How To Start Making Explainers: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you looking for an animator or a studio to help you produce some explainers but aren’t sure how or where to get started?

Luckily, you’re in the right place!

Video Igniter’s comprehensive guide to video explainers has answers to all your top questions, including:

What is the production process like to create explainers?
How much does it cost to create explainers?
How long does it take to make video explainers?

All that, plus tips to help you save $1,000 or more off your production budget!

But first, let’s take a look at examples of explainers that Video Igniter Animation can create for you:

Examples of Explainers

Video Igniter can create all kinds of 2D and 3D animation explainers for you. Some of our favorite explainers are displayed below. For additional production samples, check out our animation portfolio or request access to our demo reels and price sheet.

Are you looking for a different type of animation example? Send us a message to let us know what kind of production example you want to see and we will follow up with some relevant production samples.

What is the production process like to create explainers?

One of the best things you can do to ensure a smooth and successful production experience is to familiarize yourself with the way explainers are produced. This high level overview will help you understand how we take your idea and turn it into the final animation. This way, you’ll always know what’s coming up next and what details to be mindful of during every stage of production.

Step 1: Get A Quote

Send us a message, schedule a call or fill out this questionnaire to scope out your explainer project and get a production quote.

Once we agree to the project scope, timeline and budget, we’ll send you an invoice for 50% of your production budget.

Step 2: Write The Script

You will connect with our explainer video script writers to go over:

What you want to explain in your explainer video.
Who your target audience is.
What problems your audience faces.
What do you want your viewers to do when they’re done watching your explainers?

We’ll use this information to draft the script(s) for your explainers and send you a digital copy to review with your team. Add your revision notes to the doc and we’ll integrate the edits and polish your script until your team loves it.

Step 3: Create The Storyboard

Next, we turn your script(s) into a storyboard for your explainers. This way, we have a visual blueprint that explains exactly what we’re supposed to create and animate for every part of your script.

You will receive a digital copy of the storyboard to circulate with your team. Collect everyone’s revision notes and send them our way. We’ll revise your storyboard with you until you mark it as approved.

Step 4: Create The Illustrations

Our art director will develop multiple visual concepts for your explainers. Share your honest feedback with the art director to let them know which visual style you like best. You also have the option to collaborate with the art director to revise your favorite visual concept until it’s exactly the way you want it to look.

After the concept art is approved, our illustrators will create the rest of the illustrations for your explainers. You get an opportunity to review all of the illustrations and request revisions before we animate your explainers.

Step 5: Record The VoiceOver

You will receive multiple voiceover auditions to listen to. Let us know which one is your favorite and we’ll hire them to record the narration for your explainers.

We’ll send you the full recording to listen to and approve before we start animating. If needed, you can request that the voiceover artist rerecords certain parts of the narration.

Step 6: Select Music

You will also receive a selection of soundtracks to listen to. Let us know which is your favorite and we’ll acquire the appropriate license(s) to legally use the music in your explainers.

Step 7: Animate

Now that everything is approved, it’s time to animate your explainers! As soon as your videos are ready, you will receive a link to download them. Review the explainers with your team and collect everyone’s notes and edit requests. Send them our way and we’ll integrate your edits and apply the final polish to your explainers.

How much does it cost to create explainers?

Most explainers can be produced for $1,500-$5,500 for 60-seconds worth of animation. If you want to use fancy 2D animation (aka hand drawn animation), your budget will be closer to $7,500-$15,000 for 60-seconds of animation.

Want to use 3D animation to create your explainers? Expect your budget to start at $10,000 for 60-seconds worth of 3D animated explainer content.

How long does it take to make video explainers?

2D explainers can be produced in about 4-8 weeks. If we use traditional cel animation or 3D animation, it can take 2-3x more time to create your explainers.

Budget Saving Tips For Explainers

Combine these tips to save $1,000 or more off the cost of creating your explainers:

Write The Script

You can save $500 off the price of each minute of content we create for you if you provide the script for your explainers. Download our explainer video script template for help creating your scripts.

Find Free Music

We’re not suggesting you steal music to lower your budget. However, if you find free music that is listed as royalty free music, we can use that music in your video at no extra cost to you. This can also help you avoid paying extra for broadcast and commercial licenses which can easily add hundreds or thousands of dollars to your production budget.

Record The VoiceOver

VoiceOvers can be cheap to produce. However, if the voiceover is being used in a commercial project or a video that will be seen in paid broadcast media channels, you may need to pay extra for a commercial and or a broadcast license. These typically add up to a few hundred dollars.

If you decide to record the voiceover for your explainers, we don’t need to charge extra for voiceover licenses. Watch 1:31 in this video to see how you can record professional quality voiceovers at home for free.

Create The Storyboard

You can save an additional $500 off the cost of each minute of explainer video content we produce for you if you create the storyboard for your explainers. Download our free storyboard template and review the included storyboard creation guide for tips to help you get started.

Start Production ASAP

The easiest thing you can do to save $$$ on the production budget for your explainers is to begin production as soon as possible. Rush delivery is available if you need to speed up the production process. However, rush delivery can easily increase your production budget by 10%-50% or more! We recommend starting production as soon as possible to minimize or avoid paying extra for rush delivery. Do yourself a favor and send us a message or schedule a call to start discussing production options for your explainers with our team.

Bonus Resources For Explainers

These articles are popular among people researching explainers:

Explainer 101: Learn How To Make Explainer Videos

How To Make An Animation Video For Your Business

Still have questions about explainers?

Do you have a question about explainers 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.

Watch the demo reel below for examples of the kinds of animation our team can produce for you.

Looking For An Explainer Video Producer In The U.S.?

Video Igniter is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.

Explainer Video Success Stories & Testimonials

Don’t just take our word for it – these testimonials highlight Video Igniter’s reliability, creativity, flexibility and ability to deliver animations that exceed expectations. When you choose Video Igniter Animation, you can rest assured that you are working with a trusted and reputable studio.

“Video Igniter were very easy to work with and the entire process for creating and suggesting edits was seamless and stress-free. I would work with them again and would recommend to others looking to create a modern and stylish explainer video.”

Clair Simpson – VP Marketing, Repool.com

“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 making 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

Get in touch!

Schedule a call to discuss your animated video project.

Get a quote for us to create your animated video.

Request access to our newest price sheet.

Create your Video Igniter account, fill out a creative brief for your video and we’ll begin production as soon as we receive your production deposit.

Explainers | How To Make Educational Explainers