How To Make 2D Animation

Are you researching animation production options because you want to make a 2D animation? If so, you’re in the right place! Video Igniter’s guide to making 2D animations has answers to all your top questions, including:

How do I work with an animator to make a 2D animation?
What does it cost to make 2D animation?
How long does it take to make 2D animation?

All that and more coming up in this comprehensive guide – including tips to help you save $1,000 or more off the cost of making a 2D animation! But first, let’s take a look at examples of 2D animation you can make with Video Igniter:

2D Animation Examples

Video Igniter can make any kind of 2D or 3D animation for you. You can see some of our favorite example videos below. For additional production samples, check out our animation portfolio or request access to our demo reels and price sheet.

Are you looking to make a different type of 2D animation? Send us a message to let us know what kind of production sample you want to see and we will follow up with some relevant production examples.

How To Make A 2D Animation

Follow these steps to turn the idea in your head into a custom 2D animation:

1). Get Quotes

Spend some time looking for animation studios and freelancers that produce animations similar to the style you envision for your 2D animation. Take a look at each company’s animation portfolio and then send them a message to get a custom quote. When you request a quote to make an animated video, we recommend you share the following types of details:

Describe the 2D animation you want to make.
What is the length of the 2D animation you want to make?
How soon do you need the final draft?
What style of 2D animation do you want to make?
What do you want to show in your video?

We use this information to develop a quote and production timeline for your video. After you’ve reviewed all the quotes and animation portfolios, notify the animation company you want to work with. You will receive a production contract to sign and an invoice for the first 50% of your production budget.

2). Create The Script

Now that production is underway, our team will spend time learning what you want to communicate in your 2D animation. We’ll ask questions like:

What are your main talking points?
Who is your target audience?
What problems does your target audience face?
What do you want viewers to do when they’re done watching your 2D animation?

Armed with this information, our writers will make the first draft of the script for your 2D animation. You will receive a digital copy of the script to review with your team. Have everyone add their comments to the document. We’ll integrate your revisions and polish your script until it’s perfect.

3). Make The Storyboard

Next, we’ll make the storyboard for your 2D animation. The storyboard is the blueprint for your animation. It tells our illustrators and animators what to create when they make your 2D animation. Each page includes a sentence from your script, a rough sketch of the scene and a list of instructions that explain how elements will animate through each scene.

You will receive a digital copy of the storyboard to review with your team. Add your notes directly to the storyboard and we’ll integrate your revisions until you love the storyboard.

4). Record The VoiceOver

You will receive a handful of voiceover auditions to listen to. Let us know which is your favorite and we’ll hire that person to make the voiceover narration for your 2D animation. You get the opportunity to listen to the full narration and request edits (if needed).

5). Select Music

You will also receive a selection of soundtrack options for your video. Give them a listen and let us know which is your favorite. We’ll make sure to acquire the appropriate licenses so we can legally use the music when we make your 2D animation.

6). Create The Illustrations

Making illustrations for an animated video happens in two phases.

First, we make concept art for your 2D animation. Our art director will review your brand guidelines and any style references you provided. Then, the art director will select a few key scenes from your animation and develop custom concept art.

Share your honest feedback with the art director about your concept art. Now’s the time to make changes before we make all of the illustrations for your 2D animation. You have the opportunity to collaborate with the art director to revise and refine the visual details of the concept art until everything looks perfect.

After the concept art is approved, the art director oversees a team of illustrators to make the art for your 2D animation. You get an opportunity to review all of the illustrations and request edits before we make your 2D animation.

7). Make Your 2D Animation

Now that the script, storyboard, voiceover, soundtrack and illustrations are approved, it’s time to make your 2D animation. It takes about 1 week to animate each minute of video.

As soon as the first draft is ready, you will receive a link to download a copy of your 2D animation. Give it a detailed review with your internal team and members of your target audience. Collect everyone’s feedback and send it our way. We’ll integrate your edits and render out the final draft of your video.

What does it cost to make 2D animation?

The cost to make 2D animation ranges widely.

Some companies may only charge a few hundred dollars to make a 2D animation – but the quality is going to be really poor and could have a negative impact on your brand’s perception.

On the high end, shows like Family Guy and The Simpsons can cost over $100,000 to make each minute of video.

These are extreme edge cases. For most individuals, organizations and businesses that want to make an animated video, you can get a custom 60-second 2D video produced for $1,500-$7,500. Fancier forms of 2D animation that use the frame by frame hand drawn animation technique can run you between $10,000-$25,000 to make each minute of video.

Schedule a call or send us a message to get a custom quote.

How long does it take to make 2D animation?

If you want to make a short 2D animation, it takes about 4-8 weeks to complete the production process. Videos longer than 2 minutes will take additional time to make.

Need to speed up production to meet a deadline? Video Igniter offers rush delivery to help you make 2D animation fast.

Budget Saving Tips For 2D Animation

Combine these tips to save $1,000 or more off your production budget when you make a 2D animated video:

1). Make The Script For Your 2D Animation

If you make the script for your 2D animation, we will deduct $500 off the cost of each minute of video we make for you. Download our free script writing template for tips to get started.

2). Make The Storyboard For Your 2D Animation

You can save an additional $500 off the cost of each minute of video we make for you if you make the storyboard for your 2D animated video. Download our free 2D storyboard template and review the included storyboard creation guide for tips to help you get started.

3). Record The Narration For Your 2D Animation

Did you know it’s possible to record professional quality voiceovers at home for free? Watch 1:31 in this video to learn how. If you record the voiceover for your video, we’ll deduct voiceover production and licensing costs from your production budget.

4). Use Free Music

If you provide music we can legally use when we make your video, we can deduct music licensing costs from your production budget.

5). Start Production ASAP

The easiest thing you can do to save 10% or more off the cost of making your animated video is to start production as soon as possible. Rush delivery is available to help make your video faster – but rush delivery can add 10%-25% or more to your production budget. Do yourself a favor – to help minimize or avoid rush delivery costs in your production budget, send us a message or schedule a call to start discussing your video project with Video Igniter as soon as possible.

Resources To Help Make A 2D Animation

These resources are popular among people interested in learning how to make a 2D animation:

How To Hire & Work With A 2D Animation Studio

The Comprehensive Guide For Making A 2D Animation Video

How To Create A Video With 2D Animation And 3D Animation

Where To Find A 2D Animator For Hire

How To Work With A 2D Animation Company

Still have questions about making a 2D animation?

Do you have a question about how to make a 2D animation 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 Animated Video Company In The U.S.?

Video Igniter is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.

2D Animation 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.

“Couldn’t be happier with Derek and his team. The quality of the work for the cost far exceeded expectations and surpasses anything in the market. Derek was patient, offered many revisions, and was overall great to work with.”

Alex Novick – Founder, Sproutly.com

“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.