November 21, 2022

How To Choose The Right Logo File Format

Choosing the right logo file format can sometimes be confusing for some people.
Let's find out how to use an appropriate format for a particular use!

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Logo designers need to learn more than just how to make a good and representative product. In this business, a designer needs to finish the job with the right product. It includes giving the right file. Thus, you (a designer) will need to learn that each file format can mean different usages. Some designs might have specific goals in uses and characteristics.

It is granted that digital media is full of varying extensions. However, for graphic logos or products, most people will learn about JPEG or PNG. Is that enough? Of course not. More logo file formats come with different graphic structures. Do you use vectors or rasters? The different contexts and uses will affect your choices. So, check out this information.

Know The Graphic Format (Vector And Raster)

Before you learn about the file, it is necessary to learn about the graphic format itself. The logo file can change based on your graphic format. One might be comparable with another, or some might need further processing methods. So, do you know what graphic format you are going to work with? You need to know the answer before deciding on the final file.

In many digital image products, there are two different graphic formats. It is the raster and vector images. The two types are obtainable by saving the logo project from the application. Raster or bitmap is the format that you will work with photoshop. Meanwhile, the vector file will be the Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW export.

Most professionals will work using the vector design. Thus, they are likely to work with illustrators or some similar type of program. Even though it is possible to work with a raster-based design, it can cause you problems in the future. The idea goes to the lack of scalability in the raster image.

So, which of the logo files do you need? The best answer is the vector logo. It has a better scalability aspect and won't look bad upon scaling up or down. On the other hand, the raster image is the format you need to avoid for a flexible design. The reason goes to the fact that bitmap can lose resolution and look weird when scaled.

The bitmap or raster logo file design uses pixels. It means that scaling up the design will only make the pixel get bigger. Thus, creating a broken picture. The only way you can fix the format is by creating a specific size to fit the usage. It is not ideal for you who want to make a flexible logo. It also limits your chance to alter your logo file format in the future.

So, which one should you choose? Again, the answer goes back to your logo project. What is it for, and does it need to be scaled up or not? The raster offers a clearer and more detailed result. However, it is hardly scalable. Meanwhile, the vector gives clean shapes without pixels. Thus it is easier to scale up or down. After you know it, you can move to the extension.

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The Type Of File For Your Logo

How did you know or see the file format? If you are working with a logo, you will get the option in the export or save menu. However, you can also see it through the extension. The extension is the following data information that comes at the end of the digital data. Some of the examples are .AI, .html, .gif, .docx, and many more.

If you are looking for the best format, the answer should be in the vector-based image file. There are some options that you can choose based on the uses, criteria, space, or bandwidth. The good news is, some of the common extensions are obtainable through raster or vector images. Here are some of them.

1. Master File (AI, PSD, CDR, Etc.)

When you are working on a logo design project, it is a customary and fundamental right that you include the master file. So, what is a master file? The final product will be in the original format related to the designing software. The designer tends to use this kind of data to bring a chance for future edit.

The master is also called a source file or working file. Thus, it has the same definition as its name. So, do you need to include the logo format? If you have a plan to modify or reduce the quality of the logo, you will need the said master extension. Again, the format will depend on your program.

If you are using adobe illustrator to make the logo, the file format will be AI. Photoshop will use the .pdf extension and the CorelDRAW is .cdr. It goes the same with other kinds of applications. The benefit is that you or the next designer can open and work around it without reducing the graphic quality.

However, the designer can only open the logo file format if they have the same application. In other words, you will need Adobe Illustrator to open the old .ai file. If you don't have the same application, you cannot open and make the best use of the logo file. That is why some professionals decide to use the universal extension such as eps or many other options.

2. JPEG And JPG Joint Photographic Experts Group

One of the most common options for graphic files is JPEG or JPG. The two extensions' names are the same, and both work mainly for the raster-based image format. Most of the time, it was meant for print or web use. Since it has a raster image design, it is the best option for photographs. It can capture all of the little detail in the image.

Is it good for logos? In general, it does. But it is a raster-based image. Thus, it does not support better scalability. It is also noticeable that the extension cannot support a transparent background. It can be quite troublesome for a logo design and its flexible uses. JPEG or JPG needs a proper, correct size or resolution to make it work.

As a digital product, the JPEG has some advantages. In the portability point, the logo file is considerably small. It is highly compressible, which helps create a lighter data size for upload or web page uses. The compatibility aspect is also over the top. You can open the logo file format for almost all devices and software.

One the image quality, you will have a vibrant logo design with this format. It supports 24 bits of color that can work with 16 million colors in the end. For the compression options, the file has varying degrees. You can compress it according to your need, application, and usage. So, you can use it for many work and sizes.

3. PNG Portable Network Graphic

PNG works the same as JPEG. The format is mostly used for digital purposes, which is why it has quite a lot of features compared to JPEG or JPG. One thing that you need to consider about PNG is the raster-based graphic format. In other words, it cannot be scaled up easily without looking pixelated.

It makes the PNG have the same disadvantage for graphic design. You have to make it have the correct resolution and size before using it. So, if your client wants a more flexible or corresponding logo design, prepare to make more than just one file. However, PNG is the only format that supports a transparent background.

It is one of the advantages that you will get upon using PNG. It can help you create a more advanced-looking logo for websites or social media. Another good point is how it works as the SVG logo file alternative. When the website CMS cannot support the data, high-quality PNG will work better.

PNG file format is another highly compatible option. It also has compression options to cope with your logo application or uses. Even though you compress and decompress the image size, PNG mostly won't lose its quality. In the graphic quality aspect, PNG can display millions of colors thanks to its raster-image format. That is why it is perfect for digital media uses.

4. SVG Scalable Vector Graphic

One of the best logo file formats is SVG. It is a vector-based graphic that is mostly meant for web usage. So, you can tell that the logo file will have a lighter size and highly compressed details. Thanks to its vector image, the format has a better scalability aspect. You can compress and scale it up or down without affecting its quality.

The good point of this extension is the transparent background support. The point will elevate your design and make the usage way more tractable. Another good point goes to its compatibility. SVG is one of the ideal extensions for basic graphics products. It works best for logos and icons since it is easier to scale.

If you want to use the file in the future or provide the original data for another designer, SVG helps better usage. It is because you can open the logo file using almost every kind of graphic processing program, such as illustrator or web browser. So, it will be easier to edit in the future. You can use it for printed media as long as the printer accepts the file format.

The key takeaway is that SVG is one of the best options if you are going to use the product for digital media. The file works best for websites and provides a crisper, sharper, and clearer image compared to JPG or PNG. It is also relatively lighter than PNG or JPG. That is why it is a web-friendly XML language solution.

5. EPS Encapsulated Postscript

If the SVG is the best logo file for the web application, the EPS is the best option for printed media. It works the same as SVG that has a vector-based image. Most logo designers will say that it is a gold standard for logos. The vector image makes it easier to scale up or down without affecting the picture quality.

The format itself can be obtained through the Adobe Illustrator export menu. What makes it different is a common application. EPS are meant for print. It is because not all of the printers can recognize the SVG format. Thus EPS logo files will likely work for any printing device.

With the help of mathematical vector formulas, it supports a transparent background and high scalability aspect. So, you better choose the EPS logo file format for a more flexible or corresponding design. It is because you can scale it as big as a billboard or use the logo design for smaller objects such as business cards.

The EPS format is also part of the master file. Many designers use it for future editing. That is why you can either send the original data or the eps format in the project work. In this case, the next designer can make a change or export it in a different file. However, again it is safe to check your software compatibility with EPS. If you can't open it, choose other options.

6. PDF Portable Document Format

Do you think PDFs are only for text files? Surprisingly it is not. Some designers might use PDF as their logo file format to provide better compatibility and uses. Most of the devices can handle PDF, whether it is for text or image. It also works with finder windows, readers, or even web browsers. That is why you can deliver the product using this extension.

The good point of PDF goes to its same formatting design. The portable document format will make your design or any kind of graphic work look the same on every device. Thus, creating a great quick product to use. However, once the logo is exported in PDF, you cannot do much to it. The best thing you can do is scale it up or down.

PDF can come as a vector image if it is generated through a vector-based program, such as illustrator. In other words, it has good scalability points. But again, it is also possible to produce a raster image using PDF. So, be careful of your work. Since you are working and looking for a logo file format, try to use a vector PDF extension.

One of the advantages of PDF goes to its flexibility. You can export it using any kind of program. It also has varying quality depending on what you want it to use. Most of the time, the PDF for printing tends to have a higher resolution. Meanwhile, for the web, the lower quality can help elevate the loading time.

The Consideration

So, which one do you need to choose? The answer goes back to the design application, usage, and goals. You need to consider the image format, size, quality, and compatibility. The proper logo file should suffice the client's needs. Here are some of the quick takeaways that you can use to decide the best format options.

1. Vector Files For Printing

Since you are going to work with a logo, the best image format will always be vector. Vectors use mathematical formulas to make their shapes and colors. It does not use pixels, which is why vectors are highly scalable. It makes vectors have a very vast and flexible application. You can use it for web or digital media and also work for printing products. In this case, use SVG, EPS, or PDF.

2. EPS Or SVG For Future Edits

EPS or SVG are the two best options for logo file formats. Both support vector images, which again is the best image format for logos. The idea of using EPS or SVG is to provide the designer with data for future edit. The two choices allow designers to alter the design and open it in many graphic designs related applications.

3. PNG Offer Transparent Background

If you are working with a raster or bitmap logo, then the best option is PNG. It is a raster image. Thus, make sure you got the size and the resolution right. However, the reason for using PNG goes to its flexibility as digital data. It is light in size and easy to use for many purposes. You can use it for the watermark, presentation, or web element.

Another thing that makes PNG worth picking up is the transparent background. You can use it to enhance the design and make it better in many applications. The logo file format is also one of the many familiar options to pick. It works with all kinds of devices and is also easier to use in any kind of campaign.

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Conclusion

When talking about logo products, it is safe to say that the format needs to be thought carefully. The conventional option is using the vector image format, which can be obtained through applications. It works with AI or CorelDRAW. For the logo file itself, you can choose based on the uses and needs. As an example, PNG for digital practice and lighter size.