Expo 86 Design in Chattanooga: Full-Service Branding and Print for Local Businesses
Expo 86 Design is a small graphic design studio in Chattanooga that handles brand identity, web design, and print collateral for startups, nonprofits, and established businesses across the Southeast. The firm operates as a project-based shop rather than a retainer agency, making it accessible to companies that need one-off design work or a complete rebrand without committing to ongoing monthly fees.
What Expo 86 Design actually does
Expo 86 Design specializes in logo design, brand guidelines, website design, and print materials including business cards, letterhead, packaging, and marketing collateral. The studio takes a collaborative approach, meeting with clients over initial consultations to understand their market position and business goals before moving into concept development. Unlike larger marketing agencies in Chattanooga that bundle design into broader advertising or digital marketing services, Expo 86 Design isolates the design work, which means clients pay only for the visual strategy and assets they need.
The studio does not offer ongoing social media management or paid advertising services. It focuses on the foundation: making your brand look intentional and cohesive across every touchpoint.
Pricing and project scope
Expo 86 Design quotes projects individually, with typical engagements ranging from $2,500 for a single logo refresh to $15,000 for a full brand identity package that includes logo, color palette, typography guidance, and brand guidelines document. Website design projects start around $5,000 for a small brochure site and scale upward depending on functionality and content volume.
The studio works on a project basis, requiring a deposit upfront to begin work, with the balance due upon delivery of final files. Clients receive editable source files (Adobe Illustrator for logos, for example) and a written license to use the work. This differs from some freelancers in Chattanooga who retain copyright or charge extra for editable files.
Verify current pricing before starting a conversation, as rates may adjust for complex projects or rush timelines.
How Expo 86 Design compares to other Chattanooga design options
Chattanooga has a split design market. Larger firms like those integrated into advertising agencies (such as those offering design as part of a full-service ad package) typically charge retainers of $3,000 to $5,000 per month and require longer commitments. They are suited to companies that need ongoing creative support and strategic input. Expo 86 Design is cheaper upfront for a one-time project and does not lock you into a monthly fee.
On the other end, freelance designers working solo through platforms like Fiverr or Upwork often charge $500 to $2,000 for a logo and may not provide brand guidelines or file ownership clarity. Expo 86 Design falls in the middle: more professional structure and deliverables than a freelancer, more affordable than a full-service agency.
Choose Expo 86 Design if you need polished, print-ready work and a finished brand system. Choose a freelancer if budget is the only concern and you are willing to accept less documentation. Choose an agency if you need design plus ongoing strategy and media planning.
Who Expo 86 Design suits and who it does not
This studio works well for Chattanooga nonprofits preparing a fundraising rebrand, e-commerce startups launching their first website, and established local businesses refreshing logos that haven't been updated in 10+ years. The project-based model also suits companies that know exactly what they need (a new logo, a website redesign) and do not want to pay for consultative strategy.
Expo 86 Design is not the right fit if you need rapid turnaround (the studio typically requires 4 to 8 weeks for brand projects), if you expect the designer to also handle marketing strategy and copywriting, or if you are looking for the lowest possible cost. It is also not suited to companies that want a designer embedded on-site or available for quick daily revisions.
What your first visit involves
Initial consultations are typically held in person at the studio or via video call. Bring a brief on your business, your target customer, and what you want the design to accomplish. The designer will ask about your competitive landscape, whether you have existing brand preferences, and your timeline. After the first meeting, you will receive a proposal that outlines deliverables, timeline, and cost.
The design process typically includes two rounds of concepts and two rounds of revisions. Once you approve the direction, the studio produces final files in multiple formats (web, print, and editable source files).
Hours and location
Expo 86 Design operates by appointment, so call or email to schedule a consultation. Street parking is available near the studio. The firm is closed Sundays and Mondays.
Verify hours before visiting, as holiday schedules and project deadlines occasionally alter availability.
Why this matters in Chattanooga
Local businesses need design that reflects the professional standards of an increasingly competitive market. Expo 86 Design provides that without the price tag of a full-service agency, making a cohesive brand identity achievable for the small companies that power Chattanooga's economy.
