Why are there Different Versions of My Design?

You may have worked with a designer and received many different logo file types. Or perhaps you’ve tried ordering some merch with your logo file and they always ask for different file types.

Basically, what’s with all the files? Why can’t there just be one file to rule them all?! Each one really does some heavy lifting for different situations. Let’s jump in and see some of the usual suspects…

There are two main categories of image files: raster and vector.

Raster files are basically images. To be super simple, they are a collection of pixels, and each pixel is a different coloured dot. Put them all together and boom — there’s your photo or logo.

But what you see is what you get. If you try to make a raster file much bigger, you’re essentially stretching out those pixels, and eventually things start to get fuzzy and distorted. The same way it would if you stretched out a T-shirt with an image printed on it.

In contrast, there are vector files.

A vector file contains the mathematical information behind the lines and shapes of your logo. So when you make it much bigger, the computer can essentially redraw it at the larger size.

That means your logo stays nice and crisp whether it’s sitting on a business card or blown up on a giant sign.

Now that we understand the two categories, we can chat about the commonly seen file types.

JPG & PNG

The most common files, and ones you’ve likely come across are .jpg (also know as jpeg) and png. Both of these are raster files and they are each a collection of pixels that make up your image or logo. The jpeg will cover the whole image file with pixels, whereas the png can have a transparent background. Think of it like this… you took a picture of a yummy cookie and saved it. You see the cookie on a plate on a table. That’s a great example of a jpg. But if you cut the cookie away from the background and its just the cookie, that would be an example of a png.

So if you want your logo with no white background so it isn’t a big white square with your logo on a flyer then you want to use the png file.

SVG

So now, let’s talk vector!

An .svg file is a vector file. Like we discussed above, a vector file contains the mathematical information behind the logo design. It tells the computer essentially how to redraw the logo so it stays nice and crisp regardless of the size.

SVGs are especially useful for logos and other simple graphics. They’re great for things like websites, digital graphics and other situations where you want your logo to stay sharp at different sizes. They’re not really designed for things like photographs or full-page documents. They’re much better suited to the logo itself, or any fun graphic bits you might add to a document, ad or other design.

And this is where you might be starting to see why your designer gave you more than one file. Your logo might need to live on your website one minute, appear on a social media graphic the next, and then end up on a giant sign.

One file just isn’t necessarily the best tool for all of those jobs.

AI and EPS

You may also encounter .ai (Adobe Illustrator) and .eps files in your travels. Both of these files are also vector file formats. They can be particularly useful when another designer or production company needs to work with your logo or make changes to it. Typically these are not supplied and you are not likely to come across them.

If you do come across them, you probably won’t need to open these files yourself — they’re more like the behind-the-scenes files that help other professionals work with your logo properly.

So if you see an AI or EPS file in that folder and think, “Well, what on earth am I supposed to do with that?” — probably nothing! Just keep it somewhere safe. Your printer or another designer may thank you for having it later.

PDF

So now onto those sneaky PDF files. Why sneaky? because they actually don’t fit nicely into our two categories above. A PDF can contain either raster or vector artwork files in them if the file is an ad or a magazine layout for example. Those types of files are essentially a compilation of of information (like text, images, shapes or design elements) – like a collage!

If the file is just your logo, however, and it is saved as a pdf it is very likely going to work like a vector file which can make it very useful for printing or professional production. Very often if you work with a printer, sign company or merch supplier they will ask you for a pdf file. The logo in a pdf can remain crisp at various sizes so you can use a vector pdf of your logo for brochures or large signage.

Important point, don’t panic! You don’t necessarily need to know which file to use every single time!

That’s partly why your designer gave you all of them!

The idea is that you have the right tool for the job, whether your logo is appearing on a website, social media post, business card, sign, T-shirt or something else entirely.

One last item to note: the file type (jpg, png, etc) and the colour mode of the file are two different things. A PNG can be RGB, for example, while a PDF might contain CMYK artwork. If RGB and CMYK have you scratching your head, I’ve got you covered in this article: RGB vs CMYK.

Here’s a little cheat sheet for your desktop!

Honeybird Creative creates thoughtful visual identities designed to work across the real-world places your brand needs to show up — online, in print and everywhere in between.