The must-have logo file types your creative business needs
Finishing up your branding project and getting those shiny new brand identity files from your designer is such an exciting moment! But then comes the part where you stare at a bunch of file types wondering, "What do I do with these?" I'm here to support you with this handy guide to understanding the files your designer sends you and what to use them for.
Vector Files (.SVG, .AI or .EPS):
Best for: logo files, printed materials, laser or die cutters, PR
These are your master logo files and the most crucial ones your designer will send you. Why? Because they can be resized to any size without losing their crispness or sharpness. Plus, they're editable, which means if you ever need to tweak your logo down the road—maybe for a mini brand makeover—it's a breeze for another designer to jump in and make changes. Pro tip: Always keep a backup (or two) of these files safe somewhere, just in case. Vectors are super handy because you can save them in lots of different ways. So, if something happens to your other files, you can always recreate them from the vector file. It's like having a safety net!
Graphic Files (.PNG):
Best for: websites, Canva, email newsletters
Perfect for all things digital, like your website or social media. I usually get send three versions to my clients: full color, white, and black. Having options is handy, especially if your color logo doesn't work well with certain backgrounds. Black and white versions can look cleaner and are easier to read. They can even have a transparent background, which makes them perfect for uploading to graphic editors such as Canva or Adobe Express.
Raster Files (.JPG or .JPEG):
Best for: social media, product photographs, print
.JPGs are raster images are digital images made up of pixels. They’re suitable for representing complex visual information, such as photographs or detailed illustrations, because raster images have a fixed number of pixels, they can get a bit blurry or pixelated if you try to make them bigger. So, while they're great for detailed photos or illustrations, they might not be the best choice if you need something that can be resized without losing quality, like a logo or vector graphic. Usually, you'll get two versions: a low-res version for online stuff, like websites, and a higher quality one for printing, like if you want to make flyers or business cards.
Just for fun (.GIFF):
Best for: social media, email newsletters
GIFs are the go-to choice for creating those fun little animations and short video clips that add a splash of excitement to your social media posts or email signatures. Whether it's a funny reaction, a cute dance move, or a mesmerising loop of your favourite scene, GIFs have a way of capturing attention and sparking engagement like no other.
I understand that figuring out the purpose of each file type can feel overwhelming, but I hope this guide has shed some light on their roles for you.
