Your logo on a mug, bag or company clothing should be legible and consistent with your brand identity. It is worth preparing your artwork before choosing a branding method. You do not need to know every graphic design term — a few key details will help us assess the artwork and choose a suitable solution.
1. Find the original logo file
The best starting point is the source file supplied by your designer, together with your brand guidelines if your company has them. These guidelines define details such as colours, proportions, clear space and approved logo versions. They remove the guesswork when applying your logo to a new product.
Vector artwork describes shapes using lines and curves, so it can be resized without the loss of sharpness caused by pixels. Raster artwork consists of pixels, and enlarging it can reveal blurring or jagged edges. Simply saving a small image in a different format does not restore missing detail. This distinction is also explained in Adobe’s guide to raster and vector graphics.
If all you have is a logo from your website, a photo of a business card or a screenshot, include the available artwork with your enquiry. This will help establish whether a new production version needs to be prepared. The appropriate file format is agreed for the specific design and branding technique.
2. Check the lettering and logo versions
The lettering in your logo should not accidentally change typeface when the artwork is opened on another computer. It is worth asking your designer for a production copy with the text converted to outlines, meaning vector shapes. This conversion is described in the Adobe Illustrator documentation. Keep the original with editable text for future changes as well.
Prepare the main colour version and any available single-colour versions or versions intended for dark backgrounds. Do not change the proportions or arrangement of the elements yourself. If your brand has a simplified logo or a standalone symbol, include it — it may be useful on a small branding area.
3. Specify the branding size and position
Tell us where you would like the logo to appear and what size you have in mind. You can give an approximate width in millimetres or describe the effect you want. The same design will make a different impression on a pen than on a large tote bag.
Small lettering, fine lines or a long tagline need to be assessed at their intended size. The branding method, material and available surface area also determine how well these details can be reproduced. There is no single logo size that works for every promotional product.
4. Share your brand colour references
Include the colour values from your brand guidelines and, if your brand uses Pantone, the full reference codes. Do not choose a colour solely from how it looks on your phone. Adobe explains that the appearance of a printed spot colour depends on factors including the ink and substrate, while a screen displays a simulation.
The material and technique affect the final appearance of the branding. Colours and the way the logo is reproduced therefore need to be agreed for the chosen product. If your project requires particularly close colour matching, it is worth discussing the possibility of a sample.
5. Review the artwork before approval
Before approving the visual proof, check the logo version, spelling, colour references, branding size and position. Also make sure the correct product and colour variant are shown. A visual proof helps establish the layout, but it does not replace a physical sample of the material and branding.
Planning branded promotional products or merch for your company? Gather the files you have and describe your chosen product, required quantity and intended use. Send an enquiry to Giftmart — we will help you choose a product and branding method for your project.