Understanding Design Pricing: One-on-One vs White Label
Starting pricing conversations can feel unclear from the outside, especially when you’re comparing one-on-one design services to white label work. They can look similar on the surface, but the structure, expectations, and scope behind each are very different.
This breakdown will give you a clearer understanding of how pricing works across both, and why those numbers aren’t interchangeable.
The Two Paths: One-on-One vs White Label
At Studio Starlet, services are structured around two distinct types of clients:
Business owners (one-on-one clients)
Creative studios (white label partners)
Both receive high-quality brand and web design, but the way projects are approached is fundamentally different.
One-on-One Clients: Full-Service, High-Touch Work
Working one-on-one means you’re getting a complete, collaborative experience from start to finish.
This includes:
Strategy and direction
Brand identity development
Website design and development
Guidance throughout the entire process
You’re not just receiving deliverables. You’re getting clarity, structure, and a cohesive foundation built specifically for your business.
Starting Pricing for One-on-One Projects
Because of that depth, pricing reflects the level of involvement and customization:
Branding only: typically starts around $3,000 and can go up to $8,000
Website only: typically starts around $4,500 and can go up to $10,000
Full brand + website projects: typically range from $7,500 to $15,000+
Every project is custom scoped, but these ranges give a realistic starting point.
Why the Investment Is Higher
With one-on-one work, you’re investing in:
A tailored process built around your business
Strategic thinking, not just design execution
A fully guided experience with multiple phases and refinement
Long-term consistency across every touchpoint
It’s a partnership, not just a project.
White Label Clients: Streamlined, Behind-the-Scenes Support
White label work is structured completely differently.
Instead of working directly with the end client, Studio Starlet partners with creative studios to handle design execution behind the scenes. The studio remains the face of the project, while the work is delivered under their brand.
This setup changes everything about how projects are priced.
Starting Pricing for White Label Projects
Because the scope is more focused on execution (rather than full strategy and client management), pricing is more streamlined:
Branding: typically $1,000 to $3,500
Website design + development: typically $2,500 to $4,000
Website design only: typically $800 to $1,500
Website development only: typically $1,500 to $3,000
Shopify development: typically $3,000 to $4,000
Again, these are starting ranges, with final pricing based on scope.
Why the Investment Is Lower
White label pricing reflects a different role in the process:
Strategy is often already defined by the studio
Client communication is handled externally
Systems and workflows are already established
The focus is on execution, not full project leadership
It’s a more contained scope, even though the quality of work remains the same.
Budgeting for White Label as a Studio Owner
If you’re a studio owner, white label pricing isn’t just about what you pay, it’s about how it fits into your overall project pricing and margins.
A common range is allocating 10–40% of your total client project cost toward white label design and development support. Where you fall within that range depends on a few factors:
How involved you are in strategy and creative direction
Whether you’re outsourcing a portion of the work or the majority of execution
Your overall pricing and positioning as a studio
For example, if you’re leading strategy and client communication but outsourcing execution, you may be closer to the lower end of that range. If you’re handing off a larger portion of the design or build, your investment will naturally sit higher.
The goal is to maintain healthy margins while still delivering a high-quality final product to your clients.
It’s also worth noting that white label partnerships are flexible. If your studio offers lower-priced projects or is in a growth phase, I’m always open to discussing pricing that aligns with your business model. The structure should support your studio, not strain it.
The best partnerships are built with a clear understanding of scope, expectations, and sustainability on both sides.
The Key Differences in Simple Terms
The easiest way to think about it:
One-on-one clients are paying for the full experience.
White label clients are paying for a specific piece of that experience.
With one-on-one:
You’re building everything from the ground up
You need direction, structure, and decision-making support
The process is more involved and collaborative
With white label:
The direction already exists
The studio leads the relationship
The work needs to fit into an existing system
Neither is “better” than the other. They serve completely different needs.
Why This Distinction Matters
It’s common to see pricing and assume one option is simply more expensive or more affordable. In reality, you’re comparing two different types of services.
If you’re a business owner, white label pricing won’t apply to your project because it doesn’t include the level of support you need.
If you’re a studio, one-on-one pricing doesn’t make sense for your margins or workflow.
Understanding that distinction helps set clearer expectations from the start.
Final Thoughts
Both service paths are designed with intention.
One-on-one work is built for businesses ready to invest in a clear, cohesive foundation.
White label partnerships are built for studios that need reliable, consistent design support as they scale.
Same level of care. Different structure. Different scope.
If you’re deciding between the two, the right fit comes down to your role in the process and how much support you actually need.
