Designer handbook. The JPG preview must be 600(w) x 400(h) pixels. We can programmatically resize images, but this reduces the quality of the preview slightly. We want prospective clients to fall in love with your logos. Making the preview as good as we can means more money in your pocket in the long term. Exporting to JPG from within Adobe Illustrator can produce unexpected results. Instead, start with an artboard that is exactly 600 (w) x 400 (h) pixels, then use the "Save For Web" option to create a JPG file (optimized, 100% quality, no ICC profile). The keyboard shortcut to open the "Save For Web" dialog is: Alt + Shift + Ctrl + S in Windows, or Option + Shift + Command + S in MacOS. The vector file must be saved in EPS or SVG format. The background must be a solid color (any color) or a subtle gradient. No textures. If there is any possibility that a buyer can interpret the background as part of the design, tone it down. Keep the background clear of any watermarks, copyright notices etc. We automatically add the LogoGround watermark to approved logos. On the JPG preview, allow some breathing room around the logo. A margin of around 20% of the image area is recommended. Focus on the image, not the text. Consider leaving the text off completely (preferred). If you include text it must be clear that it serves as placeholder text (something like "BRAND" or "Company Name") and it should not dominate the design. No borders please. We display the logos in different settings and add CSS borders to the images as needed. Don't add your own borders to the image itself. Before you save your vector file, convert fonts to outlines (curves) and remove any stray points or unnecessary nodes (a.k.a. 'anchors'). Make sure that your vector file contains only CMYK colors. RGB colors won't do. Avoid cramming more than one view of the logo into the JPG preview. We are not very strict with this rule, but we will decline a logo if the preview looks cluttered or if there is a chance that the client may be confused about what they are buying. If you decide to include a secondary view of the logo, include only one and keep it subtle. Many of the logos that we decline could have been rescued had the designer spent a little more time. Clean it up. If something is supposed to be symmetrical, make sure it really is symmetrical. Check alignment and colors. Convert those fonts. Polish it. Make it as good as you can make it.
To Illustrate:
1. Your preview image must be in JPG format and must be 600(w) x 400(h) pixels in size.
2. Leave some "breathing space" around the logo. There isn't a specific margin requirement, but don't let your design fill the preview right up to the edges.
3. No borders on the preview file please.
4. Keep your background clean. A solid color or subtle gradient is fine. No textures though.
5. Go easy on the JPG compression.
6. Center the design.
7. If you include placeholder text it must be generic, like "Company" or "Company Name".
8. If you include a smaller, secondary version of the logo, don't place it in the top left corner (reserved for the 'staff favorite' and 'sold' banners) or in the bottom right corner (reserved for the 'fav' button). If you want to use a corner, please use the top right corner (preferred) or the bottom left corner.
Logo Finalization Checklist
You sold a logo and completed the revisions for the client. It's time to deliver the final logo files to the client:
The JPG version must be saved at 300dpi. You must include a vector version of the logo in EPS or SVG format, or in another format if specifically requested by the client. Before you save your vector file convert fonts to curves and remove any stray points or unnecessary nodes (a.k.a. 'anchors'). Make sure that your vector file contains only CMYK colors. RGB colors won't do. Any additional file formats requested by the client should be uploaded together with the JPG and vector files. We recommend including a PNG, PSD and PDF version of the logo as well. Consider including a "readme" file in TXT or PDF format. Use it to explain to the client what all the different formats are for, include a list of other services you offer and your contact details. If the client needs business cards designed a year from now, she'll know where to find you! You have to create that type off logo
