In the ever-evolving world of animation, film production, and digital storytelling, storyboarding stands out as one of the most vital and foundational steps. It’s the process where a vision becomes visual, turning abstract ideas into tangible frames that map out every moment of your future content. Whether you’re producing a full animated series, launching a product explainer, or considering Whiteboard Animation services for your business, understanding the different types of storyboards can save you time, money, and creative headaches.

This guide explores the various types of storyboards, how they fit into different creative workflows, and why choosing the right one is essential—especially when budget is on the line. We’ll also touch on the frequently asked question: how much does it cost to make an animated series, and how storyboarding plays a critical role in managing that cost.

What Is a Storyboard?

A storyboard is a sequence of drawings, images, or frames that visually represent scenes in a video, animation, or digital experience. Think of it as a visual outline—a blueprint of the narrative. Each frame typically includes notes about actions, transitions, dialogue, camera angles, and more.

Storyboarding is a pre-production tool used in:

Animation production

Film and video creation

Marketing and explainer content

Product demos and instructional design

UX and app workflows

Without it, creators are essentially guessing their way through production.

Why Are Storyboards So Important?

Storyboards allow for:

Better communication between directors, designers, clients, and editors

Early troubleshooting of visual or narrative issues

Budget control, as inefficiencies are spotted before production begins

Creative clarity when pitching to investors, clients, or producers

When you ask, how much does it cost to make an animated series, a large part of the answer depends on how well you’ve prepared—and that begins with solid storyboarding.

Types of Storyboards You Should Know

Different projects require different tools. Here are the most popular and effective types of storyboards used across industries:

1. Traditional Storyboard

This is the most classic format: hand-drawn or digitally illustrated panels arranged in sequence. Each frame represents a moment in time, along with written cues.

Best for:

Films

TV series

Commercial videos

Why use it:

It gives full visual control to the director and allows for detailed scene planning. Most animated productions, including series, start here.

2. Thumbnail Storyboard

These are quick, small sketches used in the early ideation phase. They aren't detailed but help shape the general structure and visual direction.

Best for:

Brainstorming

Early concept testing

Why use it:

They’re fast to create and flexible, making them ideal for pitching visual flow to a team.

3. Animatic Storyboard

This takes your storyboard and sequences it into a timed video with audio. It’s essentially a rough edit of your animation.

Best for:

Animation series

Music videos

Explainers with tight timing needs

Why use it:

An animatic is critical in estimating scene duration and pacing—an essential component in budgeting when asking how much does it cost to make an animated series.

4. Photoboard (Photo Storyboard)

Instead of illustrations, this format uses actual photos of scenes or actors to map out the story.

Best for:

Live-action shoots

Commercials with real environments

Why use it:

It provides a realistic look at camera angles and settings.

5. Digital Storyboard

Created entirely with software like Storyboarder or Toon Boom, digital storyboards offer clean visuals, collaboration tools, and often the ability to convert directly into animatics.

Best for:

Remote teams

Digital agencies

Animation studios

Why use it:

It’s efficient, editable, and easy to share across platforms.

6. Whiteboard Storyboard

Often used for explainer videos, whiteboard storyboards are drawn in a sequential, hand-sketched style that mimics what will appear on-screen in the final video.

Best for:

Educational content

SaaS product explainers

Startup branding videos

Why use it:

When paired with Whiteboard Animation services, these storyboards directly inform the animation style, transitions, and pacing.

Whiteboard Animation Services and the Role of Storyboards

Whiteboard Animation services are increasingly popular for businesses looking to explain complex ideas simply and affordably. But like any production process, storyboards are crucial.

Why?

They map out every visual element in advance.

They allow the client to review and request changes before costly animation begins.

They help voiceover artists match tone and timing.

If you're outsourcing Whiteboard Animation services, ask to see and approve the storyboard before full production. This step alone can prevent major misalignments in tone, pacing, or visuals.

How Storyboarding Affects Production Costs

If you’re wondering how much does it cost to make an animated series, the answer varies widely. However, storyboarding is one of the best ways to predict, manage, and reduce production costs.

Here’s how:

Efficient Planning: Identifying scene redundancies or visual gaps early can save thousands in animation time.

Client Alignment: Storyboards act as checkpoints. Fewer revisions later mean lower costs.

Scope Control: They make it easy to prioritize must-have scenes vs. optional content, which is crucial for staying within budget.

In general, a basic animated series can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000+ per minute depending on style, complexity, and region. A solid storyboard can save 10–20% of that cost by streamlining production.

Best Practices for Using Storyboards in Any Project

To get the most out of your storyboarding process:

Start Early – Use thumbnails in the ideation phase.

Iterate Often – Don’t lock yourself into the first version.

Get Stakeholder Input – Let clients or producers weigh in early.

Use Tools – Digital platforms like Boords, Canva, and Storyboard That can speed up the process.

Turn It Into an Animatic – Especially if timing and voiceover are involved.

Final Thoughts

In today’s competitive visual media landscape, jumping straight into production without a roadmap is risky and costly. No matter the size of your project—be it a whiteboard explainer or a full-blown animated series—understanding the different types of storyboards ensures creative clarity, financial efficiency, and a smoother production process.

So before you ask how much does it cost to make an animated series, ask yourself: have you built a solid storyboard yet? If not, it’s time to put pencil to paper (or stylus to screen) and start shaping your vision the smart way.

Ready to bring your ideas to life through visuals?

Partner with professional animated videos or a full-service studio that emphasizes storyboarding in their workflow. Your budget—and your audience—will thank you.