- \n
- Logo usage guidelines are simple rules that keep your logo looking consistent everywhere.<\/li>\n
- Logo guidelines stop your logo from looking stretched, blurry or \u201coff\u201d across print, digital and merch.<\/li>\n
- Your guidelines should include spacing, color values, fonts, logo variations, minimum sizes and the right file formats.<\/li>\n
- Include poor and \u201coff\u201d examples of your logo in your guidelines to further help avoid errors.<\/li>\n
- Set clear do and don\u2019t rules so your logo never gets distorted, recolored or lost on a busy background.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n \n\n\n\n Don\u2019t have a set logo yet? <\/div>\n\n\n Test ideas before building your guidelines. <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n \n\n Try VistaPrint\u2019s Logomaker.<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\nWhat are logo usage guidelines?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Logo usage guidelines are rules on how to properly display your brand\u2019s logo. They help keep consistency with your logo and avoid errors. This helps maintain professionalism. Your logo guidelines can be their own document or a section in your brand style guide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rules to set in your logo guidelines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Describe your logo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Your guidelines should open with a description of what your logo is<\/a> and is not \u2013 a brief explanation of what your logo looks like and why. Spelling out your logo and how you want to use it helps define all the situations you need to consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The logo in essence, is the brand name, but not all logos need to include a name. Think about Apple. We are all familiar with the monochrome, minimal apple with the right corner bitten off. The name is synonymous with the symbol, the logo is an apple and the company is called Apple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here is an example of a logo from one of our top designers:<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1046,h_496,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1765449305\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/image-16_44239ad65d\/image-16_44239ad65d.png?_i=AA\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nA wordmark with missing \u201co\u201ds creates a dynamic yet simple and memorable logo. Design by
Milos Zdrale via 99designs by Vista.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here is a description example from 99designs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re 99designs. We\u2019re not 99 Designs, or 99Designs or 99 designs. Just simply 99designs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Decide how much space to keep around the logo<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n![\"Provide](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1000,h_563,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1765450319\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/image-5-edited\/image-5-edited.jpeg?_i=AA\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nProvide padding around the logo to help your logo appear clean and uncluttered. Via Squarespace Logo Guidelines<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the first rules to include in your logo usage guidelines is spacing around your logo. There should be sufficient clear space around the logo to let it breathe and prevent its clarity and visual impact from being obstructed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Take a look at this logo guideline example for spacing and how it relates to the brand.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"he](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_900,h_452,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1765451125\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/image-17_4424575514\/image-17_4424575514.png?_i=AA\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nThe \u201c99\u201d spacer sets a precedent of how the logo should be spaced. Via the 99designs Brand Assets.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe 99designs logo uses an \u2019open white canvas\u2019 as a metaphor that underpins the visual language of the brand \u2013 it\u2019s crucial that whitespace is used liberally. A \u201999\u2019 spacer on all sides of [the] wordmark and logomark is not the expectation, but the absolute minimum.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This guideline is specific by giving you a why and how. 99designs puts emphasis on whitespace, so it expects at minimum a \u201899\u2019 space on all sides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Include your color palette<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n![\"mood](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/v1765451131\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/image-6_442463ae02_44246a68fd\/image-6_442463ae02_44246a68fd.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nThis mood board shows the brand color palette. By Aquarellina via 99designs by Vista<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A defined color palette ensures your logo looks consistent wherever it appears, so your guidelines should spell out exactly which colors represent your brand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your brand\u2019s color palette should be 4 or 5 colors. These colors include or are complimentary with the colors of your logo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The rule of thumb for brand colors is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- One light color to use as the background<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- One darker color for text<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- One neutral shade that goes with everything<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- One color that catches the eyes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"New](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1332,h_1212,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1765451185\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/image-18_44247271e1\/image-18_44247271e1.png?_i=AA\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nNew York State\u2019s color palette from their Branding overview. Via New York State Brand Guidelines.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your logo usage guideline should describe the colors with: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Pantone color name and number<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- CMYK code (print color)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- RGB code (digital color)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Hex code<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Specify your typography and font<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Typography plays a key role in how your logo is read and remembered, so your logo brand guidelines should set clear rules for which fonts support your brand identity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your typography guidelines should outline:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Your primary brand font and how it supports your overall brand personality.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The fonts used in other communications, such as headings, body copy and captions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Any rules around styling, including whether shading, outlines, italics or effects are allowed. For some forms of typography, you may even specify the kerning, or spacing between the letters. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How typography should appear alongside the logo, so type treatments stay consistent and on brand.
<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nHere\u2019s an example from easyGroup\u2019s brand manual:<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"EasyGroup\u2019s](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_968,h_1150,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1765451148\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/image-19_44248732fe\/image-19_44248732fe.png?_i=AA\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\neasyGroup\u2019s brand guidelines specify where each font should be used on all their materials. Via easyGroup Brand Manual.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
To make typography rules easy to follow, many brands show exactly which fonts to use for headings, body copy and supporting text. For example, the Open Source Initiative\u2019s guidelines clearly state which font weights pair best with their logo, helping users maintain a consistent hierarchy across all materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUse Open Sans Ultra-Bold for headings and Open Sans Semi-Bold for subheadings and supporting copy to complement the OSI logo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This keeps the instruction simple and focuses on how someone using the brand should style their text.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Explain your logo size preferences<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n![\"Medium\u2019s](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1398,h_398,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1765451157\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/image-7_44249e0b37\/image-7_44249e0b37.jpeg?_i=AA\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nMedium\u2019s minimum digital size for its wordmark emphasizes its importance to the brand identity. Via Medium Branding Guidelines<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Setting size rules in your guidelines keeps your logo clear and readable across print and digital applications, no matter how large or small it appears. First, set a minimum size. The minimum size is ideally in pixels for digital use and in inches or millimeters for print. Setting proportional values is as important as setting a minimum size. It is crucial for your logo to have sizing consistency across letterheads, over various products, on digital applications versus print.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your size guidelines could be as simple as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Should be legible at any size. Do not use our full logo unless there is ample space to allow for legibility.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Do not stretch or distort.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Or as specific as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Our favicon must always be 16 x 16 pixels.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Minimum digital size for BOTH our wordmark and logomark is 20 pixels.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- For all our digital sign offs, the minimum size is 35 pixels.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
For more sizing tips, check out our post on logo sizes and dimensions<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Outline your logo colors<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n![\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/v1765451166\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/image-19-1\/image-19-1.png\"](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/v1765451166\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/image-19-1\/image-19-1.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nDetermining color variations of a logo is very important to your brand identity. Design by Musique! via 99designs by Vista.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Color variations are essential for keeping your logo flexible without losing consistency, so your guidelines should outline which versions are allowed. One of the key principles of logo design is that your logo should look good in black and white, in its simplest form with no effects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are logo color considerations you need guidelines for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Logo colors over white backgrounds<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Logo colors over dark backgrounds<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- What your black and white logo looks like<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Grayscale logo vs. full color<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Reversed logo colors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Your guideline should include all the acceptable color variations of your logo to set a clear precedent.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Google\u2019s](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/v1765451161\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/image-20_442517751c\/image-20_442517751c.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nGoogle\u2019s Logos and Trademarks page has specific guidelines for which colors the logo can and cannot be in. Via Google<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n \n\n\n Tip <\/div>\n\nRead more about logo colors in our logo characteristics guide.<\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n
Be specific about file formats and color modes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
File formats and color modes affect how sharp and accurate your logo appears, so clear rules help prevent quality or color issues. To avoid blurry logos or unexpected color shifts, your guidelines should be of high quality<\/a> and specify:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- SVG: for digital platforms and infinite scaling<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- PNG: for transparent backgrounds<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- EPS\/PDF: for printing and signage<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- RGB vs. CMYK: explain when each is used and why it matters<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n \n\n\n Tip <\/div>\n\nYour logo usage guidelines should always include both RGB and CMYK values so your colors stay accurate across screens and printed materials.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Set logo accessibility guidelines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Accessibility guidelines ensure your logo is readable and inclusive for every audience. They protect legibility in real-life situations, like small screens, dark backgrounds or when customers have varying levels of vision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Specify:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Contrast ratios (meeting WCAG AA when possible), so your logo stays readable on both light and dark backgrounds.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Minimum on-screen sizes, so your logo stays legible on mobile and tablet devices.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Approved background combinations that avoid clashes or low contrast.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Rules for accessibility-friendly animations, like keeping motion subtle and avoiding fast flashing elements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Examples of bad logo usage<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n![\"W](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_505,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1765448746\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/image-4_44235b247a\/image-4_44235b247a.jpeg?_i=AA\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![\"Bad](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_547,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1765451210\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/image-21_44253ec1f5\/image-21_44253ec1f5.png?_i=AA\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is just as effective to show how not<\/em> to use your logo as it is to show how to use your logo. Make sure that your guidelines include samples of your logo distorted, in the wrong color, too small, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Examples of bad logo usage:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Low-contrast logo colors that disappear against backgrounds<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Uploading the wrong file type (e.g., JPG screenshot) resulting in pixelation<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Using CMYK logo colors in a digital environment, causing a muted look<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Placing the logo inside shapes or containers not part of the official design.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
For more tips, read our guide to the anatomy of a logo<\/a> and how to best use them.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Optional logo guideline: Logo variations and when to use them<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Many brands use different logo versions for different contexts, so your guidelines should explain when each variation should be used. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Depending on your needs, it may prove useful to have a full version of your logo, wordmark, lettermark, a simplified logo version, an avicon and\/or an avatar. All these logo variations<\/a> need to reflect each other and stay within your logo\u2019s general style.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Design](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1089,h_425,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1765451203\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/image-9_4425498d46\/image-9_4425498d46.jpeg?_i=AA\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nDesign by bo_rad via 99designs by Vista.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
You may not need all the variations, but depending on your type of business, it may be recommended to have a few. Wordmarks, for example, are font based logos that benefit companies with catchy and memorable names. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your logo usage guidelines include variations, also include recommendations for where they will appear. For example: Our standard logo looks like this, it should be included on all merchandise. Our wordmark looks like this, this needs to be included to sign off any content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Aedi](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_690,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1765451270\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/Banner-office-supplie-001_US-S\/Banner-office-supplie-001_US-S.png?_i=AA\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n