10 Logo Files Every Business Owner Should Own

By Author: Kerry White
Total Articles: 1
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Since your logo is one of the most important parts of your marketing arsenal, it's important that you have a variety of logo versions on file. Having different file formats and color variations of your logo design will help you when you need to submit it to vendors, service providers, and other graphic designers. Different companies need different file formats depending on what programs they use and what the logo is going to be used on.

Let's discuss file formats first:

1) You should always ask for the original design file, which should be in a vector platform, so that you always have a logo version that you can scale (large or small) without ever compromising the quality. This file will also allow you, or a graphic designer, to make any edits to the logo design in the future.

Be sure to find out what font was used, so that you can use in your other marketing materials. Remember - keeping things consistent will help towards your brand identity. And if you end up working with another designer down the road, knowing your font will save you tons of time trying to find the matching font.

2) It's also ...
... a good idea to have an outlined version of your original logo design file. This means that the font is converted into shapes, which eliminates the chances of your logo printing incorrectly since the font is no longer a font.

3) Be sure to ask for the logo in EPS format (Encapsulated PostScript) in anticipation of future printing purchases, which is the preferred file format for many printers.

3) Having PDF versions of your logo design will provide a way for you to view your logo design, even if you don't have fancy design programs. A PDF (Portable Document File) will open with a free download of Adobe Acrobat Reader.

4) Some ad vendors, printers, and other services require a TIFF (Tag Image File Format) at 300 DPI (Dots Per Inch).

5) JPEG & GIF formats are great for web and email use. They're also easily viewed with picture gallery programs.

Now we'll cover color variations:

6) A logo design in full CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, blacK) color is great for four color printing and for anything you'll print out on your own desktop printer.

7) Pantone color images are cost effective to use when you're having marketing materials printed on a press. If you're printing digitally, this isn't an issue.

8) RGB (Red, Green, Blue) Color is good to use in your email or on your website. You should get these in JPEG or GIF files.

9) Having a Grayscale or Black & White image on hand is good when your logo has various colors or color shades in it. This way, you'll be able to submit your logo design to the newspaper or use it for any other purpose where black and white printing is in store.

This list may seem exhausting, but having these different logo design variations handy will save you time and frustration down the road. You'll never have to worry about recreating your logo for future projects. Plus - this is your logo design, you should own all the variations of it so that you can use it in anyway you see fit.

At Graphic Design Needs, our professional logo design Denver consultants can turn your vision into reality. Providing services nationwide, we also provide logo design Los Angeles services for startup and established businesses alike, with prices starting at only $150. Contact us today at: 888-501-8651 for more information.