Logo Design File Formats

TIF file (CMYK Color)

The TIF file is for printing on a lithographic printing press. The CMYK color stands for the four colors that are used in "Process Printing". Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and the K actually stands for Black. This is one of many file formats that a print shop asks for.

JPG files or JPEG

These file types are used for home/office printing in applications like Word or PowerPoint (you import the image into your document) or for website images in FrontPage or more professional website editing programs (html editors) like DreamWeaver or GoLive. The resolution of these files is 300dpi which, in printing terms, is high resolution. We offer several sizes because although it is possible to make your own sizes using the source file (eps file), few people actually have the tools to do this. If you really need to change the file size, you can get hold of a designer to do the job for you.

JPG file (Grayscale)

This file type is provided so that you can demand trademark status for your logo. Most trademark organizations only accept images that are in grayscale.

PSD file (RGB)

This file format is used by professional designers and is the native file format of Adobe Photoshop. You need Adobe Photoshop to open this file type.

Many people mistakenly believe the PSD file to be their editable supplied source file. This, however, does not apply to logo design. A logo is created as a vector file which can be resized using the right software without loss of quality. Your PSD file can also be used for home/office printing only when you have Adobe Photoshop. In the case of logo design, this file type is NOT the master file.

EPS file (CMYK Color)

This is your fully editable master file from which all the other file types are created. A specialist software called Adobe Illustrator is needed to work with this file. The EPS file is fully editable with the fonts flattened.

The EPS file is a vector file. All the other file types that are sent are called raster files. Raster files are made up of tiny dots, clearly visible under a microscope. This means that when enlarged in size or reduced significantly in size, raster type files will lose quality. Contrary to this, vector files do not suffer from this loss of quality because the image software uses a mathematical technique called vectoring for creating the image.

AI File (CMYK Color)

WThis is a fully editable stationery design master file. Professional logo designers use vector drawing tools like Adobe Illustrator(AI) to create professional logo designs and not raster drawing tools like Adobe Photoshop. We also use Adobe Illustrator for stationery design since this is the industry standard for printers.