So maybe you’ve just paid an agency to create you a new logo. Or maybe, you have a logo that was designed 15 years ago and you have no idea who created it. The day will inevitably come when a printer/designer/producer asks you for a specific file type. How do you know what you need? What kind of logo file types should you own? Does a jpg have a transparent background?

First things first, what are all of the file types out there?

Some are scalable, some are editable, some have transparent backgrounds and some are universal. Let’s dig in.

Part 1: The Vectors (aka Editable)

Vector files are SCALABLE – meaning the image can be scaled infinitely without ever losing resolution. This makes them great for print projects (think billboard) or on responsive websites where the logo may need to change for different screen sizes. Vector files are also EDITABLE – meaning a designer can open up any of the file formats below and make a change.

The main vector file formats include:

1. EPS (Encapsulated PostScript)
2. AI (Adobe Illustrator)
3. PDF (Portable Document Format)
4. SVG (Scalable Vector Graphic)

Part 2: The Universal

Universal files contain logos that anyone can open, without requiring special design software. They are also great for using or sharing on the web. Besides the PDF, these are not scalable and WILL lose resolution when blown up.

The main universal file formats include:

1. PDF (Portable Document Format)
2. JPG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)
3. PNG (Portable Network Graphic)

Part 3: The Elusive Transparent Logo

Transparent file simply means the logo file will not have a background (white box) around the logo. These are great for placing on solid color backgrounds (like on a website).

The main transparent file formats include:

1. PDF (Portable Document Format)
2. SVG (Scalable Vector Graphic)
3. EPS (Encapsulated PostScript)
4. PNG (Portable Network Graphic)

So, what should you own?

Despite there being limitless options for image files, you really only need a few file types to cover all of the possible logo uses:

1. EPS (Encapsulated PostScript)
2. SVG (Scalable Vector Graphic)
3. PDF (Portable Document Format)
4. PNG (Portable Network Graphic)

With these 5 options in your assets folder, you can create (or have a designer create) any variation of your logo file possible. Owning a vector file of your logo gives you all of the flexibility you need.

A few weeks ago, Liz held a meeting with our team to talk about the importance of carving out personal time in our busy schedules. She wanted to ensure we’re all maintaining a work-life balance. Over these last few months in quarantine, our TMG Team has been working hard remotely to on-board new clients, get current projects over the finish line and outreach to schedule future studio time.

All of us have busy lives:

Chelsea is our Creative Director. She and her husband have two kids under 5 and a dog. They’re both working from home and in the process of buying a new home.

Jesse is our Director of Post Production. He and his wife are expecting their first child in September and have 3 cats. We can’t wait to add another baby to our squad!

I am the Director of Business Development. My husband and I had our first baby in August and have a dog. We’re both working from home too.

Liz is our President. She and her husband are proud Grandparents to 5 Grandkids. Her life is consistently busy with dozens of emails and zoom calls with our team daily, enjoying time on her boat with Kevin and creating memories with her Grandkids.

Liz is now requiring us to clock-in a designated amount of time each week designated as “wellness time” to step back from work to focus on ourselves and our families. This time can be used to workout, go on a family walk, drink beers on the patio, take a nap or do anything we need to relax and reset.

Over the last few weeks, my son Luca and I have been spending our wellness time visiting his 94 year old Great Grandmother, Ba. Growing up, I was fortunate to have all 4 of my Grandparents until a few years ago. Our Ba is my last Grandparent and we’re so lucky she’s still healthy and happy. We have breakfast with Ba and enjoy every single minute of it! Our family has noticed Ba is more alert and stays awake longer into the afternoon after our visits – our time together is benefiting everyone. It’s important to me to create memories with our son and his Great Grandmother so I make sure to take pictures of our visits so he can remember her after she’s gone. We can’t wait to go back and visit again next week for breakfast with Ba!

I am so grateful to have a boss who cares about our mental health, supports our families and invests in our future. I love our wellness time and what it’s done for me and my family.

Thank you for everything Liz!