this page so other people can benefit from the knowledge.
What is Video Igniter Animation?
Video Igniter Animation is an online animated video production service. By working with our team online, you can get your custom animated video produced faster and for less than hiring a brick and mortar animation studio.
We can help you create any kind of 2D animated video or 3D animation you can imagine. Check out our animated video portfolio!
Need help syndicating your animated video? Ask us about video promotion!
Do you want to create an animated cryptocurrency video or an animated blockchain explainer video that explains how your technology works? We can help with that too.
Watch our explainer video on our home page to learn more about how we can help you create an animated video. For examples of the kinds of animation our team can produce, check out the demo reel below:
Looking For An 2D Animation Company In The U.S.?
Video Igniter is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.
Success Stories & Testimonials
“Video Igniter came to us with a number of creative and engaging ideas and were able to create an exciting, impactful video in a short period of time. And the best part was that it cost much less than other options of similar quality. The video they made is a great marketing tool for us.”
Alex Raymond – Founder, Kapta Systems
“I am beyond satisfied with my experience with Video Igniter. The first drafts of the work were almost exactly what I had in my head when developing the concept. After that each step along the way was seamless until arriving at a perfect finished product. And all this at a tremendous value. Anyone who has considered creating a marketing video should check out Video Igniter.”
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Get in touch to figure out your 2D animation cost!
Schedule a call with our production team to discuss your animated video project.
Get a quote for your 2D animated video production cost.
Request access to our newest price sheet.
Fill out a creative brief for your video. Production begins after you pay 50% of your production budget.
