When a logo project finishes, you should be handed far more than one image. Knowing which logo file formats you need, and what each is for, saves time every time a printer, sign maker or web developer asks for “the logo”. With our logo design projects, you receive vector master files (AI, EPS and SVG), print-ready PDFs and PNG and JPG versions, so every job has the right file ready.
The files you should receive
Vector master files are the originals. AI, EPS and SVG files are built from shapes rather than pixels, so the logo scales from a business card to the side of a building without losing sharpness. Keep these safe, because every other version is made from them.
PNG and JPG files are for everyday use on screen. A PNG can have a transparent background, which makes it the usual choice for placing a logo over a photograph or a coloured panel. A JPG has a solid background and suits documents and email attachments where transparency is not needed. A print-ready PDF is what most printers ask for, because it keeps the artwork exactly as it was designed.
Which file for which job
- Signs, vehicle livery and large-format print: the vector master or a print-ready PDF.
- Stationery, brochures and packaging: a print-ready PDF or vector file, with CMYK or Pantone colour values.
- Your website and social media: SVG or PNG, with RGB and HEX colour values.
- Email signatures and documents: a PNG at a sensible size.
Colour values matter as much as the files. Your logo should come with values for print (CMYK and Pantone) and for screen (RGB and HEX), so the red on your van matches the red on your website.
Variants matter too. A full-colour logo is no use for a rubber stamp or an engraved plate, and a dark version can disappear on a dark background. That is why we supply full-colour, single-colour and reversed versions, and test the logo at small sizes, in one colour and at large scale before it leaves the studio.
Questions to ask before you sign off
Before you accept a logo from any designer, ask a few plain questions. Do I get vector master files? Are single-colour and reversed versions included? Will I get colour values for print and screen? Are brand guidelines part of the job? And who owns the copyright? With us, full copyright transfers to you once the project is complete and paid for, and brand guidelines are included as standard.
If you are still weighing up the budget for a new logo, our guide to what it costs to hire a logo designer in Ireland is a good place to start.
Want a logo that arrives with every file you will need? Get in touch or email info@designminds.ie and we will arrange a free consultation.
