Your Logo and Its Formats
16 May 2005 | Angie H
When designing websites I often need to ask my clients for a copy of their logo. And often, this is a no-brainer for all involved, especially if the site I'm developing has a white background. I simply receive a raster image - usually a JPG, sometimes TIF or non-editable EPS.
It gets slightly more complicated when the background of the site is going to be anything but white. Why? Because when I'm sent those JPGs they're always on a white background and pulling the logo off of them, while not rocket science, isn't exactly the easiest thing in the world. Granted, after 5 years in this industry, I've become quite accustomed to doing this and can do it with no problem.
I will usually ask my client for a vector version of the logo. Of course, most clients have no idea what this means and I don't expect them to. So I ask for something specific: an Illustrator version, Illustrator EPS or editable EPS.
If I still don't get one of the above mentioned formats, I don't press the issue. After all, I don't blame my client for not having the "correct" format. But I do scratch my head and wonder about the person who designed the logo for my client. I wonder how the logo was created and whether he/she even provided a vector format? If not, I always think about how my client got the short end of the stick when he/she hired that person to design the logo.
Why is a vector format important? Well, I ask for a vector format of a logo is because it's extremely easy to use in that I can resize it without losing quality and can pretty much do anything the client wants with it, quickly and efficiently. Any good designer will tell you the same.
Here's a practical example of why this is important. Say you have a logo designed and your "designer" only provides you with a JPG or non-editable EPS. Let's say the JPG is 3"x3" and only at a resolution of 120 dpi (dots per inch). And let's also say that you're going to be holding a booth at a trade show so you've decided to have a banner made. The banner is 3' x 3' (note, those are feet, not inches). Simply taking the logo you were provided and enlarging it would cause the logo to become extremely jagged or pixelized. Not a good visual message for your business. Sure, there are ways to get the logo to go up in size, but it will end up costing you more time and money. Had you gotten a vector format of your logo in the first place the banner guy would have no problem enlarging the size of the logo and keeping quality and clarity.
So I guess the moral of the story is this: If you hire a designer to design a logo, make sure you're getting 2 formats - raster and vector. Otherwise you may just not be getting your money's worth.
2 Comments
No, PSD is a raster file. Files created in programs like Illustrator or Freehand (where you can resize without losing quality) are vector files.
Great articles, 1 question:
How do you get the raster version of a psd or fireworks file? I understand the psd file is the vector file, correct?
24 May 2005