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Writer's pictureSarah Bryce

Logo Designing With Purpose

Planning for Usage.


You're ready to start your logo!




You have all kinds of ideas...ones you've seen online, ones you've been doodling on napkins for months......but wait!


Q. What USE are you planning for your logo?


Will it be strictly a web logo (one only viewed on a computer screen) or one you'd like printed in various ways at various sizes?


Logos are GREAT for:


Websites and Blogs


Business cards


Products and packaging



Print t-shirts/sweatshirts/print caps


Letters and Emails


Social Media Profiles



Business vehicles



*Considerations for Caution:


*Small scale merchandise* ( small sizing caution for detailed logos) Vendor requirements. Best for graphic logos.


*Embroidered apparel* (restrictions apply) Vendor requirements. Graphic fees. May need simplified version. Best for graphic logos.





All vendors have requirements when you order a branded product.


Some require different types of files. Some products have specifications for spacing available on their product. Business cards have dimensions, and safety lines. Embroidery requires converted files, may charges graphic fees and "digitizes" all designs. Some print shops are local or online, cheaper vs. more costly, some give a proof, some do not.


So the next phase of your business branding is learning what will be expected from your print providers. ( using your newly crafted logo design!)

In your logo order you will receive the standard files for most basic uses. Those are print and web files. JPEG, PNG, and PDF. The sizing for most logos are built in illustrator at 1000 px X 1000 px, or in a shape of a square or rectangle, fit to the edges of your logo design. It can have a background or be transparent.


Example of a final logo in it's square format:


Customer uses for a print logo:


*Illustrative logos, especially complex ones look best no smaller than 1 inch wide or very small lines or print will "disappear".


This is important to remember if your goal is a logo on a pen!


You may want to order an optional version(s) of your logo for additional uses.


Illustrative logos that contain gradients, shading, fine lines, small print are NOT compatible for embroidery.


A simplified/alternate version of your logo would be necessary.



Here is an example of a highly detailed logo being translated into embroidery and it looking messy.



If you are set on an illustrative logo with beautiful detail, and really want embroidery, consider a simplified version of your logo. This would be a separate order that can be created from your final. Here is an example of what was done, notice especially the guns.


The one drawback to embroidering a logo is that the process doesn’t allow for much detail. Of course, that’s made up for by its three-dimensionality, vibrancy, shine, durability, and class, but a lot of designing for embroidery has to do with keeping it simple.


Avoid including small details. Threads make up the entirety of an embroidered logo. Thin lines, subtle patterns, and tiny pieces get lost in the stitching–especially in smaller embroidery designs such as hats, which have a print area of 2” high max (about the length of a thumb).



Customer uses with illustrative logos with graphic elements:




Being creative is awesome and no one loves that more than me! But when planning for your company branding keep in mind your design and it's future use. Either choosing a graphic logo or a branding package may be include a simplified version that may cover all your usage needs.


Sarah Bryce Designs is a woman-owned small business & designer in the Bethany Beach area. Sarah specializes in marketing & design work in both digital and print. www.sarahbrycedesigns.com

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