NobleNox DesignsLogo file formats explained: which files your business needs
Many founders receive a single logo file and discover the problem months later. The printer wants a different format, the website shows a white box around the logo, or the sign maker asks for a vector. Knowing which files to ask for at the start saves expensive delays.
Vector and raster: the one distinction that matters
Vector files are built from mathematical paths, so they can be scaled to any size, from a favicon to a billboard, without losing sharpness. Raster files are grids of pixels. They look fine at their original size and turn blurry when enlarged.
Your master logo should always be a vector. Raster files are made from it for specific uses.
The formats and what each one is for
| Format | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| SVG | Vector | Websites, apps and any digital use that needs to scale cleanly |
| Vector, when exported from design software | Printers, documents and sharing a logo that must stay sharp | |
| EPS | Vector | Older print workflows. Some suppliers still ask for it |
| AI | Vector, Adobe Illustrator source file | Editing by designers |
| PNG | Raster | Logos with a transparent background on websites, slides and social media |
| JPG | Raster | Places that do not support transparency. It will show a white box on dark backgrounds |
| Favicon (ICO or PNG) | Raster | The small icon in browser tabs, made from your icon version |
The variations every logo set should include
A single logo file is not a logo set. Ask for these versions:
- Primary logo: the full-colour version, usually horizontal
- Secondary logo: a stacked or compact version for square or narrow spaces
- Icon or monogram: a small mark for avatars, favicons and stamps
- One-colour black: for forms, stamps, newspapers and embroidery
- White (reversed): for dark backgrounds and photos
- Social avatar: a square version with padding, so a circular crop does not cut it off
Each version should exist as both vector and PNG files.
Colour versions: screen and print
Screens and printers make colour differently, so your files should include versions prepared for each. RGB is for screens, and CMYK is for print. Some bright screen colours cannot be reproduced exactly in ink, which is why the printed result can look duller. This guide to RGB and CMYK explains how to avoid surprises.
A folder structure to ask for
A tidy handover folder saves everyone time. Ask for something like this:
- vector: SVG, PDF, EPS and the editable source file
- png: transparent versions of every logo variation, in several sizes
- jpg: for the rare places that need it
- social: the square avatar and profile images
- favicon: the small icon files for your website
Common mistakes
- Sending a JPG to a printer. Always send a vector
- Enlarging a small PNG. It will blur. Go back to the vector master
- Stretching a logo to fit a space. Always scale it proportionally
- Using the full-colour logo on a busy photo. Use the white or reversed version
- Missing fonts. Ask your designer to convert text to outlines in the files they deliver, so the logo looks the same on every computer
A checklist to request at handover
- Vector masters in SVG, PDF and EPS, plus the editable source file
- Transparent PNGs of every version
- One-colour black and white versions
- A square social avatar and a favicon
- RGB and CMYK versions
- Written confirmation that you own the final files
If you are still choosing a logo style, start with the seven logo types and how to choose.
Want a complete, well-organised logo set that works on every platform? Start a project and I will deliver the full file pack.
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