What are all these different logo file types?

Your designer just sent you the final set of logo files, but what is the difference between these file types? You may be wondering where you’d use each type and what type of file you’re supposed to send when you need it printed somewhere and what type you’re supposed to use online.

So…what are the file types?

• .eps or .ai - These are vector files. If you’re sending a file to a designer or to be printed on a t-shirt or banner, this is typically the type of file they prefer. It allows them to use the logo at large sizes without the quality degrading.

• .jpg - You’re probably the most familiar with this one. This is a pretty flexible file type that can be used in many places. For some projects this may be the preferred file type, for others, it may be acceptable, but not ideal. Your designer will likely specify that they want a high res .jpg file, so that it’s the most flexible for them to work with, then they can adjust the file size down, if necessary, for the particular image use.

• .png - These often have a transparent background and are good to use on websites so that you don’t end up with a white rectangle around your logo. (If your website is in Squarespace, this is what we’ll use when adding your logo.)

• .svg - These are also vector images. Some web platforms allow you to use this file type for your logo (If your website is in Squarespace, we won’t use this.)

We’re sponsoring an event and they’ve asked for a logo file. I’m not sure what all they’re asking for…

• They’ll often ask for an .eps or .ai file. They want your logo to look good and this makes sure that it will look crisp even at larger sizes. They may be able to make do with a .png or .jpg, but these often look blurry or pixellated.

• They know how they plan to use it and may ask for a single-color logo. (ex. If they need the logos to print on the back of a t-shirt, they’ll often print everything in black and it’s best that you send a black logo.)

My designer has asked for a vector image, but I just have this one low-res .jpg file. This should work, right?

If possible, check back with the designer who created your logo. They should be able to provide you with the file type that you need. You want your logo to look clean and crisp wherever it’s being used, not for it to be small and blurry next to everyone else’s clean, crisp logos. The designer you’re sending it to will make it work with whatever you send, but they can’t make your file look any better than it already does. They want you to be happy with your logo placement and that requires a quality file.