What's the best file format?

[thedesigntailor]

Why not supply an illustrator PDF?

You have all the benefits of a PDF (IE can be used in most programs) but with the extra that it can be dropped back into Illustrator as an .AI - Supplied along with a JPEG so they can use in word.

I normally send a pack with PDFs of all types - logo, logo in white, logo in black (for faxes), symbol only, text only and jpg.

I have just started supplying an avatar version in the pack after seeing a incredibly badly optimised version of a logo I designed on a forum. I've been surprised at how amazed people get when they see I've included an avatar for them.



Also.... HI.... 1st post on this lovely forum!

[Boss Hog]

Welcome to the forum Daniel

I think including an avatar is a nice touch as they only take a few minutes to create, for those without the software to convert take a look at this post...

How do I make a favicon?

[johnkennedy]

jpg is good format for logo

[thedesigntailor]

jpg is good format for logo

This is the worse format IMO

A logo should be a vector where possible = PDF, EPS, etc
If pixel format then GIF is best for flat colours and PNG is best for gradients.

Jpgs just leave artefacts all over and can't be enlarged.

However people are used to using JPGs as photos and are one of the few that work in word however I make the file name something along the lines of = "logo_please_use_PDF_version_where_possible.jp g"

[steverushton]

From a print point of view... an EPS is the best if it is to be used in lots of different ways (perhaps accompanied by a CMYK tiff) if it is going straight to print with no adjustments then a high res pdf is best. Im sure jpg would be better for web, but thats not my area of expertise.

[Eagle]

You should supply a range of different formats for every single situation a client is likely to come across. Don't leave them high and dry.

[pcbranding]

99% of logos will be designed using spot/line colours (Pantone) or will have areas that are embossed/varnished etc. These are generally created as vector artworks in Freehand/Illustrator/Corel Draw (ew!) so the perfect format is an editable PDF. This contains all of the original Illustrator information and can be viewed by both mac and pc users.
(Vector artworks can be scaled up and down without any breaking up as they are based on specific mathematics which define the shapes and relative distances etc.)
You only begin to run into trouble when your logo contains halftone images (JPEG, BMP, TIFF) etc as these are resolution specific and cannot be scaled up over 150-200%.
If your logo does contain a mixture of vector and halftone imagery then you need to ensure that you send your linked file as well as the Illustrator file to your printer. (I know you can embed images, but it does make for larger files.)
Fonts are best converted to paths/outlined.

Just need to let the printers my clients use that they can open a PDF from Illustrator and not insist on .ai files!!

[pcbranding]

I too create a CD of masterlogos which covers the common versions/formats and if in doubt instruct the client to send the .ai or PDF file.

Nothing worse than being sent a GIF or RGB JPEG and told that the printer wants to print it in two colours!

[LovesPrint]

I work at a printers, I know I can open a PDF in Illustrator - if it was created by illustrator. Only then would I do so as all sorts of wrong things can happen if the file was not originally created in Illustrator.
The format we prefer to receive is an eps file for logos.

[pcbranding]

Wasn't inferring that ALL printers were not aware of this :)