Quick answer: A professional explainer video usually takes 2 to 4 weeks to make. Simple videos can be done in about a week. Complex videos with custom characters or 3D can take 6 to 8 weeks. The biggest time factors are script approval, the number of revisions, and how fast you give feedback.
What is the typical explainer video timeline?
Here is what a normal 60 to 90 second project looks like at most studios:
- Week 1: Script and plan. The studio learns about your product, writes the script, and you approve it.
- Week 2: Storyboard and design. You see sketches of each scene, then the final designed frames in your brand style.
- Week 3: Animation. The designs come to life with movement, timing, and transitions.
- Week 4: Voice and sound. Voiceover is recorded, music is added, and final touches are made.
At Motion Graphix we run these steps in a tight 5-stage process, and most videos are delivered in 2 to 3 weeks.
What makes a video take longer?
Most delays are avoidable. These are the usual causes:
- Slow feedback. If a script sits in your inbox for a week, the whole project moves back a week.
- Too many decision makers. Five people with five opinions means five rounds of changes.
- Changing the script late. Changing words after animation starts means redoing finished work.
- Complex styles. Custom characters, 3D scenes, and heavy effects all add days or weeks.
- Missing materials. Waiting on brand files, screen recordings, or product access slows the start.
How can I get my video faster?
You control more of the timeline than you might think. Three habits make projects fast:
- Reply within 24 hours. Fast feedback is the single biggest speed boost.
- Pick one point person. Collect feedback from your team, then send it in one message.
- Lock the script before design. Words are cheap to change. Animation is not.
If you have a hard deadline, like a product launch or a trade show, tell the studio on day one. Read more about planning in our launch video strategy guide.
How long does each video length take?
- 15 to 30 seconds (social ad or teaser): about 1 to 2 weeks.
- 60 to 90 seconds (standard explainer): about 2 to 4 weeks.
- 2 to 3 minutes (detailed demo or training): about 4 to 6 weeks.
Not sure what length you need? Our guide on explainer video length breaks it down.
Is a faster video a worse video?
Not always. Speed comes from a clear process, not from cutting corners. A studio that has made hundreds of software videos has templates for scripts, proven scene structures, and a team that works in parallel. That is very different from rushing.
Be careful with anyone promising a full custom video in 2 or 3 days. That usually means stock templates with your logo dropped in.
FAQ
How long does a 60 second animated video take?
Usually 2 to 4 weeks with a professional studio, including script, design, animation, and voiceover.
Can I get an explainer video in one week?
Yes, if the video is short, the style is simple, and you give feedback the same day. Ask the studio about rush options before you start.
How many revisions are included?
Most studios include 2 to 3 revision rounds per stage. Giving clear, combined feedback in each round keeps you inside those limits.
Have a deadline in mind? Tell us your date and we will tell you honestly if we can hit it. You can also see recent work in our portfolio.
