Affordable Animation – How to Lower Your Production Costs

Are you looking for affordable animation options? Or ways to make your animation production budget more affordable? This article includes our top tips to help you make your animated video project more affordable!

Examples of Affordable Animation Videos You Can Get From Video Igniter

Video Igniter can create any kind of 2D or 3D animated video for you. Check out our animation portfolio here. Request access to our demo reels and price sheet here.

Contact us or schedule a call to start making your 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.

 

Tip #1: Write your script

Writing the script for your animated video can help you save hundreds or thousands of dollars off the cost of your animated video. It’s one of the biggest impacts you can have to make your animation budget more affordable.

You don’t need to be a professional writer to get the benefits. If you provide the first rough draft of your script and hire your video animator to polish it up and make it production-ready, it’s still going to be cheaper and faster than hiring them to create it from scratch.

Resources to help you write the script for your animated video

Download our free scriptwriting template.

Examples of explainer video scripts and how to write a script.

How to write an animated video script?

7 tips to supercharge your video script writing.

Tip #2: Make your storyboard

Storyboards can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars to create. If you’re able to explain what kind of visuals you want to show for each sentence of your animated video, we recommend creating the storyboard yourself to help you save money on your production budget. Luckily, you don’t need to be an artist to create a storyboard! It’s possible to create a storyboard using simple stick-figure sketches or making a collage out of free images you find online.

Here’s a diagram that shows what content you should include on each page of your storyboard:

Storyboard Creation Resources:

What is a storyboard and why do you need one?

How to create a storyboard for an animated video?

Download our free storyboard template.

Tip #3: Use a simpler animation style

Sometimes the answer you’re looking for is a simpler visual style. If you don’t have the budget to create high end designs, consider developing a simpler visual style with your production team. This will make it less expensive for the illustrators to create all the art and the animation team won’t have to spend as many days/weeks working on intricate animated sequences.

Tip #4: Be specific with your instructions

Poor instructions in your script or storyboard can lead to the animated video production company making something that you didn’t intend for them to create. To avoid expensive rework, use clear language to explain what you want. Over explain if necessary. Feel free to include images, 3D models and video links as references to help explain specific details.

Tip #5: Use text animations

In order to reduce your production budget, consider making a big portion of your animated video comprised of animated text that animates into view, stays on screen for a few seconds and then animates out of view. This type of animation costs less to produce than scenes with custom animated characters walking around. The more of your video that’s made up of text animations, the lower your production budget will be.

Tip #6: Create an animated slide deck

An alternative to making a custom animated video is creating an animated slide deck. You can lay out scenes in apps like PowerPoint, Slides and Keynote. Then, use the built in animation tools to make the elements of your scenes (slides) move or fade in and out of view.

Tip #7: Use stock assets to make animation more affordable

Most animated video production companies specialize in creating custom animated videos. But that doesn’t mean that everything in your animated video needs to be custom made. To help save money on your production budget, consider using stock assets instead of making everything from scratch. Stock assets are pre-created assets that can be used as-is or modified and included in your video. Stock assets can sometimes help save money on your production budget because it can be cheaper to buy a pre-created asset and modify it slightly compared to the cost of having your animation team create it from scratch. Examples of stock assets include:

• Icons
• Clip Art / Stock Vector Art
• Stock Images
• Stock Videos
• Text
• 3D Models

Buying a 3D model can make your animation more affordable because it costs less to buy the model than it would to hire someone to create it from scratch.

Tip #8: Make a shorter video

Ok this one may seem obvious but if you think you need a 60 second video but don’t have the budget, consider making a shorter 30 or 45 second animated video. Use concise writing and look for ways to combine ideas to present them in less time. The shorter your animated video, the more affordable your animation will be.

Tip #9: Use an online animated video maker

There are several types of online animated video makers you can use to make animated animated videos. Some, like Video Igniter are designed to make it faster, easier and less expensive to make custom animated videos. The other type of online animated video maker provides a library of pre-created characters, scenes and objects which you can use to create your own animated videos. Vyond, PowToon and Wideo are currently the leaders in the create-your-own-animated-video-online space.

Tip #10: Record your voiceover

Would you believe us if we told you it’s possible to record your own professional sounding voiceover at home or in the office for free?

No need to buy any expensive equipment or professional software.

Recording and providing your voiceover can save you $50-$300 for each minute of video that’s being created.

Want to know how to do it? Check out 1:31 in the video on this page to learn how to record your own pro quality voiceover.

Tip #11: Start Production As Soon As Possible

If your project has a short deadline, we recommend starting production as soon as possible. Rush delivery production schedules can increase your video’s production budget by 25%-50% or more depending on how soon your deadline is and how complex your animation is. You can avoid rush delivery production costs by starting production weeks or months ahead of your deadline.

Tip #12: Use Free Music

Believe it or not, there are some places online that offer free music you can use in your animated video. Facebook’s Sound Collection has a sizable library of free audio you can use in your animated promotional videos. There’s another site called Incompetech that allows anyone to use their music for free as long as they provide a credit to the artist.

Tip #13: Negotiate more affordable animation production terms with your production team

Trying to shave a little more off your production budget? You can try negotiating with your production team to see if they will offer an additional discount for any of the following production terms:

• Limiting edits to 1-2 rounds of revisions per asset instead of the normal 2-3… (FYI – Video Igniter offers unlimited revisions!)
• Tell them you’re open to a slow production schedule, fitting your project in between their clients that pay full price whenever bandwidth is available.
• Adding a credit to the animation studio at the end of the video.
• Tell them you’ll provide the script, storyboard, voiceover, free soundtrack & they’re allowed to use stock assets if it will help reduce the production cost.

Why Affordable Animation Matters for Businesses

Affordable animation isn’t just about cutting costs—it’s about maximizing value. Small businesses, startups, and nonprofits often hesitate to create videos because they assume high-quality animation is out of reach. But with today’s tools and production strategies, you can achieve professional, polished results without breaking your budget. Affordable animation allows you to compete with bigger brands, build credibility, and communicate your message in a memorable way—all while keeping marketing costs under control.

The ROI of Affordable Animation

Investing in affordable animation can generate a strong return on investment (ROI). Animated videos improve viewer engagement, boost website dwell time, and increase conversion rates on landing pages. Even if you produce a lower-cost video, you can still see measurable gains in:

• Brand awareness – Animations are shareable and eye-catching.
• Lead generation – Explainer videos clarify complex products quickly, helping prospects understand faster.
• Sales conversions – Adding an animated video to your sales page can improve conversion rates by 20–80%.
• Training efficiency – Affordable animated tutorials reduce the need for live training, saving long-term costs.

The key is to balance affordability with clarity and creativity. Even a simple animated video can have a big impact if the message is strong.

Common Misconceptions About Affordable Animation

Many people assume that “affordable” means low-quality—but that’s not the case. Affordable animation often means smarter production choices, not compromising on quality. For example:

• Using a minimalist design style can look intentional and modern while saving money.
• Repurposing existing artwork or brand assets cuts costs without reducing polish.
• Strategic use of text, icons, and transitions can feel professional while being budget-friendly.

The real difference is knowing where to spend and where to save. With the right production plan, affordable animation can look just as polished as higher-cost projects.

Affordable Animation for Different Industries

Affordable animation can serve multiple industries in unique ways:

• Healthcare – Simplify medical processes with easy-to-understand animated explainers.
• Education – Create cost-effective animated lessons that improve knowledge retention.
• Finance – Explain complex products like insurance or investments with simple animated graphics.
• E-commerce – Highlight product features with short, affordable product animations.
• Nonprofits – Use storytelling animation to inspire donations and awareness without overspending.

By tailoring your approach to your industry, you can achieve maximum impact on a reasonable budget.

Affordable Animation vs. Live Action Video

When businesses consider video production, they often debate between live action and animation. Live action requires cameras, actors, sets, and locations—all of which can quickly inflate costs. Affordable animation, on the other hand, eliminates those expenses. You don’t need to rent a studio or hire actors; everything can be created digitally. Plus, animation has the flexibility to represent abstract concepts that live action can’t easily capture. This makes it a powerful and affordable choice for startups and businesses with lean budgets.

Repurposing Affordable Animation for Multiple Platforms

One of the best ways to maximize your budget is to repurpose affordable animation content across multiple channels. For example:

• Break a longer animated explainer into short animated social media posts.
• Adapt your main video into GIFs for email campaigns.
• Pull still frames or illustrations from your video to use as blog graphics.
• Localize your animation with translated voiceovers or captions to reach international markets.

By reusing content in smart ways, a single affordable animation can serve your brand across months—or even years—of marketing.

DIY vs. Professional Affordable Animation

If you’re weighing whether to create your own animation or hire professionals, here’s a quick breakdown:

DIY Tools (like Powtoon, Vyond, Canva):

• Pros: Extremely cost-effective, fast turnaround, easy to use.
• Cons: Limited customization, generic look, less brand differentiation.

Professional Affordable Animation Studios (like Video Igniter):

• Pros: Custom designs, scalable options, higher polish, tailored to your brand.
• Cons: Slightly higher upfront cost, but often better ROI in terms of engagement and conversions.

The choice depends on your budget and your goals. For serious marketing campaigns, a professional approach often pays off.

How to Budget for Affordable Animation

When planning your project, it’s important to set realistic expectations. Here are some budgeting tips:

1. Define your core goal – Is it brand awareness, lead generation, or training?
2. Set a maximum budget – Know what you’re willing to spend before approaching studios.
3. Prioritize essentials – Script, storyboard, and voiceover matter more than flashy effects.
4. Plan ahead – Avoid last-minute projects, which can incur rush delivery animation fees.
5. Consider ongoing use – Think about how your video can serve you beyond the first campaign.

Budgeting carefully ensures your animation remains both affordable and effective.

Trends in Affordable Animation

Animation technology continues to evolve, making affordable options even more accessible. Current trends include:

• AI-assisted animation tools that reduce manual labor.
• Template-based motion graphics for fast, budget-friendly production.
• 2.5D animation (adding depth to 2D images) for a cinematic feel at a lower cost.
• Looping animations that can be reused across multiple platforms.

By keeping up with these trends, you can create modern, engaging animations without overspending.

Final Thoughts on Affordable Animation

Affordable animation isn’t about cutting corners—it’s about being strategic with your resources. By planning ahead, using the right tools, and partnering with the right team, you can create animations that look professional, deliver results, and fit within your budget. Whether you’re a small business owner, marketer, or startup founder, affordable animation gives you the ability to tell your story visually without draining your resources.

Questions about affordable animation for your project?

Do you have a question about making your animated video as affordable as possible to produce? Contact us with details about your project and expectations and we’ll follow up to figure out how we can collaborate within the constraints of your project and budget.

What is Video Igniter Animation?

Video Igniter offers animation production services online. Video Igniter modernizes the experience of creating a custom animated video to help you save on cost, and create custom content faster.

We streamline the complex process of making a custom animated video and do all the work for you. All you need to do is tell us what you want us to create and then respond to the assets (script, storyboard, voiceover, soundtrack, art and animation) when the Video Igniter app notifies you it’s time to review part of the video we create for you.

Hire Video Igniter to Create Your Animated Video

World class design talent at prices startups can afford.

Check out our animation portfolio – we can make any kind of 2D animation or 3D animated video you can imagine.

+20 reasons companies love hiring us to create animated videos.

Affordable Animation Demo Reel

 

Affordable Animation Success Stories & Testimonials

“I run a video production company and outsource animation. The team at Video Igniter did a great job in taking the concept I very crudely drew out and made it into a beautiful animation. The review process was easy and their turnaround time was very quick. I’d def recommend them if you’re looking for an animation project.”

Pat Henderson – Founder, Path8 Productions

“Video Igniter offered us the critical combination of creative value, clear communication, and patience with stakeholder feedback. We ended up with truly high-quality design assets for our video series largely due to the extra level of commitment — and the right balance of efficiencies with flexibility in the process when called for.”

Larry Schlessinger – Sr. Creative Program Manager, Amazon Web Services

“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

“My whole family and everyone on Facebook thinks you are amazing. My whole office is freaking out.”

Patricia Shields – Real Estate Agent

“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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