Ask for a vector master and the export files your business will use. SVG suits many web placements, while a print-ready PDF or the printer's requested vector format is safer for production. Transparent PNG works for many digital layouts; JPEG has a solid background. Confirm the colour mode, background, size, fonts and supplier requirements before sending a file to print.
Ask your designer for the file you need for the job, not just a folder named “final logos.” SVG, PDF, PNG and JPEG each suit different uses, and a file extension does not prove that artwork is editable or ready for a printer.
For most handovers, request a vector master, an SVG for supported digital placements, a transparent PNG for everyday use and a print-ready PDF. Confirm the printer’s file and colour requirements before you approve production.
If you need a logo, guidelines or stationery, start with IDJoy’s branding service and listed scope. This guide explains which exports to request for each use.
What the common logo formats do
| Format | Best use | Check before sending |
|---|---|---|
| SVG | Web placements that accept vector artwork; scales without becoming pixelated | Test the exported logo in the target browser or platform. Remove unintended fonts, hidden layers and unnecessary content. |
| Sharing artwork and many print workflows | Ask whether the mark is vector, whether fonts are outlined or embedded, and whether the printer wants crop marks or bleed. | |
| PNG | Digital use when you need a transparent background | Check pixel dimensions at the size the logo will appear. A small image can blur when enlarged. |
| JPEG | Photos or previews on a solid background | JPEG does not preserve transparency. Avoid it for a logo that must sit cleanly over a coloured surface. |
W3C describes SVG as a format for scalable two-dimensional vector and mixed vector/raster graphics. That makes SVG useful for many digital placements, but a printer or website can still request a different file. Follow the supplier’s specification.
Vector and raster files solve different problems
Vector artwork stores shapes and paths. It can scale to different sizes without the pixel edges that appear when a small raster image is enlarged. Raster artwork stores a grid of pixels. Its usable print size depends on the image dimensions and the resolution required by the print job.
A PNG can be the right choice for a profile image. It is not a substitute for an editable vector master when a sign maker needs to resize or separate colours. A PDF may contain vector paths, a flattened image or a mixture, so inspect the file rather than assuming its contents from the extension.
Give the printer the production details
Before sending artwork for a business card, label or sign, confirm:
- The printer’s accepted file format and colour profile.
- The finished dimensions, bleed and safe area.
- Whether the artwork needs CMYK, spot colours or another print specification.
- Whether fonts must be outlined or supplied under a licence.
- Whether the artwork needs a white, dark or transparent background.
- Whether the supplier needs a single-colour version or separated layers.
Do not convert colour values or add bleed without the printer’s instructions. A designer should ask for the production specification before preparing the final print export.
Check the handover before you sign it off
Open each file and test it where you plan to use it. Put the transparent PNG over a dark and a light background. View the SVG in a browser. Zoom into the PDF and check the edges, lettering and colours. Ask the designer to replace any file that looks blurred, has a background you did not request or uses the wrong logo variation.
Also confirm the usage rights, any third-party font restrictions and which editable source files your quote includes. A flattened preview may look correct while giving the next designer nothing they can safely edit.
IDJoy’s brand identity guide covers logo variations, colour rules, type and practical handover. You can also inspect the Hot Honey Pot packaging and stationery work and our printed and digital business card examples.
Choose the files that match your next application
Write down where the logo will appear before you approve the exports: website header, email signature, business card, product label, signage or social profile. Ask for those specific versions and test them at their real size.
If you need logo design, brand guidelines or stationery, see IDJoy’s branding scope and prices. The quote lists the selected deliverables so you can confirm the file handover before work starts.