Animation Business

How Much Does It Cost To Start An Animation Business? (In 2024)

Pat Walls

•

Updated: January 18th, 2023

Looking to start an animation business?

But curious about:

how much it costs to start an animation business?
what are the typical animation business startup costs?
or the actual cost of starting animation businesses?

Well, we have the data to prove it, supported by real animation businesses and how much they actually cost to start.

Let's go over it.

Learn more about starting an animation business:

Where to start?

-> Pros and cons of an animation business

Need inspiration?

-> Other animation business success stories
-> Marketing ideas for an animation business
-> Animation business slogans
-> Animation business names
-> Animation business Instagram bios

Other resources

-> Animation business tips
-> Blog post ideas for an animation business

Equipment & Supply Expenses

Starting an animation business may require purchasing some equipment, whether that's for producing the product or packaging the goods, or equipment needed in the back office.

Cost	Required?	Min Cost	Max Cost
Cleaning Supplies ➜	Optional	$63	$200

Business Formation Fees

There are a few key costs associated with forming your business entity, such as setting up an LLC and getting trademarks, copyrights, and patents sorted.

Cost	Required?	Min Cost	Max Cost
Set up business: LLC & Corporations	Required	$50	$500
Small Business Insurance	Recommended	$500	$2,000
Permit and License Fees	Optional	$50	$700
Trademark	Optional	$0	$700
Lawyer Fees	Optional	$0	$1,500
A Patent ➜	Optional	$5,000	$15,000

Software Expenses

Your animation business needs software to run efficiently!

Why spend money on software? Because it can help you save time and automate certain parts of the business, so you can focus on the most important matters. Software and technology can help you grow your business, and save you from expensive personnel costs.

Cost	Required?	Min Cost	Max Cost
File Hosting Service	Recommended	$0	$299
Email marketing tool	Recommended	$0	$100
Accounting & Invoicing Software	Recommended	$0	$50
CRM Software ➜	Recommended	$12	$300
Project Management Software	Recommended	$0	$25
Internal Communication Tool	Recommended	$0	$20
IT Support ➜	Optional	$150	$2,000
Design Programs & Software	Optional	$0	$50
Social Media Management Tools	Optional	$0	$50
Payroll Software	Optional	$0	$200

Office Space Expenses

It will be your call to determine if you need office space. It is not a requirement but may be necessary as your animation business grows.

Cost	Required?	Min Cost	Max Cost
Rent ➜	Optional	$0	$5,750
Utility Costs For Office Space ➜	Optional	$0	$1,150
WiFi & Internet ➜	Optional	$0	$100

Employee & Freelancer Expenses

Cost	Required?	Min Cost	Max Cost
Payroll Costs & Fees ➜	Optional	$150	$250
Employee Hiring Expenses	Optional	$1	$2
Employee Rewards ➜	Optional	$0	$100

Website Costs

Every business should have a website, and it's worth spending a bit of money to set it up right.

Cost	Required?	Min Cost	Max Cost
Domain Name ➜	Required	$12	$200
Website Hosting Costs ➜	Required	$0	$300
Website Builder ➜	Recommended	$10	$500
Business Email Hosting Service ➜	Recommended	$1	$15
Website & Live Chat Tool	Recommended	$0	$200
Web Designer ➜	Optional	$200	$6,000

App Creation Costs

Cost	Required?	Min Cost	Max Cost
App Development ➜	Optional	$1,000	$20,000

Advertising & Marketing Costs

Cost	Required?	Min Cost	Max Cost
Customer Research & Surveys	Optional	$0	$300
Business Signage ➜	Optional	$75	$2,486
Direct Campaigns, Printing and Mailing	Optional	$0	$300
Affiliate Marketing Commission & Fees	Optional	$0	$250
Influencer Marketing	Optional	$0	$750
Google Ads	Optional	$0	$300
Facebook & Instagram Ads	Optional	$0	$350