Move over Fiverr. Unlimited graphic design services are the newest alternative to hiring a graphic designer. But, these services bring up many questions. For example: How unlimited is unlimited graphic design?

We tried out one of the top services: Penji.

Like many of their counterparts, Penji offers graphic design work on a monthly subscription. We put their promise of fast turnaround, high-quality, and affordability to the test.

You can submit as many design projects as you want via their online portal, and they’ll complete your requests one at a time until your queue is complete. This type of service promises to be a great added resource for teams to improve productivity.

Does it sound too good to be true? We thought so too. So, we signed up to see for ourselves.

This article was updated on June, 2021.

Quick Summary

As with any service, there are pros and cons. To help with your graphic design hiring decision, we decided to condense what we found in a bulleted list below. Here’s a quick summary of our review of Penji’s unlimited graphic design service.

(Still wondering what “unlimited graphic design” is? We explain what it is here.)

Pros

• Easy and quick to create design projects
• Storage for all my requested designs
• VERY fast turnaround on most projects. I expected just 1 draft in 24 hours but instead received 3 drafts. Revisions were sometimes completed the same day I submitted them.
• Helpful features such as a revision tool, ability to invite team members, brand profile, and more
• Upbeat and direct communication from everyone I interact with
• A dedicated and responsive account manager who replies within a few hours

Cons

• Can’t call or talk to designers
• Best if you have design projects ready to submit
• Not available as an app

Overall Experience

Penji’s “unlimited” design model is a great choice if you have the right expectations going in. The service is affordable for growing businesses and their output is reliable. However, if you’re expecting to be on-call or face-to-face with your designer, this type of service is not for you.

Compared to designing yourself, hiring freelancers, or using Fiverr, Penji is a much better service and value by a long shot. Their team of designers lived up to the promise and exceeded my expectations.

Thinking of trying Penji out for yourself? Here’s a special promo code for Owner’s Mag readers:

Use the Penji promo code “OWNER25” to get 25% off your 1st month.

PENJI FULL REVIEW

We put Penji to the test by signing up, requesting a design, and examining the results. Here’s how it went.

Final Verdict

We get it. You want to know how it went without reading all the mumbo jumbo.

All four projects were completed within two weeks and I was impressed with how they all turned out. If I had paid hourly or per project, these would’ve easily cost me well above $1200+ to get done, and probably taken weeks.

With Penji, it took just a few days and I paid a fraction of what I would’ve paid elsewhere. Definitely impressed with both the turnaround, quality, communication, and value this startup has to offer.

But Penji isn’t without its flaws. The service definitely isn’t for everybody.

Who would benefit:

• business owners
• marketers
• agencies
• creatives with consistent design needs

If you don’t have a consistent need, the bill will start racking up after a couple of months and you won’t see the value in the subscription.

However, if you do happen to fit their target demographic, then there’s no better alternative out there. The speed and quality of their work easily rival other services I’d ever used. For $399 per month, this is an absolute steal.

What I Did Step by Step

Now, if you want to get into the meat of how it went, keep on reading for every detail of how I got from the sign up screen to the final project.

Signing Up For Penji

Signing up for Penji was a relatively quick and painless process. All of my questions were answered in less than 5 minutes by customer support via Intercom and another 2 minutes to complete the checkout process.

Communication with Penji’s Support Team

How fast and reliable a company’s support team is before you are an active customer is a reflection of what’s to come. If they’re unresponsive now, it will only get worse once I’m a customer. I reached out to Penji’s customer support team via their Intercom chat popup and got a response within 30 seconds, which is pretty good. I asked basic questions and the agent seemed knowledgeable.

Communication as a Customer

All communication is done online through Penji’s proprietary online portal. That includes revisions, feedback, and answering any questions my designers may have.

Communication with Your Designers

Penji assigned me 1 designer, Billie, and communication with her was easy. If you have used any messaging platforms like Slack, Facebook Messenger, or Discord, you’d be familiar with this form of communication.

Billie was responsive, attentive, and always seemed to have a positive attitude no matter how demanding my requests were. She had many questions about the projects, which I tried my best to answer as a customer. Though the back and forth took longer than I wanted, I realized she was just being thorough to get the design done right, which I appreciate.

Communication with Your Account Managers

They assigned me an Account Manager, Charmaine, who was very quick whenever I needed something. It usually takes just a few hours for me to get a reply via email from her. When I had an issue with one of the projects, she quickly stepped in and helped resolve the situation.

1. Choose the Right Package

All the packages are laid out with monthly, quarterly, and yearly pricing. Starting at $399 per month for the Pro plan, you’ll be able to make unlimited graphic design requests with a 24-48 hour turnaround. As your design needs grow, you’ll have the Team and Agency packages to choose from.

2. Checkout

The form is straightforward and easy to fill out. Checking out was a breeze and took about 2 minutes.

3. Submit a Design Project

Clicking on the “+ Create new project” button, I’m presented with a visual chart of all the design categories they offer. They offer an extensive selection of options and even the ability to request a custom project.

4. Fill Out the Request Form

Next, I filled out a short form detailing what I wanted them to design. For those of you who hate long forms, this one from Penji is easy to follow and doesn’t ask too many questions. Most of the questions are actually optional so you can be as descriptive or non-descriptive as you like.

My test projects

As a digital publisher, we produce content on a daily basis and always have a need for on-brand graphic design. I created several projects to test how well-rounded Penji is and how they handle both simple and complex requests. A simple banner should be difficult, but can they handle a complex infographic with lots of texts and imagery?

Here are my test projects:

1. Blog Graphic: Best DSLR Camera Equipment For Beginners
2. Custom Illustration: Best Vacuum Cleaner Money Can Buy
3. Facebook Post: Isometric Tech Gadget Graphic
4. Magazine Print Cover (Owner’s Magazine’s 2020 May Edition

Despite creating four projects, the entire process was quick and smooth. It only took a few minutes to create them and their internal platform was lightning fast. At this pace, I can see myself submitting multiple projects on their platform with ease.

Turnaround Time

I expected at least one draft the next day. What I didn’t expect were three drafts ready for review. To give you a comparison, most freelancers and design firms we’ve hired take several days to submit just one draft.

The designs were surprisingly good considering that it’s the first draft AND they had a 24-hour turnaround. After reviewing, I realized how they did it. Every project had a different designer. I wasn’t assigned just one designer. It was like having my very own virtual design team.

4. Requesting Revisions

Though the designs were good, I still needed a few revisions. The drafts were turned around usually the same day or by the next day. Their support agent actually told me it will take 24 hours to turn around revisions. The revisions that took 24 hours were typically much more involved.

Overall, revisions were quick. Most came back within a few hours after I submitted them.

My one gripe would be that I prefer to have some sort of real-time chat with my designer or at least have a Zoom call. That’s one thing I like about working with my freelancers. Whenever they were online, we could just have a back and forth conversation to get the revisions across. I can’t do that with Penji.

Built-in Revision Tool

Penji has a built-in revision tool that lets me click anywhere on the design to leave a revision. I found this incredibly useful as it enables me to pin-point what I want to change.

The Results

It took about 1 week to go back and forth with revisions and edits for all 4 design projects. At the end of the week, I received the final drafts for all three. Here are the results of the three test projects.

1. Blog Graphic: Best DSLR Camera Equipment For Beginners

This far exceeded my expectations and will more than do for the blog I’m writing about DSLR camera equipment. I think most designers would probably just stop with 1-2 icons and graphics for this design. My designer decided to add the tripod, three lenses, drone, backpack, and a whole entire stage lighting kit.

I didn’t ask for those, but I’m impressed with the quality of the design. No revisions needed. I approved this project on the first try.

2. Custom Illustration: Best Vacuum Cleaner Money Can Buy

For this project, I asked my designer Kei to do a custom illustration of a man vacuuming his floor. He actually drew it up and sent me a rough sketch first before he started coloring it in. That was an extra layer of care and attention to detail I wasn’t expecting. Needless to say, I approved of his drawing and he delivered this draft the next day.

Revision

Everything in this graphic was hand-drawn and then colored digitally. Like the first project, I couldn’t think of any revisions except asking him to put the texts “Best Vacuum Cleaner Money Can Buy” on the graphic.

He went the extra mile and designed the text to fit the graphics. See for yourself above. It’s details like these that I would have had to harass my freelancer and he would try to nickel and dime me for every revision. Great work Kei!

3. Facebook Post: Isometric Tech Gadget Graphic

My designer Jave’s first draft amazed me because of how much detail he put into this project. I had asked for an isometric graphic with various tech products laid out on an isometric glass plane. I honestly thought my description may have been a bit too vague, but he understood my vision even better than I did.

4. Magazine Print Cover (Owner’s Magazine’s 2020 May Edition)

My designer Billie gave me 3 versions of the magazine cover. I don’t like version 1 at all. It looks too templated. I personally like version 2 and 3 and left revision notes accordingly. The coronavirus image was entirely her idea and I love it.

Revision

This project took a bit longer than the others because my designer Billie had questions and we had a lot of back and forth. I didn’t mind at all since she was asking good questions that I should’ve included in my design request. Overall, I appreciated the extra time she took to understand me and the project better.

About three days later, I received another draft which blew everything before it out of the water.

Reviews From Other Sources

Because you may not take our word for it, here are some of the most recent reviews from other sources:

Jan Kartusek

Jorge Vila

IM Nights

Disclaimer: we receive an affiliate commission when the Penji promo code is used, however, the review is based on our experience.

At least 67% of consumers are comfortable texting a business for appointments or inquiries rather scheduling through email and call. So if you’re thinking about taking your SMS marketing to the next level, you’re on the right track. Due to our ever-evolving technology there are a lot of SMS marketing platforms to choose from. In this article, let’s take a deep dive and learn if ClickSend is one of the best SMS platforms out there. 

ClickSend Software Overview

ClickSend is an SMS software for any type of business worldwide. Other than sending, receiving, and tracking SMS, it lets businesses send marketing or transactional memos to clients. It lets users send SMS using two ways: 

1. From a user dashboard, using ClickSend’s SMS gateway. 
2. Using a designed application program interface. 

How Does It Work?

ClickSend is one of the popular cloud-based providers for SMS. It offers a variety of features to address client’s SMS marketing needs and more. For example, brands can send and receive memos through API or dashboard via: 

• SMS
• MMS
• Faxing
• Email Messaging
• Text-to-speech calls
• Letters via online cloud
• Rich messaging channel 

What Types of Businesses Uses ClickSend?

The SMS software is meant for medium and large enterprises. Specifically, the provider caters to industries such as: 

• IT
• Retail
• Advertising
• Marketing
• eCommerce
• Hospitality 
• Healthcare
• Banking and finance
• Sporting associations
• Transport and logistics
• Non-profit organizations
• Emergency services 

ClickSend Features

Other than sending inbound and outbound SMS, ClickSend is a reliable provider that can improve communication. It allows users to: 

• Send bills or invoices
• Offer customer service via text message
• Personalize advertising
• Manage and analyze marketing leads
• Oversee delivery communications with the suppliers
• Send our promos to customers
• Remind customers about meetings and event via SMS

ClickSend: Pros and Cons

In this section, let’s weigh the pros and cons of using ClickSend as the SMS provider of your business. 

ClickSend Pros

• Pay-as-you-go system

Unlike other SMS providers, ClickSend only charges what you use. No need to pay for anything that’s not relevant to your business needs. You only need to pay for the company’s outgoing messages. There might be instances where your provider will charge some incoming messages. With this system, say goodbye to the wasteful monthly maintenance fee that’s never applicable to the services you REALLY need.  

• Refund policy

Within a 14-day time frame, you can request for a refund. All you need to do is request within the time frame, and the ClickSend team will review your case. 

• ClickSend will beat comparable cheaper quotes

According to ClickSend, they can bet cheaper quotes by other SMS providers. So before you inquire about their custom pricing, be sure to check the prices from ClickSend alternatives.

• Internal and external communications

The software allows users to communicate via email, SMS, voice calls and faxes. It allows your business to connect externally with clients and internally with the staff members. The other perks of using it is the ability to reply to inbound messages directly from its platform. It saves you the hassle of switching applications. 

• SMS gateway

Users highly praise the convenient SMS features of ClickSend. More specifically, they love its reply features that carry nearly any carrier options. 

• Wider customer range

You can reach most countries without registration and additional cost. However, some countries need pre-registration, it depends on the regulation and restrictions of the country. 

• Stellar customer support

The company offers great customer support for their users. You can reach ClickSend’s sales or support team via live chat. It’s also possible to access the Knowledge Base section of their website in case your inquiry has been addressed there. 

• User-friendly software

Generally, ClickSend is simple to use. Users can easily upload their client contact list and send out bulk messages if needed.

• Be up-to-date 

ClickSend has simple reporting and engagement metric features. It’s a convenient tool to let users see the exact numbers of the messages they’ve sent. Also, you can keep track of how many text messages bounced, so it allows you to act more efficiently. 

• Zapier Integration

If your business uses Zapier, ClickSend has pre-built zaps for easy marketing automation. 

ClickSend Cons

• Data export and sharing insights is not possible

As mentioned in the pros, ClickSend allows a simple reporting feature. However, it’s too simple. If you need to export and share your business insights, there’s no easy way available using the software. 

• SMS campaign issues

Some users complain about a few issues in creating their SMS campaigns. There will be moments where you need to modify or adjust some settings. Others say that they need to recreate the copy of their campaign entirely, and go back to step one. 

• Character limit

ClickSend has a tight character limit. It also does not allow you to use any emoji on your text as it automatically sets your SMS into “two messages.” As the pricing works on a per text basis, you might want to limit your message to one per recipient. 

• Not great for time-sensitive SMS campaigns

Some reviews also say that sticking to a time-limited campaign is not easy. Basically, whenever you send out an SMS memo, ClickSend needs to approve them. So while the team conducts their approval process, this might cause a setback for campaigns that needed to be released on schedule. To avoid this possible issue, it’s best to set up your SMS campaign in advance. 

• Not the SMS marketing software for developers

ClickSend is a simple SMS provider. So if you’re a developer, it will appear “too simple” in your perspective. As it is a great tool for marketers, ClickSend is not the software if you’re a developer. It’s not the ideal SMS marketing platform if you plan to do a lot of customized programming and automation.

ClickSend Pricing Plan

One of the pros of using ClickSend is their pay as you go pricing plan for outbound messages. It means you only need to pay for the services you’ve use.

Outbound SMS Pricing

ClickSend’s rate per estimated messages: 

• Under 2,000 messages, $0.0271 per SMS
• 2,000 or more, $0.0194 per SMS
• 10,000 or more, $0.0132 per SMS
• 100,000 or more, $0.0097 per SMS

For outbound messages higher than 200,000 you’ll need to contact ClickSend’s team to give your business a quotation. 

Inbound SMS Pricing

• Always FREE

Dedicated ClickSend Number

• $1.94 per month, no setup fee needed

Dedicated Shortcode

• $1123.32 per month
• $1123.32 setup fee

ClickSend: Frequently Asked Questions

Does ClickSend offer a free trial sign up? 

Yes. ClickSend offers a limited free trial.

Is it possible for multiple users to share one account?

It’s possible to add, manage and view as many accounts needed in your team. As the account owner, you can designate employees their own “subaccounts.” 

Does ClickSend have a character limit per message

We have two categories when it comes to ClickSend’s character limit: 

• Standard 

Users have a 160-character limit per one Standard message. 

• Unicode  

Unicode messages only allow up to 70 characters. 

Is it worth it to use ClickSend?

In the end, ClickSend is one of the best SMS marketing platforms that boasts high ratings from users. It has a user-friendly software that delivers efficient, reliable and satisfying results. 

Alternatives You Should Know About

If you’re still undecided if ClickSend is perfect SMS software for your business, you can explore other alternatives:

• SimpleTexting
• TextMagic
• HeyMarket
• Salesmsg
• Yotpo

Due to various unlimited graphic design services online, the graphic design industry expanded, offering more options to clients. We can say that the scene is more competitive now more than ever. However, let’s focus on the Graphics Zoo business model. Let’s weigh if their services can keep up with the fierce competition in the “unlimited” section of the industry. 

Graphics Zoo Overview

Graphics Zoo is an unlimited graphic design service that allows users to request designs on a monthly subscription. All clients have to do is create a submission with full specifications of their design requirements. It’s also best to attach references to help designers take the creative path towards the client’s preferences. The great thing about an online graphic design service is its flat monthly rate, with no added fees for revisions. 

Graphics Zoo: Business Model

Unlimited graphic design is a type of business model which allows clients to submit numerous requests per account. After presenting the design preference, expect a 24-hour turnaround or more before you can receive your output. If you receive a design output that’s far from expectations, you can point out the changes you want to make for the revision. Graphics Zoo has a flat monthly rate with no contracts involved. It means you can cancel your subscription anytime without having any legal worries. 

Graphics Zoo’s Market

The design service is excellent for creative agencies, startups, independent businesses, bloggers, and entrepreneurs. As long as the business needs a continuous supply of custom graphic designs. Here are a few examples of companies that worked with Graphics Zoo: 

• Enicode
• Bread of Life Inc.
• Western Rockies Federal Credit Union
• Perfect Imprints
• Green Guard

So far, Graphic Zoos have more than 750 satisfied customers with at least 20,000 approved projects. It’s also highly rated by their customers, earning whopping 4.9-star reviews. 

Pros and Cons of Graphics Zoo

Graphics Zoo’s Upside 

• PROOF management system

Graphics Zoo offers a robust system that provides a collaborative space for designers and clients. It streamlines the whole submission and revision process. Using the tool, the clients can click on any submitted designs to pinpoint areas that need revision. It also allows users to leave a comment to provide more instructions to the designer. 

• Graphics Zoo offers a stellar project management system that allows efficient communication between both parties. 
• Brand profile features add accuracy and efficiency per design project. It quickly provides the design’s purpose to designers. 
• Graphics Zoo offers a comprehensive design selection across various graphic design categories. 
• The ability to share one account among multiple users is helpful for most businesses.
• Excellent customer support and design project management system
• A team of versatile designers that can provide designs for any business types

Graphics Zoo’s Downside

• It’s possible to encounter ill-paired designers that are not fit for other project requirements. It might consume time because of countless revisions. 
• You can only have one ongoing project per day. So if you’re a business with a high design output demand, you should opt for a plan with more designers. 
• Graphics Zoo’s system only allows you to chat with the designers. If you’re more inclined to video calls, it might be a problem for you. 

Graphics Zoo’s Pricing Plan

Graphics Zoo offers three monthly plans with robust features: 

Business Plan

• $349 per month
• All basic features
• One dedicated designer
• Additional $349 for additional designer
• Five brand profiles
• Three users
• 14-day guarantee 

Business Unlimited Plan

• $449 per month
• Everything included in the business plan
• Unlimited brand profiles
• Unlimited users
• White-label platforms
• Customized web design service
• 14-day guarantee 

Agency Plan

• $849 per month
• Everything included in previous plans
• Two dedicated designer
• 30-day guarantee 

Other Alternatives You Should Know

If you’re looking for more options with a similar business model as Graphics Zoo, don’t worry. Here’s a few popular unlimited graphic design service: 

• Penji
• Kimp
• Design Pickle
• DarkRoast
• ManyPixels