{"id":5657,"date":"2018-02-07T15:13:02","date_gmt":"2018-02-07T15:13:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/startwp.logomaker.com\/blog\/2018\/02\/07\/choosing-the-right-logo-file-formats\/"},"modified":"2024-03-07T16:10:17","modified_gmt":"2024-03-07T16:10:17","slug":"choosing-the-right-logo-file-formats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/startwp.logomaker.com\/blog\/choosing-the-right-logo-file-formats\/","title":{"rendered":"A Beginner\u2019s Guide to Choosing the Right Logo File Formats"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you’re new to creating a logo, you’ll likely end up with several logo file formats and no clue what to do with them. No doubt, you have loads of questions about how and when to use each file.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, what’s the deal with all the different file extensions? Why can’t you make one image file and use it for everything? <\/span><\/p>\n

Not all logo file formats have the same functionality. Use the wrong one, and the image quality will degrade once you try out different sizes and media.<\/span><\/p>\n

After all the love, toil, and inspiration that goes into <\/span>designing a logo<\/span><\/a>, you want it to look crisp every time you use it. Check out our beginner’s guide to choosing logo file formats to get the most value from your design.<\/span><\/p>\n

Working with vector and raster graphics<\/h2>\n

Computers and printing devices need a way to display the same image again and again without distorting its properties. As a result, image files are coded into standard formats that a wide variety of programs can store and read. The two major types of graphics standards are raster and vector.<\/span><\/p>\n

Raster\/Bitmap<\/span><\/h3>\n

Raster or bitmap graphics consist of tiny pixel dots that form a larger grid. If you zoom in on a raster image, you can see that each individual square contains one color. At its normal size, the image looks clearly defined because the micro-pixels are so close together. The more pixels per inch, the higher the resolution of a raster graphic.<\/span><\/p>\n

The downside is raster graphics lose resolution and get blurry the more you enlarge them. To create a smaller “compressed” file, computers delete excess pixels that aren’t necessary to maintain a clear image. <\/span><\/p>\n

Lossy images are still clear, but they lose some details once they’re saved. Lossless images retain every pixel, resulting in higher resolution and larger file sizes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Raster images are mainly for web and TV applications, such as websites, emails, and commercials. They work best when you’re using the original image size or a smaller version.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vector <\/span><\/h3>\n

A <\/span>good logo design<\/span><\/a> starts as a vector image. Instead of dots, vector graphics use lines and curves to form larger geometric shapes. Since a vector image is represented as a mathematical equation, you can scale it to any size without losing clarity.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vectors are primarily used for print graphics. The files are editable, and you can get excellent picture quality on everything from T-shirts to signs. Vectors also serve as source files, which you can use to create other formats or update your logo designs. While raster graphics are universally compatible with most programs, you need design software to view and edit vectors.<\/span><\/p>\n

Common logo file formats<\/h2>\n

Every file name includes an extension that tells you how the image is formatted. The file extension consists of the letters after the period in a file name. Below are common image file formats<\/a> you’re likely to encounter when creating a logo.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"logo-file-formats\"<\/p>\n

PNG files<\/span><\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

Portable Network Graphics, or .PNG files, are a raster format made for viewing images on a screen. A PNG can have a solid or transparent background. Transparency allows you to place your logo over other graphics with the underlying images showing through. PNG files are ideal for:<\/span><\/p>\n

\"PNG<\/p>\n