How Much Does An Animation Cost Per Minute? 

Animation is the best way to attract and convert potential customers as it communicates the message in a fun and simpler manner. So, it’s a good idea to invest in an animated video for your brand marketing strategy. 

Though, the first thing that’ll strike your mind is what will be the cost of 2D animation per minute? This is quite a relevant question when it comes to making a video for your brand or company as you also have to take into consideration the business’ finances while spending in the right direction. 

If a marketer or brand is new to the video marketing industry, they may not be aware of the key factors that play a huge role in determining animation production costs. 

There may be too many questions popping up in your mind. Don’t worry! This post has got you covered, and by the end of this you’ll know how much does an animation cost per minute, the factors that determine it, the different vendors, and much more!

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Key Factors That Determine The Cost of Animation 

There are various factors that influence the pricing of an animated video. So, there’s no single fixed price for all types and durations of animation. Usually, the 2D animation rates depend on the following factors:

• Length of the video - It's obvious that a 30-second video will cost less than a 3-minute animated video

• Style of animation - 2D animation, explainer videos, motion graphics, and whiteboard videos are more streamlined than other types of animation. Therefore, these are cheaper than 3D animation

• Production Timeline - Many explainer video production companies decide their cost of animation based on the time frame demanded by their clients. The shorter the production time, the costlier the video will be 

• Customization - An animated video created by using different pre-made templates won’t cost as much as the one crafted from scratch and designed as per the client’s requirements. Also, the results will differ out of both. 

• The location of the video production studio also largely affects the price of animation as production companies located in countries with higher wages will be expensive. 

• Production team/crew - An experienced and talented production team of animators and designers will definitely charge higher than an amateur or beginner in the animation industry

Let’s Talk About The Cost of Animation Per Minute 

Considering the factors that we just talked about, it isn’t surprising that the cost of 2D animation per minute may differ in different situations. Moreover, the quality of different videos differ according to their price and the team behind them. 

Let’s take a look at the different types of animation studios or creators, and what you can expect from them in terms of cost.

1. Free Tools/Beginner Animators - The price range between $0-$100 per minute

Yes, it’s possible to create decent animation absolutely free of cost. There are a variety of online software and tools that allow you to craft good-quality animated videos on your own with little or no subscription plan. 

Having said that, you must know that if you save money through this, you still have to put in your effort and time. Plus, the result might not be excellent. 

Affordable animation tools offer limited features and capabilities and usually work out of a bunch of readymade templates, filters and effects. As the saying goes, ‘You get what you pay for’. 

2. Freelancers - The price range between $50- $3000 per minute

As you can see, the price range under this category is quite vast. This is because there are different kinds of artists and animators available at both ends of it. 

You’ll find freelancer beginners having less experience and fundamental animation skills. Whereas at the highest peak of the spectrum, you’ll meet expert professionals who’re capable of delivering high-quality and custom-made video.

Regardless of the animation cost, it’s important to note that freelancers have to tackle all the production phases on their own or usually provide a limited number of services. So, it’s quite possible that few aspects of the video might get neglected than others or you may have to look for other animators to finish your animated video. 

3. Mid-level Animation Production Agency - The price ranges between $3000-$10000 per minute

Such animation studios can be easily found by searching online marketplaces. These are small video production companies consisting 2-3 professionals. 

The team is usually highly-experienced and capable of crafting a professional custom-made animated video, but due to less staff they aren’t able to work on multiple projects at the same time. So, you might have to wait if you wish them to create a video for you!

Additionally, some of these companies will outsource the services they don’t offer, whereas others might ask you to handle that on your own. 

4. Professional-level Animation Studio - The price ranges between $10000-$50000 per minute

Video production agencies at this level generally comprise an expert crew of scriptwriters, animators, designers, illustrators and video editors, along with an account manager responsible for keeping the client involved in the project. There are various teams that manage the workflow, schedule and the customization of every single aspect of the animation project. 

Such companies ask the client to take important decisions such as approving the script, selecting the voiceover artist as well as giving the feedback about the video. At this point, you can ask them to make any changes you want in your animated video. 

5. Broadcast-level Animation Studio - The animation production costs between $50000-$100000 per minute 

Such animation production agencies mainly produce premium-quality 2D, 3D and stop-motion animated videos. The quality of their animation is similar to that of animated films. 

The quality that they offer is quite admirable, however their high quotes make it a little unsuitable for most companies, apart from multinational enterprises that want to create long-form animated videos like movies or series. 

Throwing Some Light on the Cost of Animation Per Minute & The Quality In Video Marketing 

As you are aware, animation production costs are directly proportional to the quality of the final video. A low-priced animated video will also lack in terms of quality, attention to detail, and even customization. 

If you opt for a too simple & a low-quality video, it won’t generate enough revenue as a customized animated video created as per your brand’s goals and target audience. You might even end up losing the money you invested! After all, it’s not about what you’re trying to sell, but how you intend to sell it. 

A generic and poor quality video will fail to impress your audience about your product or service. I would say it’s wiser to spend some extra money on creating a top-notch animated video that generates conversions than spending little money and earning no revenue out of it. 

Wrapping Up

Now that you know from this article, that a low-cost animated video need not necessarily be a quality video. However, animation studios that are expensive may also not always create the perfect video for your brand. It all depends on various factors that must be considered before starting a project. 

The most effective way is to go for a whiteboard animation video production company that offers a guarantee of good-quality video along with a quote that aligns with your budget. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

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1. Why is animation production expensive?

Animation entails quite a complicated production process. A lot of experienced & trained professionals are involved in the production team, such as animators, graphic designers, illustrators, scriptwriters, voiceover artists, etc, along with high-quality whiteboard animation software, and all these factors majorly impact the cost of animation. 

The technical skills and knowledge required for creating an animation make it a more expensive process than shooting a live-action video which involves actors, camera and other equipment. 

In a nutshell, 2D animation is the most cost-effective approach in the video marketing landscape. 

2. What is the cost of 2D animation per minute?

A custom-made 2D animated video will cost around $7000 - $20000 per minute.  

Though, there are other much cheaper options also available, but you must remember that you’ll get a quality video in this price range. 

3. How much time does it take to create a minute long animated video?

The process of creating illustrations for a one-minute video may take upto 1-2 weeks, depending on the complexity of the project as well as the skills and experience of the animator. 

Besides, you must also consider the amount of time that goes into scriptwriting, storyboarding, creating illustrations, styleframes, recording the voiceover and working on the sound design. In total, it can take upto 7-8 weeks to complete the entire animated video.

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