When you’re looking to partner with a designer for logo creation it’s really important that you know which files you should be receiving, so you can be sure that you have them to hand should you need them down the line.

In this post I’m going to give you a breakdown of the file types you need in a logo design package, and what they should be used for. 

Vector Files 

Vector files are infinitely expandable, meaning they don’t lose any of their resolution as you increase their size.  This is probably the most important logo file type you should receive from your designer, as it is the source file, your logo should always be designed in a vector format.

Vector file examples are – AI | EPS | SVG 

Raster files

Raster files are types of file that you would use when uploading an image onto the web.  These are pixel based and you should ideally have them in various sizes, I always send my clients each design element in a small (250px), medium (500px) and large (1000px), so they can use the most suitable size for their needs.

Raster file examples are JPG | PNG 

I also always include transparent PNG files, these are the main design element, but with a transparent background, so they can be placed over photographs or graphics, this is a really important one to include, so you can have a polished design. 

Print Files

Print files are in CMYK, whilst web files are RGB, usually CMYK tends to run a little darker than viewing images online so keep that in mind.

I always make sure that clients receive a folder containing all their graphics in CMYK so they’re print ready.

Full Colour + Black | White Versions

It’s really important that you have the ability to use your brand elements across a wide range of formats, so make sure that your designer gives you full colour files, plus all black and all white variations.  Sometimes your main logo may be quite detailed with coloured areas, in this case you should also be given an appropriate brand elements that is simplified in form so it can be used in one colour, this may just be the main text area which is absolutely fine, just make sure you have variants on the off chance it is needed.

PDF Files

PDF files are great to have at hand to view your brand visuals quickly and easily without having to go into a program, some printers also may request PDF files to work with, so it’s a good idea to include these too.

So for each graphic element that you have designed for you, you should make sure you have the vector formats, JPEG, transparent PNG in a variety of sizes and PDF, plus options for full colour and all black and all white.  This way you should be set for any future eventualities.