The 2D Animation Outsourcing Process: From Start to Finish

In today’s fast-paced digital world, animated content is in demand across industries—marketing, education, gaming, entertainment, and beyond. With tight deadlines and high creative expectations, many studios and companies turn to outsource animation studios to bring their visions to life efficiently and cost-effectively.

But how does the outsourcing process actually work? What are the stages, checkpoints, and best practices that ensure a seamless, high-quality final product?

In this article, we’ll walk you through the full 2D animation outsourcing journey, from the first email to final delivery.

Why Outsource 2D Animation?

Before diving into the process, it’s worth understanding why outsourcing is often the smart choice:

• Cost savings: Hiring an in-house team for a one-off project is expensive. Outsourcing allows flexibility without long-term commitment.
• Scalability: Need to ramp up fast? Outsource animation studios have the manpower and workflows ready to go.
• Access to specialists: Whether you need frame-by-frame animators, rigging pros, or illustrators, outsourcing connects you with top talent worldwide.
• Faster turnaround: With dedicated teams working across time zones, outsourcing can significantly speed up production cycles.

Now let’s break down how it works—step by step.

Step 1: Initial Contact and Discovery

The process typically begins when a client reaches out to a studio with a project idea. This is the discovery phase, where the foundation is set.

What happens:

• Client explains the project scope (e.g., explainer video, series episode, in-game cutscene).
• The studio asks clarifying questions: length, style, target audience, deadline, budget.
• If available, the client provides a script, storyboard, or style reference.

Tips for clients:

• Be as detailed as possible. The more info you provide upfront, the smoother everything will go.
• Mention platform-specific needs (YouTube, broadcast, app, etc.).

At the end of this stage, the studio will send a proposal or quote, which includes:

• Scope of work
• Timeline
• Budget
• Payment terms
• Delivery milestones

Once both parties agree, the project moves into pre-production.

Step 2: Pre-Production Planning

This phase sets the creative and logistical direction for the animation. It’s a critical step that prevents problems later.

Key tasks:

• Script refinement (if needed): Ensuring the story works visually and within time constraints.
• Style frame creation: The studio designs a few sample frames showing the visual direction—colors, character design, backgrounds.
• Storyboard development: A visual breakdown of scenes, including camera angles, transitions, and timing cues.
• Animatic production: A rough timed video of the storyboard, often with placeholder audio. This gives a clear sense of pacing and structure.

Deliverables:

• Final script (if updated)
• Approved storyboard
• Approved animatic
• Visual style guide (color palette, character sheet, etc.)

Pre-production ensures alignment between the client and the outsource animation studio before full production begins.

Step 3: Production – The Animation Begins

With the plan locked, production kicks off. This is where the animation truly takes shape.

Stages in production:

1. Design & Illustration

• Full assets are created: characters, props, backgrounds.
• All artwork is aligned with the approved style frames and visual guide.

2. Rigging (if using cut-out or puppet animation)

• Characters are prepared for animation in software like Toon Boom, Moho, or After Effects.
• This includes setting up bones, controls, and expressions.

3. Animation

• Scene-by-scene animation is produced according to the animatic.
• This could be traditional frame-by-frame animation or puppet-style animation depending on the project.

4. Scene Assembly

• Scenes are composited with background, characters, FX, and camera movement.
• Any parallax effects, transitions, or visual tricks are added here.

Communication:

Most outsource animation studios will share WIPs (work-in-progress) regularly through cloud drives, review platforms (like Frame.io), or screen share meetings.

Expect weekly or biweekly updates with preview renders and feedback loops.

Step 4: Audio Integration

Depending on the agreement, the studio may handle:

• Voiceover recording
• Sound design
• Music composition or licensing
• Final mix and sync

If the client supplies audio, the studio syncs it with the animation. Otherwise, studios may offer professional VO talent and sound editors to create polished audio from scratch.

Step 5: Review & Revisions

Once a full draft of the animation is completed, it’s sent to the client for review. This phase typically includes:

• First review
• Notes and feedback
• Revision round(s)
• Final approval

To keep things efficient, studios often limit revision rounds (e.g., two minor revisions included in the contract). Clear, consolidated feedback from the client makes this stage smoother.

Best practices:

• Use timestamps to identify changes (“At 0:47, the character’s mouth doesn’t match the voice”).
• Prioritize feedback: what’s essential vs. what’s nice to have.

Step 6: Final Delivery

Once everything is approved, the studio prepares final deliverables:

• Full-resolution video (typically MP4, MOV, or image sequences)
• Versions with and without captions or text (if needed)
• Source project files (if agreed upon)
• Audio stems (if needed)

Files are usually delivered via cloud storage or secure file transfer.

If the project is part of a larger campaign (e.g., multi-episode series or social content batch), templates and assets are also handed off for consistency across future content.

Step 7: Post-Project Support (Optional)

Some outsource animation studios offer post-delivery support, such as:

• Re-formatting the animation for different platforms (e.g., square format for Instagram)
• Localizing content (subtitles, voiceover in other languages)
• Creating teaser clips or thumbnails

This adds long-term value and helps brands repurpose content across multiple channels.

What Makes a Great Animation Outsourcing Partner?

If you’re looking to hire a studio, here are key qualities to look for:

Clear communication

Language barriers and time zones shouldn’t be a problem. The studio should respond promptly, ask smart questions, and explain timelines clearly.

A strong portfolio

Look for styles and work that match your vision. Reputable studios will have showreels and case studies ready to share.

Transparent process

There should be no guesswork about timelines, pricing, and delivery. Look for studios with documented workflows like the one outlined in this article.

Quality over speed

Fast is great, but not at the cost of sloppy animation. Trust studios that set realistic deadlines and care about craft.

Client testimonials

See what past clients say. A reliable studio should have positive feedback from previous partnerships.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Underestimating the timeline
   2D animation takes time. A 60-second animated explainer can take weeks to produce, especially with original designs.
2. Vague feedback
   “The pacing feels off” doesn’t help much. Be specific so the team can act on it.
3. Skipping the animatic
   Skipping this critical step to “save time” usually results in rework later. The animatic ensures pacing and structure are aligned before animation begins.
4. Micromanaging
   Trust your animation partner. Once you’ve aligned on the brief and visual style, let them do their job.

Outsourcing 2D animation is not just a shortcut — it’s a strategic move that unlocks flexibility, talent, and quality at scale. When done right, it’s a collaborative process that brings creative visions to life without compromise.

Whether you’re a startup needing an explainer video, a game developer looking for cinematic cutscenes, or an agency producing branded content, working with experienced outsource animation studios allows you to deliver high-quality animation without building everything from scratch.

By understanding the process—from discovery to delivery—you’ll set your project up for success and build a long-lasting creative partnership that pays off again and again.

Need a reliable animation partner?

Ambermove Animation Studio, ambermove.us, specializes in 2D animation for clients around the world. Whether you need character animation, explainer videos, or serial production, we have the tools, team, and workflow to bring your story to life.