Your logo plays a vital role in how your customers perceive you; the colours, fonts and images all work together in harmony. Spending hours developing it with your designer, finalising the specifics, so it sits perfectly within your brand.
How would you feel if you couldn’t use it because you don’t have the correct logo file type?
I’d be personally be devastated!
The file types you receive from your designer are so important.
What logo file types do you need?
The most important file for your logo is the vector.
All professional designers will create your logo as a vector. There will then be other file types you will receive that fall into the following categories.
✅ Vector
✅ Raster
What is the difference between a Vector and a raster?
A vector is an image created from multiple points connected by lines and curves; a raster is an image made up of lots of dots of colour. The difference is that a vector file is scalable without losing quality; a raster file is not. So if you want your logo to appear on the side of a bus, you can.
If you enlarge a raster logo, this is what happens.
No one wants a blurry, fuzzy logo, do they?
How do you know if you have the correct file types?
When you receive your brand or logo package from me or any designer you work with, you will receive your logo in many versions. Each has its use, whether it be for print or online. Knowing which one to use when and where will save time and avoid mistakes.
The main file extensions you will receive
.AI – Vector
.EPS – Vector
.PDF – Vector (when created in Illustrator) or Raster
.SVG – Vector
.JPEG – Raster
.PNG – Raster
A closer look at each of the extensions
AI - Adobe Illustrator file
An AI file is a drawing created in Adobe Illustrator. Illustrator is the platform a professional designer will use to create a logo as it works with Vectors. Having the AI file means that you can edit your logo further down the line if need be, from changing colours to text.
EPS - Encapsulated PostScript
An EPS is the old industry-standard vector format that has stopped evolving and has taken over by the native Adobe file formats. It can contain images, graphics and text.
PDF - Portable Document Format
A PDF file is openable by any software on any computer keeping the layout the same. They can contain text, images, graphs, buttons and fillable forms. Making them the go-to file format for ebooks, documents and even logos, as when created in Illustrator, the PDF will be a vector file, but it will be a raster when saved from other programs.
SVG - Scalable Vector Graphics
The SVG file type is an XML-based image format for two-dimensional graphics. Developed as the vector format for use online, it can include animation and interactivity.
Jpeg - Joint Photographic Experts Group
A Jpeg is the widely used file type for photographs or image files. They are compressed raster images that work in a digital platform, such as a website. A Jpeg of your logo is usable for print if it is at the correct size and level of quality. When using a JPEG in a document to be printed, confirm that it is at the required size you need. Any scaling will lose quality and affect how it will look once printed.
PNG - Portable Network Graphics
A PNG is an uncompressed raster image that has a transparent background. It is for use online as it is only ever in RGB colour format. If used in print, there will be colour differences. It is best to use this format when you need a detailed graphic online.
Having your logo in all the formats for print and online will save you the stress further down the line and guarantees it looks fab no matter where you use it.
I know there is a lot to remember; that’s why I have created the file type cheat sheet for you to download. You can use it whenever you need to check which file to use or when double-checking you have received everything from your designer
Confused with your logo?
Download my FREE logo file type cheat sheet here!
Not received a vector from your designer?
I can help recreate your logo from just £50 get in touch today.
