Quick answer
What logo files does my business need?
A good set has the editable original (called a vector file), plus SVG, PNG and print ready PDF copies, in full colour, dark, light and one colour versions.
The jargon
The words you'll come across, in plain English.
- Vector file: a logo made of shapes, not dots, so it stays sharp at any size. SVG, PDF and EPS are vector types.
- SVG: a vector file for websites.
- PNG: an image file that can have a see through background.
- JPG: a common photo file. No see through background.
- Copyright: the legal right to the design. Usually the designer's unless you agree otherwise in writing.
- Trade mark: a registered right to stop others using a similar name or logo for similar work.
File types
Which file type is for what?
- SVG: Your website; stays sharp at any size
- PDF or EPS: Printers and signwriters
- PNG: Everyday use, with a see through background
- JPG: Quick previews on a plain background
Versions
Which versions of my logo do I need?
- Main full colour logo
- Dark version, for light backgrounds
- Light version, for dark backgrounds
- One colour version
- A small version, for when the full name won't fit
- How much space to leave round it, and how small it can go
Ask for everything
What should my designer give me?
Before you sign it off, ask your designer for the original files, all the copies, the fonts used, the exact colours and a one page guide. Check whether any icon, template or font has licence rules.
- The editable original
- SVG for your website
- See through PNGs in a few sizes
- A print ready PDF
- Screen colours and print colours
- Light, dark and one colour versions
- Who owns it, in writing
- Copies saved in your own files, not just their account
Open a few of the files before you pay the final bill. A file called .svg or .pdf isn't always genuinely editable.
Test it for real
How do I test my logo?
Print it at business card size, look at it as a tiny social media picture, and put it on light and dark backgrounds. Ask a signwriter whether thin lines and small writing will work on a van.
Do this
It's still recognisable in one colour, and still clear at phone size.
Not this
It only works big, in full colour on white, with a tagline nobody can read.
Who owns it
Do I own my logo?
Paying for a logo doesn't automatically mean you own the copyright. Get ownership, the editable files and what you can use it for, in writing.
Name checks
Is my logo protected?
Check nobody's registered something similar. If you're spending a lot on your brand, get professional advice.
Sources
Where this guide comes from.
Checked against these official pages on 27/10/2026. Next check due 27/01/2027. Things can change sooner, so check the official page before an important decision.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions.
Do I need an SVG?
Yes, it's really useful. It stays sharp at any size, on your website and on signs.
Why is my logo blurry?
A small image has been blown up too big. You need the original file.
Can my Canva design be the original?
It can work, but check Canva's own licence terms for logos, what files you can export, and that the account stays yours.
Should I register my logo?
That's up to you. Search first, and get advice if a lot's riding on it.
What's the difference between a logo and a brand?
Your logo is one part. Your brand is your name, colours, photos, how you talk, and how customers feel dealing with you.
Can I turn a JPG into a proper logo file?
Automatic converters give rough results. Get a designer to redraw it properly.
Got a question?
Send us a message and we'll point you in the right direction.
We're happy to help, even if it's not about a website.
