Logo file formats.
To effectively manage your design assets, you'll need these formats
 The idea of 'camera ready art' - when your logo artwork was quite literally ready to be placed into a stat camera and photographed in order to burn printing plates - is one from days gone by. In this digital age, your logo assets are stored as computer files, each with differenent characterstics, usually denoted by a file extension that indicates what the file acutally contains. Your logo files are also stored as 'formats' - various setups that have different applications and uses, each with a set of limitations and specific uses. In order to manage your logo assets, you'll need two types of formats - vector based and pixel (bitmap, raster) - in order that you'll be prepared for all logo reproduction contingincies.
Vector based formats.
 A Vector based image is the raw source file of your logo, created out of Vector shapes, which can be filled with accurate color through the Pantone Matching System or via CMYK percentages. A Vector can be thought of as a shape made up of rubber bands that are wrapped around nails (vector points) pushed into a peg board. If the nails (or in this case points) are moved, the shape will change. This allows designers to be able to edit artwork. Vector files are also resolution independent, meaning that they can are scalable to any size. Vector based logo formats can be printed as Spot color OR Four color Process depending on your requirements and the number of colors in your logo.
colors can be changed quite easily in a Vector based version of your logo as each shape is an individual Vector object into which color can be 'poured'. Editing Vector based art may require the use of a professional-level vector drawing program such as Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw. If you have a low-resolution pixel-based version of your logo, it is possible to create a pristine set of new artwork by 'hand-tracing' the image using Adobe Illustrator or similar Vector based drawing programme. While it's true that there are some automated logo repair solutions, the results are often unpredictable (as the software 'guesses' how the image is supposed to look) and the result can be very low quality. Often, editing the results of an automated Vector conversion can take longer that doing it by hand which is itself a fairly labour intensive process.
(Your logo).EPS
The artwork in Encapsulated Postscript format. This Vector based logo format is readable by both PC and Macintosh (Apple) desktop and publishing software. This is the file you would require for traditional reproduction (printing). It is both scalable (can be re-sized without any degradation in quality) and editable. It can be utilized by most commercial printers and software packages. This file contains all your new logo fonts, colors (Pantone Matching System) that will assure uniform color accuracy in all future uses.
Pixel based formats (Raster, Bitmap)
A Pixel based image is made up from a grid of varying colored pixels that when viewed from a distance form the overall image details. Pixel based images can be CMYK or RGB color palettes. Pixel based images are resolution dependent and must be prepared specifically for the usage planned.  A 72 dpi Pixel based image can be used in electronic media (web) while a 266 (or higher) dpi image is required for print. Due to the number of colors required to create images (even logos that appear to be spot color - see comparison of the same logo below) most Pixel based images will require Four color Process printing, rather than the much more economical (and accurate) Spot color printing. It's important to note that Pixel based images cannot be enlarged without image degradation. Pixel based images can be reduced safely. Editing of Pixel based images requires the use of a bitmap editing programmer (also know as 'paint' programss) such as Adobe Photoshop.
(Your logo).GIF
Your artwork as it appeared on your client page. (72 dpi 216 index color). This Pixel based logo format is suitable for web or other low-resolution reproduction. Non-platform. This file will be optimized in web-safe colors for rapid download on the web, as well as true color accuracy on all platforms and browsers. As this file is non-scalable (cannot be re-sized without image degradation) we supply several pixel width sizes which can all be imported into web pages 'size-is' for maximum image quality, resolution and color accuracy.
(Your logo).JPG
A hi-resolution .JPG version of your logo artwork. This high-resolution file (300 dpi - dots per inch) can be converted and imported into most desktop publishing and word processing software that supports the tiff and/or .JPG format. This file can be re-sized (down) and be used as monitor friendly (RGB) or print friendly (CMYK). This pixel-based image can also be imported in popular image-manipulation programs like Adobe Photoshop for special effects. For more on files, formats, uses and possible conversions see our conversion charts in our logo design articles area.
Other formats that would be of assistance over the life of your new logo.
(Your logo).linear.EPS
A one tone (black) version of your new logo for use on faxes, invoices and other low-reproduction quality media. This logo is redrawn with this use in mind rather than simply converted in to a grayscale from the original source files. This enables the most-effective representation of your logo in a low-resolution, black and white use. This is also a Vector Based Logo with all the advantages that entails.
(Your logo).greyscale.EPS
A halftone (black) version of your new logo. This logo is recreated with tonal differences in mind. Sometimes, colors that contrast vividly with their neighbors, blend together when simply converted to black and white. Only through care full conversion can the original color integrity of your logo be maintained in halftone.
Next Page: EPS file formats - a closer look
| 
