Agree the handover before the project starts. Ask for a scalable vector version of the approved logo, plus exports your team can use on the website, social profiles and everyday documents. Check that the package includes suitable versions for light and dark backgrounds.
Ask for the colour references, minimum-size guidance and any spacing rules. If a font is part of the identity, establish which licence your business needs and who is buying it. A picture of a font in a presentation is not the same as permission to install and use it.
Confirm ownership and usage rights in the agreement, including any third-party assets. Store the final files somewhere your team can find, with simple names and an explanation of what each is for. Keep rejected concepts separate so they are not accidentally used in a future campaign.
At a glance
- Ask for a file list before work starts
- Separate master files from everyday exports
- Include colour and background versions
- Clarify fonts, images and usage rights
- Test the handover before closing the project
Ask for a file list before work starts
Explain where the logo will appear: website headers, social profiles, printed documents, signs or vehicle graphics. Ask the designer which deliverables cover those uses. A single small image will not suit every production process.
Agree whether the project includes a symbol, wordmark, stacked layout or other variations. Keep the agreed list with the quote so both sides know what the final handover should contain.
Separate master files from everyday exports
Request the approved scalable artwork and convenient exports for routine use. SVG is commonly used for website vector graphics; PNG can be useful where transparency is needed. Print suppliers may request PDF or another specific format. Ask the supplier rather than guessing.
Keep the editable master safe. Your team should not need to alter it to make a normal presentation. Use file names that state the version, colour and background, such as wordmark-white-transparent.
Include colour and background versions
Ask for versions suitable for dark backgrounds, light backgrounds and single-colour production where needed. Check how the mark works at small sizes. The handover should explain spacing and any restrictions on changing its proportions.
Confirm colour references with the designer and the production supplier. A screen preview and a printed result can differ. For important print work, discuss proofs rather than assuming a colour code alone guarantees a match.
Clarify fonts, images and usage rights
Ask which fonts are required, what licences are needed and who purchases them. Confirm whether any icon, illustration or stock component has separate terms. Keep licence records alongside the final files.
Ownership and permitted use should be addressed in the project agreement. If you are unsure about a term, clarify it with the designer or obtain appropriate advice. Do not assume every item shown in a concept presentation is included in the final rights.
Test the handover before closing the project
Open the files on a second computer. Try adding the right version to a document, website draft and social profile. Ask someone who was not involved in the design to find the appropriate file from the folder names.
Request a short explanation where the choice is not obvious. Archive rejected concepts separately and identify one approved source folder. This reduces the chance of an old or distorted logo appearing in the next campaign.
Common questions
Do we need every possible file format?
No. Ask for formats that suit the agreed uses, plus the approved master artwork. Extra exports are only helpful if the team knows what they are for.
Should a favicon be included?
Confirm it in the scope. A favicon may need a simplified version of the mark to remain recognisable at very small sizes.
