We’ve all been there.

Scrolling at midnight, desperately trying to design a logo on Canva that doesn’t look like it was made in Microsoft Paint circa 2002.

Or maybe you’ve found yourself drooling over a designer’s €3,000+ custom package, wondering if you really need to sell a kidney to look “professional.”

Here’s the thing: branding matters.

It’s not just about a pretty logo. It’s about the feeling your business gives people, the trust it builds, and the way it makes you look like the expert you already are.

But when you’re just starting out (or levelling up), the big question always pops up:

👉 Should I invest in a full custom brand, or grab a branding kit to start with?

Let’s break it down, mi amor.

Branding 101: What’s the Difference?

First things first — what even is branding?

Branding Kit:
Think of it as a starter pack for your business. It usually includes:

A logo (sometimes variations).
A colour palette.
A font pairing.
Some simple brand elements (patterns, icons, Canva templates).

It’s like moving into a furnished flat. The basics are there, you can add your own touches, and you’re not stuck eating dinner on the floor.

Custom Branding:
This is the full tailored brand experience. A designer works with you 1:1 to create everything from scratch:

Bespoke logos & variations.
Tailored colour palette.
Typography system.
Moodboard & brand strategy.
Collateral (business cards, social graphics, packaging, etc.).

It’s like buying your own dream house and decorating it exactly how you want. Gorgeous, unique, 100% you.

The Reality: Branding is a lot like Housing.

Most people start with their first affordable but cosy home. You decorate it, make it cute, do some DIY, buy some second-hand pieces, and voilà — it feels like yours.

Even if it’s not the house of your dreams, it’s your first home. You love it.
👉 That’s your Branding Kit.

With time, you grow. You know yourself better. You know what you want. And one day… AHA! You’ve got the income to buy your dreamy, spacious, just-perfect home.

👉 That’s your Custom Brand.

So the real question is: do you want a lovely home to start, or are you ready for the big house?

The Case for Branding Kits

(Start Strong Without Breaking the Bank)

Branding kits are perfect if you’re starting out.

Here’s why:

Affordable → You don’t need €2k+ when you’re still validating your idea. Most kits are under €300.
Fast → You can literally have your brand up and running in a day.
Professional polish → No more DIY logos that scream “hobby project.”
Flexible → Editable in Canva, so you can adjust as your business grows.
Confidence boost → Showing up with cohesive branding makes you feel more legit.

✨ Bonus: I design Branding Kits made in Canva, so you can actually use them without needing Adobe skills. And if you want them tailored to feel more “you,” I offer a semi-custom upgrade — I do the tweaks, you get the polished look, minus the overwhelm.

The Case for Custom Branding

(When You’re Ready to Invest)

Custom branding isn’t for everyone — but when it’s the right time, it can be game-changing.

Here’s why entrepreneurs love going custom:

Unique AF → No one else will ever have your brand. It’s made just for you.
Strategy-led → It’s not just colours and fonts. A good designer digs into your values, your audience, and your goals.
Scalable → You get guidelines that work everywhere: website, socials, packaging, events.
Saves time later → Instead of rebranding every year, you invest once and grow into it.
“I’ve made it” energy → There’s something magical about seeing your vision come alive in a way you couldn’t DIY.

Of course, custom branding comes with:

Higher cost (anywhere from €1,000–€5,000 depending on the designer).
Longer timelines (think weeks or months, not hours).

So it’s not always the first step. And that’s okay.

Branding Kits vs. Custom: The Honest Comparison

Here’s a side-by-side to make it super clear:

Branding Kits

Affordable (€100–€300)
Instant access
Canva editable
Perfect for early stages
Style may be shared with others
DIY or semi-custom option

Custom Branding

Premium (€1,000–€5,000+)
Takes weeks/months
Designer-only editable
Best for established businesses
100% unique design
Fully done for you

Which One Do You Need Right Now?

Here’s my honest take:

If you’re in your first 6–12 months, still finding your niche, or validating your offers → Branding Kit is your bestie. Affordable, flexible, and enough to make you look professional while you experiment.
If you’re getting consistent clients, scaling, and want to position yourself as the go-to expert in your field → Custom Branding is worth it. It’s an investment that pays you back in confidence, clarity, and client trust.

And if you’re like “Cristina, I want the branding kit vibe but without stressing over edits” → go for Semi-Custom Branding. You pick the kit you love, I adapt it for you, and voilà: you’ve got a brand that feels polished and unique without the custom price tag.

The Real Truth?

It’s not about which is “better.”

It’s about which is right for your stage of business right now.

Because the worst thing you can do is wait for “perfect” before you start showing up.

✨ Consistent, cohesive branding builds trust.
✨ Trust brings clients.
✨ Clients bring growth.

So whether you grab a kit or go full custom, the best decision is to actually start.

Ready to Glow Up Your Brand?

If you’re ready to stop hiding behind DIY logos and random Pinterest fonts…

👉 Check out my Branding Kits (all editable in Canva, no tech overwhelm).
👉 Or upgrade to Semi-Custom Branding, where I polish it for you.
👉 Already scaling? Let’s talk about a Custom Branding package.

Your brand deserves to shine — and so do you.