Logo File Formats for Custom Printing

The best logo file is the file that preserves the artwork clearly enough for the selected decoration method and imprint size. Vector artwork is usually the most flexible starting point because shapes can be resized without turning into visible pixels. A high-resolution raster file can still be useful for full-color work or as a visual reference.

Preferred files for production review

• AI or EPS: common vector production formats when the artwork has been prepared correctly.
• SVG: scalable vector artwork that can preserve clean paths and shapes.
• PDF: useful when it contains vector artwork rather than only an embedded low-resolution image.
• PNG: useful for transparent-background raster artwork; resolution must be appropriate for the final imprint size.
• JPEG: useful as a reference, but compression and the lack of transparency can limit production use.

Vector does not automatically mean production-ready

A file extension alone does not prove that the logo is vector. A JPEG placed inside an AI or PDF file is still a raster image. Fonts may also be missing when a file is opened on another system. Converting final type to outlines, or supplying the required font information, helps avoid substitution.

What to send with the artwork

• the intended logo version and any approved alternatives;
• brand color references, including Pantone values when they are part of the brand standard;
• the product URL or item number;
• the preferred imprint location and approximate size;
• any minimum line-weight, clear-space or logo-use rules from the brand guide.

Raster resolution and imprint size

Raster quality must be judged at the intended output size. An image that looks sharp as a small email attachment may not contain enough information for a larger print area. Do not enlarge a small image and assume it has gained detail. Send the original source file whenever possible.

Color expectations

Screen displays use emitted light, while printed and decorated products use inks, threads, coatings or a material surface. Exact appearance also changes with the product color and texture. A proof confirms layout and specified colors, but physical samples or product-specific color matching may be appropriate when color tolerance is critical.

Before approving a proof

Check spelling, artwork version, orientation, placement, dimensions and color references. View the proof at a readable scale and confirm whether it represents one location or multiple locations. Ask questions before approval; the approved proof becomes the production reference.

Send the product link and the best artwork available. If the file is not production-ready, the response can identify what is needed for that specific decoration method.