How multiple logo formats can save you time and money
When you get a new logo designed for your business, it’s a big moment.
Your logo is more than just a symbol, it’s the face of your brand. It’s what people will see on your website, your business cards, your shopfront, your uniforms, your invoices, and even your social media pages.
That’s why getting your logo designed properly, in the right formats for different uses, is such a smart move. In fact, doing this right from the start can save you a lot of time, hassle, and money later down the line.
In this post, we’ll explain why having your company logo designed in multiple formats isn’t just a nice extra — it’s a must-have for any business. Don’t worry, we’ll keep things simple and steer clear of confusing design terms. Let’s get into it.
The Problem With “One-Size-Fits-All” Logos
Let’s say you’ve just had your logo designed and you receive one version, maybe a PNG or a JPEG and you think you’re all set.
That’s often what happens when you go for a budget logo service or DIY it online. The logo looks fine on your screen, and you can upload it to your website or use it on your Facebook page. Job done? Not quite.
Here’s what might happen next:
- You go to print some flyers, and the logo looks blurry or stretched.
- You try to put it on a polo shirt, and the embroiderer says the file isn’t usable.
- You need it on a dark background, but your logo has a white box around it.
- You get a banner made, and the image gets pixelated when it’s blown up.
- You want to make business cards, but the colours look off when printed.
Suddenly, that “quick and easy” logo is holding you back. And worse, every fix seems to cost extra, whether it's paying a designer to remake it, a printer to “clean it up,” or spending your own time trying to DIY a solution that might not look right anyway.
This is where having your logo in multiple formats from the start can make a huge difference.
Want to know more? Contact us
What Do We Mean by “Multiple Formats”?
Different tasks need different kinds of logo files, think of it like having the right tool for the job.
Here are the main types of logo formats and where they come in handy:
Web Use (e.g. your website or social media):
You’ll want PNG files (with transparent backgrounds), JPEGs (good for fast loading), and possibly SVGs (these scale well for modern websites).
Print Use (e.g. business cards, posters, packaging):
High-resolution PDF, EPS, or TIFF files are needed. These are the formats printers love because they’re crisp and keep your colours true.
Embroidery or Signage (e.g. uniforms, hats, vans):
This is where vector files like EPS, AI, or SVG come in. These allow the logo to be scaled up or down without losing quality. Embroidery machines also sometimes need specific file types or outlines.
Black and White or Single Colour Versions:
Sometimes colour printing isn’t possible (like in newspaper ads or on certain merchandise), so having a solid black or white version of your logo can save the day.
Square or Icon Versions:
Social media profile pics, app icons, or favicons for your website often need a more compact or simplified version of your logo.
Want access to the right tools? Contact us
Why All This Saves You Time
Now that you’ve got an idea of what these different formats are used for, let’s talk about how they save time.
1. No Chasing Designers Later
If you only get one file when your logo is created, chances are you’ll need to go back to the designer at some point. If they’re busy, away, or no longer available, you’ll be stuck.
Or worse, you’ll have to pay someone else to recreate it from scratch.
Having all formats at the start means you can hit the ground running on any project without delay.
2. Faster Turnarounds with Printers and Suppliers
Printers, embroiderers, signmakers all work to deadlines.
If you send them the wrong format, they’ll either bounce it back or take extra time converting it (and probably charge you for the trouble).
If you’ve got the right format ready, you keep things moving fast.
3. No Back-and-Forth Email Chains
Ever tried to get a logo printed and been told, “We need it in a vector format”?
Cue the scramble to figure out what that even means.
When you’ve got all your logo versions neatly saved, you just send the file they need and carry on with your day.
Want to save yourself time? Contact us
And Yes, It Saves You Money Too
Let’s be honest, time is money. But on top of that, there are some very direct ways having the right logo files will save your business real cash.
1. No Redesign Fees
If you only have a low-res logo file, many printers or embroiderers will charge a “redraw” fee, basically, paying someone to remake your logo in a better format.
This can cost anywhere from £30 to over £100, depending on complexity.
2. Avoid Paying Twice
If you ever decide to change suppliers or rebrand, having your full logo suite on hand means you won’t have to start from scratch.
Recreating a logo because the original files were lost or unusable is an avoidable expense.
3. No Emergency Fixes
Rushing to get your logo fixed or converted last minute (especially when a deadline looms) often comes with a “rush job” fee.
Getting everything sorted upfront avoids this altogether.
Want to save yourself money? Contact us
Real-Life Example: Sarah’s Cafe
Let’s look at a fictional but very realistic example.
Sarah owns a small café, and when she opened, a friend designed her logo and sent over a JPEG file. It looked fine on her Facebook page.
But later, she ran into issues:
- Her printer couldn’t use the JPEG for loyalty cards. She paid £40 to get it fixed.
- Her staff uniform supplier couldn’t embroider the logo. Another £35.
- She needed a sign for her shop. They had to trace the logo and vectorize it. £60 more.
- She wanted a version with a transparent background for a new website banner. She had to go back to her designer, who charged £25.
Total spent on “fixing” the logo: £160.
Had she got the full set of formats up front, it probably would’ve added £50–£75 to the original design cost, but saved her over double that in the long run, plus all the stress and delay.
Does that example sound familiar? Contact us
What to Ask Your Designer For
When getting a logo designed (or redesigned), ask for what's often called a “logo pack” or “brand kit.” At a minimum, you should get:
- PNG (transparent background, web use)
- JPEG (for quick previews and web)
- PDF or EPS (print use)
- Vector file (AI, EPS, or SVG — for scaling and professional uses)
- Black-and-white version
- Reversed version (white-on-black, etc.)
- Square or icon version (for social media)
Some designers also include:
- A style guide (showing colours and fonts used)
- Font files or usage rights
- Social media-ready versions
A good designer will understand and should be happy to provide these.
Don’t be afraid to ask! Contact us
Wrapping Up
Your logo is going to do a lot of heavy lifting over the life of your business. From day one, it will appear everywhere, on your website, signs, uniforms, brochures, invoices, adverts, and more.
Getting your logo designed in multiple, proper formats right from the start means you’re ready for whatever comes your way.
No more scrambling around looking for files, no emergency fixes and no hidden costs. Just clean, professional branding that works everywhere, saving you both time and money in the long run.
So if you’re investing in a logo (or updating an old one), make sure you’re getting more than just a pretty picture. Get the files that work everywhere, your future self will thank you!
Ready to explore how an agency can help your business thrive? Contact us
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Whether it’s design, advertising or marketing, drop us an email or give us a call, we’re here to help.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Logo Design
1. What makes a good logo?
A good logo is simple, memorable, and works at any size. It should reflect your brand’s personality and make you stand out in the market.
2. How long does it take to design a logo?
Every project is different, but most take about two to three weeks. We’ll keep you updated throughout and work at a pace that suits you.
3. I have no idea what I want. Can you still help?
Absolutely. Most of our clients start that way. We ask the right questions and guide you through it all.
4. What if I don’t like the first logo designs?
That’s completely fine. We include revisions and will keep working until you're happy.
5. Will I get different versions of my logo?
Yes, you’ll receive versions for different backgrounds and uses, including web, print, and social media.
6. Can I use my logo everywhere?
Yes! Your logo will come in multiple file types so you can use it on your website, business cards, van graphics, anywhere you like.
7. What file types will I get?
We provide PNG, JPEG, SVG and/or PDF files. If you need something else, just let us know.
8. Will I own the logo once it’s finished?
Yes. Once final payment is made, the logo is all yours. You’ll have full rights to use it however you need.
9. Can you help with more than just the logo?
Yes! We offer full brand design in Peterborough, including social media graphics, business stationery, and brand guidelines.
10. How much does logo design cost?
Prices vary depending on your needs, but we’re upfront and transparent. No hidden fees, just honest quotes.
About the author
The PAMCO
The Peterborough Advertising and Marketing Company is the advertising agency focussing on businesses in the Greater Peterborough area, providing design, advertising planning, media buying and advertising consultancy services.