How to Outsource Video Post-Production (2026 Guide)

Dima Artistry · 2026-10-11 · 7 min

Scope the job, pick the right package, price the quote and review versions on the picture: a step-by-step method to hand your editing and colour grading to an external studio.

Outsourcing video post-production means handing editing, colour grading, sound and motion design to a specialist studio while your team focuses on shooting, strategy and clients. In 2026 it has become common practice for many European agencies and brands. This guide sets out the method we use at Dima Artistry, a French- and English-speaking studio in Casablanca, so that the handover is simple and the result lives up to your standards.

Why outsource post-production?

Three reasons come up most often:

Handling peaks without hiring: a campaign, a trade show or a batch of social content landing at the same time.
Accessing skills you don't have in-house: cinema-grade colour grading, sound design, broadcast-standard mixing, motion design.
Controlling budget: according to La Fabrique du Net, the median budget for a professional video made by an agency in France is €6,500, and around €5,250 for editing only (checked on 11/10/2026). A studio that only does post-production, from your footage, can publish much lower prices.

Step 1 — Define the scope

Before sending anything, write down in a few lines what you expect:

the final length of each video and the number of versions (16:9, vertical for Reels, TikTok and Shorts);
the amount of footage to review — it drives logging and selection time;
the finishing you need: basic or cinema grade, mixing, sound design, graphics, subtitles;
the deadline and release date.

These four facts are enough for a reliable price. At Dima Artistry they map exactly to the fields of our online quote calculator (in French, prices in euros).

Step 2 — Pick a package

Our video packages are public and can be combined with options:

Basic editing: from €150 + €8 per finished minute — clean cut, transitions, HD export.
Full package: from €800 + €35 per minute — premium edit, sound design, motion design and cinema grade.
Motion design: from €500 + €22 per minute.
Options: advanced grading, burnt-in subtitles, vertical version, advanced mix, express delivery (+30%) or economy (−15%).

Footage review is charged per 10 minutes of rushes, with a lower rate beyond two hours. For example, a 3-minute video cut from 30 minutes of footage costs €186 excluding VAT with basic editing; a 5-minute film from one hour of footage costs €1,017 with the full package.

What about audio and photo?

Audio mixing for picture starts at €200 + €12 per minute, and photo retouching at €3 per image, with volume discounts. Everything can be combined in one quote.

Step 3 — Prepare and send the footage

Good preparation saves days:

sort files by shooting day and by camera, and don't rename them afterwards;
include separate audio, licensed music, logos and brand guidelines;
flag preferred takes or a rough sequence order if you have one.

We open a Frame.io or WeTransfer Pro space for your project. If you wish, we sign your NDA before any transfer, and media are deleted according to your instructions when the project ends.

Checklist before you send footage

One folder per shooting day, one sub-folder per camera, original file names kept.
Separate audio recordings synced or clearly labelled, with the take numbers from the slate.
Music licences, fonts, logos and brand guidelines in a "graphics" folder.
A short written brief: target audience, tone, final lengths, formats, deadline.
One or two reference videos you like — they save a full review round.
The name of the person who gives final approval, to avoid conflicting feedback.

Ten minutes spent on this list often saves a day of back-and-forth once editing has started.

Step 4 — Review versions

Feedback is given directly on the picture with time-coded comments — no more long e-mail threads. A project manager gathers notes and follows you to the final master. Morocco is on GMT+1 all year (GMT during Ramadan): the same time as Paris in winter, one hour behind in summer, so you can work in real time.

Step 5 — Receive the deliverables

Masters are delivered to European standards (Rec.709, EBU R128 loudness), with SRT, VTT or STL subtitles when needed. Invoices are in euros, paid by SEPA transfer or card; above €3,500 a 40% deposit is due on order.

Mistakes to avoid

Comparing quotes with different scopes: an agency budget often includes shooting and concept. Compare post-production with post-production.
Forgetting extra formats: planning the vertical version from the start costs less than asking after approval.
Sending every clip "just in case": footage review is paid time. Do a first selection.

In short

Outsourcing post-production comes down to a clear scope, a transparent package, well-organised footage and reviews on the picture. To see how we compare with French studios, read our comparison with Paris post-production studios, or estimate your project with the quote calculator.

FAQ

How much does outsourced video editing cost?

At Dima Artistry basic editing starts at €150 excluding VAT, plus €8 per finished minute and footage review. A 3-minute video from 30 minutes of footage costs €186.

Do I need to be on site?

No. The brief happens on a video call, footage travels through Frame.io or WeTransfer Pro and approvals are done online.

What turnaround should I expect?

5 to 7 days for a standard video, 24 to 48 hours in express (+30%).