I was hoping some of you could share how you went about creating a logo and all the of the other visual merchandising for your business.

All my ducks are in a row: business plan done, forms filled out (money paid to go along with said forms), looking for space etc... I already have a logo that I have used infomally but feel it doesn't look professional enough.

How did you do this?

There are people who do it professionally. I think they are graphic designers

I am sorry I didn't make my self clearer. I know about graphic designers and also know how much they can charge. I was hoping someone had ideas for a better option.

You could use photo editing software to fix up your logo. I use paint shop pro and you can create some pretty good-looking graphics with it.

Two words.............Vista Print..............they are awesome! Great quality for a great price and quick shipping!

If you're interested in a professional job for less, you might try going to a local school with a graphic arts program and seeing if you could hire a student. Most of them will work fairly cheap so they can have something in their resume when they graduate.

They also have people on ebay. I know there is one right now that is only $20 for your custom designed logo. I think they are just trying to earn a few extra bucks on the side. and the feedback is almost perfect, like 99.8%

Thank you so much for all of your suggestions! Exactly what I was looking for!

I had used Vista Print for business cards in the past for my "real" job but had not looked at their other products. I will definitely be looking into all of your suggestions in the coming week. Again thanks a bunch!!

There's also a site called Zazzle that you can have your designs put onto all kinds of things, or you can choose from lots of different designs that other people have created. Good luck

If you want more help with your logo, you may be able to find an affordable graphic designer on etsy.com. It's a great site that brings "hand made" artists and shop owners together.

I got my logo made by a guy on ebay!

Logoworks... expensive though...but finally came up with an excellent product. I can refer you to a graphic designer who also did some work for me if you'd like. I dont know her ... did everything via email... but her work was good and prices were reasonable.

Hi just a quick reply of something to watch out for really... I did my business cards through vista print, found a great template that worked well, price was really reasonable too but since I have started working on my website I have found a cake maker and decorator in my area with the same business cards and a matching website! Couldn't believe my luck, I had looked through all the cakers I knew of in my area when I was choosing my buiness name and had not come accross this website, so assume it must have been new, but still have had to change my cards and designs. Its just something to bear in mind as vista print is a huge company!

Anna

I am a graphic designer, but don't really have time for it. Well I do it's my 9-5 job, but because of that I don't freelance in that area.
I love baking and making flowers more, but in El Salvador where I am from I have like a dozen of friends, that would do the job for almost nothing, compare to what we pay here in the States.
If you want, I can contact you with them. I would be the contact person. And since I have a college degree in Graphic Design. I would supervise the job.

I got all my stuff printed at www.uprinting.com, They have very good prices and excellent quality.

Just send me a private message if you are interested, and tell me what you need.