Choosing the right design service can be a game-changer for your business. But the process of vetting designers, comparing prices, and finding someone who understands your brand can quickly become a fulltime job.

Fortunately, design platforms are streamlining their services more and more so you can eliminate the tedious work and just get what you need. Today, we’re comparing three popular design platforms: Superside, Penji, and Upwork. Each offers unique benefits, so let’s dive into their reputation, key features, and pricing.

Superside

Reputation

Superside markets itself as a creative subscription service for brands looking to get many designs on a rolling basis. They’re known for high-quality services with a focus on scalability and speed. They cater mainly to businesses looking for ongoing design support. Generally, Superside has received positive reviews online for their professional quality and reliable turnaround times. Some clients appreciate the dedicated team model and find it better than working with a traditional agency. Overall, Superside’s reputation is solid.

Key Features

• Dedicated Team: Clients get a dedicated team of designers, no random freelancers
• Scalability: Ideal for businesses that need design at scale
• Speed: Promises quick turnaround times, typically 12 to 48 hours
• Collaboration Tools: Integrated project management tools for seamless communication and workflow

Pricing

Like most design subscriptions, Superside offers a monthly pricing model with several tiers. But what is unique is that it runs on a credit system. For each tier, you get an allotted number of credits for design work. Once you run out, you simply purchase more.

– Level 1: $5,000, 50 credits
– Level 2: $9,000, 100 credits
– Level 3: $13,000, 150 credits
– Enterprise: Custom

Penji

Penji is comparable to Superside because they’re also a subscription graphic design service. They’ve been recognized for their reliability, affordability, and quality in online reviews. Penji caters to small businesses and agencies that are looking for an extension to their creative team. Without having to hire an in-house team, brands get the chance to save money without sacrificing quality or speed.

Key Features

• Unlimited Requests: Clients can submit as many design or revision requests as needed
• Fast Turnaround: Typically delivers initial drafts within 24 hours
• Simplicity: Straightforward platform with easy request submission and project management
• Variety of Designs: Covers a wide range of design needs, from social media ads to websites

Pricing

Penji is a flat-rate monthly subscription that you can pause anytime. The specifics of the service will depend on which tier you choose, but all tiers include real-time chat and ad creatives.

– Starter: $499
– Marketer: $995
– Agency: $1497

Upwork

If a design subscription isn’t what you need, Upwork may be a better choice. Upwork is similar to Fiverr, a freelance marketplace where brands can find designers and other freelance professionals. While it does have mixed reviews in terms of quality, you could have a successful experience with careful freelancer selection and management. The service is generally reliable because if you have a problem with pricing or design delivery, Upwork will hold freelancers accountable.

Key Features

• Freelancer Variety: Access a vast pool of freelancers with different skill levels and specialties
• Flexibility: Pay per project or on an hourly basis, with no long-term commitment
• Global Talent: Ability to hire freelancers from around the world
• Custom Solutions: Highly customizable design services depending on the freelancer’s expertise

Pricing

The structure of Upwork’s pricing is pay-as-you-go or hourly rates. The price is hard to say because it varies so widely, anywhere from $10 to $150+ depending on scope of work.

So who do you choose?

At the end of the day, different companies have different budgets and needs. If you know you’ll need various designs on a regular basis, the graphic design subscription model is probably best. But if you’re looking for a freelancer to handle a one-off project, a freelance marketplace like Upwork is the place to look.

The value of Penji is that they offer a 30-day money back guarantee so you have nothing to lose trying it out. Similarly, Upwork offers refunds within 180 days, so there’s no risk if your freelancer just doesn’t get the job done.

OpenAI has unveiled the latest evolution of its famous ChatGPT platform, and the internet is already tinkering with its new capabilities. Powered by the cutting-edge GPT-4o model, aptly named Omni, OpenAI is pushing the boundaries, seamlessly integrating text, image, video, and audio comprehension like never before.

With the stated mission of democratizing AI, OpenAI’s Spring update declares a new era of accessibility. It underscores the company’s commitment to AI as a practical product beyond mere experimentation.

The new version will be released in stages rather than all at once. And a new domain, chatgpt.com, has been rolled out. Free account holders have the most to gain, as the new model surpasses both GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 in functionality. Notably, users can now execute code snippets, analyze diverse media formats, and deploy custom chatbots.

If you want to see if you can access the new model, navigate to the ChatGPT website and look for a drop-down menu in the top left corner. You’ll see GPT 3.5 and GPT-4, but if you don’t see GPT-4o, it simply isn’t available to you yet.

Image Capabilities

One of the most notable features is ChatGPT’s new image generation capabilities, which have evolved significantly. While previous iterations struggled with misspellings (even with explicit instructions), GPT-4o showed a remarkable ability to generate images with clear, correctly spelled text in a recent live demo. From a graphic poem to a movie poster, the AI quickly incorporated text into visuals without mistakes.

AI image generators like DALL-E have exploded in popularity, amazing people with their ability to create visuals from text prompts. This growing interest is fueled by the exponential improvements in AI’s capabilities. As the models evolve, they generate increasingly complex and impressive images. But despite these advancements, AI image generators remain somewhat unpredictable and are not entirely under our control. The specific style and nuances of the images produced are random. So getting highly customized images that fit your vision is trial and error. 

So where should brands get their visuals?

This all begs the question: Are AI image generators good enough to replace designers or design agencies? In many cases, the answer is yes. Those with small or non-existent budgets will likely be relying on AI the most for their visual assets. Anyone who has the time to tinker with AI generators to get the perfect result will be making the most of ChatGPT-4o.

But what about those who don’t have the time, patience, or expertise to try to get branded visuals out of an AI image generator? AI has come a long way, but text prompts don’t give you a ton of authority over what is generated. This is where the fusion of AI and human designers comes in.

Equipped with cutting-edge AI tools, designers are anything but out of a job. They’re leveling up their design capabilities by successfully wielding AI design tools themselves. 

Unlimited graphic design is a perfect example. Services like Penji offer unlimited designs for a flat monthly fee.

Here’s How it Works

Step 1: Start a Project | Head to Penji’s dashboard and click on “Create a Project.” Select your desired category, such as logo design, and fill in all the necessary details to ensure your designer has everything they need to deliver outstanding results.

Step 2: Instant Matching | After submitting your design brief, our AI-powered system will instantly match you with a professional designer. At this point, you can sit back and relax.

Step 3: Review and Provide Feedback | Expect the first draft within 24 to 48 hours. You can easily give feedback directly on the project using a point-and-click tool. The designer will keep refining the work until you’re completely satisfied. There’s no cap on the number of revisions, and if needed, you can request a different designer.

Step 4: Finalize and Download | Once you’re pleased with the outcome, mark the project as complete. You can then download your files directly from the Penji platform. No need for external links or emails, and your files are securely stored in the cloud for convenient access at any time.

You can also communicate directly with designers, as well as creative assistants, project managers, or art directors, depending on the plan you choose.

There’s no contract, so you can cancel or pause anytime. 

The sky’s the limit. You can order custom:

• Ad designs
• Organic social posts
• Custom illustrations
• Logos & branding
• Blog graphics
• Infographics
• Email templates
• Landing pages
• Web & app designs
• And more

Brands are getting crazy results. For example: 

RevenueZen saw a 25% increase in customer engagement and a 20% boost in sales after partnering with Penji for their new website.

Rush Order Tees upped their productivity by 2200% with the help of just 5 Penji designers who mastered their brand visuals.

Say Goodbye to Deadbeat Designers

For brands struggling with the challenges of vetting and hiring designers, Penji presents a stress-free alternative. Say farewell to the constant cycle of hiring and firing, along with the hassle of payroll management. With Penji, you gain access to a curated pool of talented creatives, meticulously chosen to satisfy even the most demanding clients.

Raise Customer Loyalty with a Bulletproof Brand 

Penji also excels in enhancing customer retention. By delivering consistently high-quality, on-brand designs for every project, you can build trust and loyalty among your clients. A dedicated team of creatives, project coordinators, and quality control specialists ensures your brand always looks its best.

At roughly 70% less than the cost of hiring an in-house designer, you can significantly increase production rates without compromising on quality or speed.

Ready to Win at Business?

If your interest is peaked and you’re ready to power your brand with more ease than ever, watch a quick demo to see how you can get all the designs you need in one place.

Penji, Design Pickle, and Kimp are three major players in the unlimited graphic design space. These three services offer graphic design and illustration work to kickstart branding or keep a business consistent across multiple platforms. If you still can’t decide among these three options, let us do it for you. Here is our comprehensive review of the three services.

What is The Subscription Graphic Design Model?

First, how does unlimited graphic design work? Penji, DP, and Kimp run on a three-tier subscription model. Regardless of the tier chosen, you’ll get unlimited designs for a flat monthly fee. This includes unlimited revisions on any design as needed.

Traditional graphic design services typically charge on a per-project or hourly basis. This can lead to variable and sometimes unpredictable costs, especially when dealing with multiple design projects. The value of unlimited design lies in both affordability and convenience. Basically, you’ll save a ton when you don’t have to hire a full-time designer or design team. You’ll save time on vetting and hiring freelancers, and you won’t have to pay exorbitant fees to an agency that may or may not get the job done.

Of course, these are only upsides for those with the budget and need for regular design projects. If you only need designs occasionally, the unlimited model won’t be worth it. 

Brands will need to consider:

Scalability – Evaluate your business needs in terms of the number of design requests monthly to choose a plan that can help you scale.

Turnaround Time – Assess the turnaround times offered by each service to ensure they align with your project timelines.

Features & Support – Consider the features provided in each plan, including access to dedicated account managers, unlimited revisions, and other support services.

Unlimited graphic design companies offer a wide scope of services:

• Infographics
• Email designs
• Illustrations
• Logos
• Landing pages
• Ecommerce designs
• Social media graphics
• Digital ads
• Branding
• And more

Penji Pricing Plan & Key Features

Penji’s three-tiered model includes the Starter, Marketer, and Agency plan. If you need web designs and presentation designs included, you’ll need at least the Marketer plan. Motion graphics become available at the Agency level. 

The Starter level gets you 80+ design services, the Marketer gets you 100+, and the Agency gets you 120+. To get the most bang for your buck, Penji recommends the mid-level plan. It’s worth mentioning that your point of contact at Penji gets upgraded as you upgrade tiers:

• Starter: Creative Assistant 
• Marketer: Project Manager  
• Agency: Art Director

Another interesting perk of Penji’s model is Talent Discovery and Dedicated Teams, each of which becomes available at the Marketer level. Talent Discovery means Penji’s team will examine your brand’s art style and identity and match you to the best creatives for the job. While tier 1’s AI matching system does this according to designers’ skills, tier 2 gives you an even more customized match.

Penji offers a money-back guarantee if you try the service and don’t like it after 30 days. You can also pause, upgrade, or downgrade your subscription at any time as your business needs change.

Kimp Pricing Plan & Key Features

Kimp also offers a three-tiered pricing model, but their setup is a little different. Users can get graphics, video, or graphics and video.

Their graphics tier is cheaper than both Design Pickle and Penji for the first two months. After that, it goes up to $599 and includes a variety of unique perks like GIFs, web and app design, and Canva designs.

Kimp’s video subscription unlocks a dedicated video team and 2-4 day turnaround times. You can get videos edited and enhanced, or animated from scratch. For graphics, their turnaround time is just 24 hours.

The value of Kimp’s business model lies in its customization and unique offerings. For brands that need only graphics or only video, Kimp is a great choice. At the time of this post, their highest price tier of video and graphics is also heavily discounted. So if you want to test out the platform without breaking the bank, now is the time.

Design Pickle Pricing Plan & Key Features

Design Pickle offers a pricing plan largely similar to Penij’s: Three tiers: Graphics, Graphics Pro, and Graphics Premium. The only major pricing difference is that Design Pickle’s top tier is roughly $200 more than Penji’s. They also offer “Power Plans” for larger companies that are scaling and need a heftier package. Costs are determined on a case-by-case basis.

Design Pickle’s mid-level tier unlocks real-time Slack collaboration and an onboarding call with one of their Customer Success representatives. Much like Penji, presentation designs are unlocked at tier 2 and motion graphics at tier 3. Canva file delivery is another interesting perk offered at the highest price tier.

Design Pickle has a toggle option that allows you to pay annually instead of monthly. 

What’s the right service for you?

At the end of the day, these services are neck and neck with what they offer. And because they’re direct competitors, you can expect their plans to stay in the ballpark of one another long-term. With that said, there are some simple ways to parse them apart.

Overall, Penji’s pricing page offers a more detailed view of what you get in each tier. Because Design Pickle’s pricing page is simpler, it’s unclear whether or not they offer everything Penji does. The call-to-action is to get in touch, so DP seems to prefer speaking one-on-one with clients before getting started with a plan. Meanwhile, Penji invites you to sign up right away and start ordering designs through the platform.

Kimp is the only service providing video editing services, so if video is an important part of your 2024 marketing strategy, you’ll want to choose Kimp.

What makes them different?

Consistency: Some business owners and marketers may be tired of inconsistent designs and freelancers who don’t fully ‘get’ their brand. In this case, Penji’s Dedicated Team feature could be the solution you’ve been looking for. 

Integrations: Design Pickle shines in the realm of integrations, especially Slack. If you’re looking to seamlessly integrate the design process into your workflow, DP is the better choice. 

Affordability: If it strictly comes down to price and you run an agency with high design needs, Penji is more affordable than Design Pickle. Kimp’s graphics plan is $100 pricier than the others, but they offer the first two months for just $299/month.

Turnaround time: Both Penji and Design Pickle promise 1-2 day turnarounds for their entry-level tier. The higher-priced tiers promise a same-day turnaround on design projects, so the platforms are evenly matched here. Kimp’s website specifies a “24 hour” turnaround time for graphics and 2-4 days for video projects.

Trial: There’s no mention of a ‘trial’ period on Design Pickle’s site, so this is something you’d need to inquire about. Penji mentions a 30-day money-back guarantee on its pricing page, and Kimp offers a free trial for each plan.

Why use an unlimited graphic design service in 2024?

By opting for a subscription-based service, companies can mitigate the risk associated with the uncertainties of hiring, training, and retaining in-house designers. The subscription model provides a level of predictability in terms of costs and resources. You always know your design costs, and you can get everything you need in one place.

Companies can scale their design needs up or down. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for agencies with fluctuating workloads or seasonal demands.

Outsourcing graphic design lets teams focus on their core competencies. Instead of spending time and money managing in-house designers, businesses can concentrate on their primary goals while getting on-brand graphics quickly.