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Logo File Types

Standard Logo Design File Types

The following is a list of the standard file types and their uses that you will receive when you commission a logo from Donny Ash Design. If you need a different type of file for a specific purpose, please let us know and we will include it in the final package. We work with Adobe Illustrator for vector files, and Adobe Photoshop for raster files.


.EPS file: CMYK Color - Resolution independent.

The .EPS file is the master file of your logo, and the most versitile.  All of the other file types are created from this. You will need special software to work with this, or often to preview it on your home computer.  We use Adobe Illustrator, although programs such as Corel Draw will also work. The .EPS file is fully editable with all fonts converted to outlines(shapes).  We do this because fonts are just like software and to own/use a font you must buy its licence. If we did not convert the font to a shape (also called Outlining or Flattening) then you would need to buy a copy of the font from the appropriate vendor - which you are of course welcome to do. 

The .EPS file is a vector file and therefore Resolution Independant. This means the logo can be scaled as large or as small as needed (using the correct software) without suffering any loss of quality.  This is the format best preferred by professional printers.

You will receive 4 versions of your logo in .EPS format:

  • The Master file in full CMYK (general purpose professional printing)
  • The Master using Pantone Colors (for maximum color reliability),
  • The Master in Black only (used on light backgrounds when only one color is allowed)
  • The Master in White only (used on dark colored backgrounds)


.JPG files (or JPEG as it is often called): RGB Color - 300dpi.

The 300dpi .JPG file is the one most commonly used for home/office printing in applications like Word or PowerPoint.  When using programs such as this, the final output is often printed using your inkjet/laser jet printer. In order to insure that your logo looks its best, the .JPG file that we provide is set to 300 dots per inch or "dpi" - which is a high resolution image. We provide several sizes because a .JPG file is resolution dependent. This means that it can loose its crisp look when scaled too large or too small. The sizes we send are usually sufficient for most things you will need to do with your logo.  If you need anything else you can contact us, or get the help of a designer with the correct tools to create other sizes as necessary.

You will receive 4 versions of your logo in 300 dpi .JPG format:

  • Large size - for printing approximately 8" x 10" (good for backgrounds/watermarks).
  • Medium size - for printing approximately 4" x 6". (good for Title Pages in documents)
  • Small size - for printing approximately 1.5" x 2" (good for header and footer images)
  • Large size Gray-scale - same as Large size above - mainly for Trademark purposes

The .JPG file in Gray-scale is provided so that you can seek trademark status for your logo as most trademark organizations will only accept images that are in gray-scale.

 

Standard Transparent File Formats

There are times when you will want to use your logo on a colored background such as on a website or in a powerpoint presentation. While the .EPS format has a natural transparent background, this format is unsuitable for those applications, and .JPG files are unable to support transparency. This is why we also provide two additional file formats, .GIF (pronounced "JIF"), and .PNG (pronounced "PING").  These files are created at 72 ppi(or Pixels Per Inch), which is the standard resolution for monitor/website graphics.

 

Why are there two different versions?

.GIF files do not scale very well and are limited to 8bit color.  This is great for keeping the file size small as it means a faster download for viewers of your website. It is also the only transparent file format for computers running old internet browsers (pre 2006). Because .GIF files do not resize well, it is important for us to know the exact size it is needed at. If you are unsure - use the .PNG format. Scaling .GIF files will result in a condition called The Jaggies.  Unless you are concerned that people using old computers/browsers cannot see your website, you do not need the .GIF format. We provide it out of courtesy only.

You will receive 3 versions of your logo in .GIF format. The actual final size is measured in pixels (or px) and will depend on the height/width ratio of your final logo:

  • Web-size Color - maximum 150px x 250px.  Good for Banner Ads, Header graphics, and email signatures.
  • Web-size Black - maximum 150px x 250px.  Same usage as above, except 1 color (black).
  • Web-size White - maximum 150px x 250px.  Useful when you wish to feature your logo on a dark colored background.

.PNG files scale better than .GIF files, and they can contain up to 32 bits of color (That's alot!) including transparency. They are useful in programs such as Word and PowerPoint, and are the new format of choice for Web Browsers. 

You will receive 3 versions of your logo in .PNG format.  The actual final size will depend on the height/width ratio of your logo:

  • Web-size Color - maximum 150px x 250px.  Good for Banner Ads, Header graphics, and email signatures.
  • Web-size Black - maximum 150px x 250px.  Same usage as above, except 1 color (black).
  • Web-size White - maximum 150px x 250px.  Useful when you wish to feature your logo on a dark colored background.

 Have additional questions about logo file types or purposes? please Contact Us.