Logo File Formats Explained: Get These Four Formats From Your Designer
After weeks or months of putting your efforts into designing your logo, you’ve just arrived at your dream logo.
But wait don’t just stop there.
There are a bunch of files you need to get from your designer. Knowing which files to ask your designer and then putting them to good use can be quite confusing, especially if you have limited design knowledge.
Also, as a client it may feel as though getting into the nitty-gritty of these file types is beyond your scope of work. But knowing the basics goes a long way, doesn’t it?
Different files can be used for different projects — designing a website, a poster, a creative or a campaign T-shirt.
The Basics First
File types are identified by their extensions: .jpg, .png, .pdf, .eps, .ai and so on. So let’s demystify each of the most commonly used formats for you.
JPG (Joint Portable Graphic File)
This format is most commonly known because of its vast usage.
It is used in home or office printing by importing the file in Microsoft Office applications such as Word or PowerPoint and website images in FrontPage and HTML editors.
The use of it as a client and a designer is high because it is possible to compress it and reduce its file size — making it most suitable for sharing and archiving.
On the other hand, its quality is compromised every time it is compressed too much. The result? A pixelated image!
Ask your designer for the small, medium and large sizes of these files in 300dpi or high resolution.
PNG (Portable Network Graphic File)
This pixel-based format is used for websites, creatives, and digital stationery. It is mostly larger in size than a JPG file so may take longer to download.
PNG files come with many advantages. The most striking one of this format is that with resizing, there is no degradation in the quality of the image.
This format allows transparency, color accuracy and opacity of your logo, making it the gold standard for good-looking newsletters and presentations!
PDF (Portable Document Format)
PDF can be viewed on just about any device as most browsers, smartphones and tablets come with innate features needed to read this file type.
The key use of this file is during the Work In Progress of your logo design. You can view a high-resolution vector-based image of your logo on the go without needed professional design software.
In all likelihood, your designer will share only this file with you and will submit the .ai and .eps formats only when asked.
While a PDF provides a great preview, it is not to be used in its existing form in web design.
VECTOR (EPS, Encapsulated Postscript Vector or AI, Adobe Illustrator)
Vector files are based on simple geometric shapes such as points, lines and curves which render it with the ability of unlimited resolution.
It doesn’t lose its sharpness and quality when scaled up or down.
An EPS file contains both text and graphics that illustrate how a vector is meant to be drawn.
EPS and AI files are source files and these are the files that are to be shared when a print job for company swag (mugs, T-shirts, keychains etc.) is needed.
Make sure these files are kept safe with you, as these are the most useful for future print purposes and editing.
However, these files cannot be edited without professional design software such as Adobe Illustrator.
What Do You Think?
I hope you understood the differences between these file formats.
So what happens if you don’t have these formats and you’ve stopped working with the designer? Depending on the time that has gone by, looking for these files might be a painstaking process.
With LogoAi, you can design a logo in a jiffy and in the professional package, you get the High Resolution PNG, Vector EPS and SVG files, Transparent PNG and even Black & White versions.
It’s better to be well prepared from the beginning so that you have can put your logo to use in the future towards multiple projects!
