By Mehdi HassanWhat logo files should you get from a designer?
From a designer you should get a complete, organized set of logo files covering every version of the logo, every color variant, screen and print formats, small-size icons, the editable source and the documents that let you use and own it. If any of those are missing, you'll be paying someone later to fill the gap.
The checklist below is written so you can paste it into a contract or statement of work. It's deliberately specific, because "all necessary logo files" means different things to different designers. For an explanation of each format and what it's for, see our hub guide to logo file formats.
What is the complete logo deliverables checklist?
The complete logo deliverables checklist has eight parts: lockups, color versions, screen formats, print formats, icons, source files, brand basics and ownership. Work through it in order and tick off each line.
- Lockups. Primary (usually horizontal), stacked or secondary, symbol only and wordmark only, if your logo has those parts.
- Color versions of each lockup. Full color, solid black, solid white and a reversed version for dark backgrounds.
- Screen formats. SVG and PNG with transparent backgrounds for every lockup and color version, in RGB.
- Print formats. Vector PDF and EPS in CMYK for every lockup, with text outlined. Spot color versions if your brand uses them.
- Icons and small sizes. Favicon files, an app icon master, a social avatar version and a minimum-size version of the symbol.
- Source files. The editable Figma or Adobe Illustrator file with all lockups and versions on clearly named artboards.
- Brand basics. Color codes (HEX, RGB, CMYK and spot if used), font names, font license details, clear space and minimum size rules.
- Ownership. A written IP assignment transferring rights in the final logo to your company, and confirmation that no third-party elements need separate licenses.
The lockups in line one are explained in our guide to logo variations, and the reversed versions in line two are covered in our guide to logos on dark and light backgrounds.
Which logo deliverables matter most?
The source file, the reversed and one-color versions and the IP assignment matter most, because they're the hardest to fix later. Missing a PNG size is a five-minute export. Missing the source file can mean a full redraw, and a missing assignment can mean you don't legally own your logo.
Deliverable | Why it matters | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
Editable source file | Every future change starts here | Only exports delivered, or a view-only link |
Reversed and one-color versions | Needed for dark UI, photos and partner pages | Only a full-color version |
SVG files | Sharp, small logos on the website and in the product | PNG only |
CMYK print files | Accurate color on printed materials | RGB files labeled as print-ready |
Symbol and favicon versions | Browser tabs, app icons and avatars | Full logo squashed into a square |
Font names and licenses | Your team can recreate headings and materials | Unnamed or unlicensed fonts |
IP assignment | Legal ownership of the logo | No mention of rights in the contract |
If the logo came from an AI tool, many of these simply won't exist. You'll get a raster image and perhaps an SVG, but no lockups, print files or source in a usable form. Our comparison of AI logo generators vs hiring a designer covers that gap.
How should the logo package files be organized?
Logo package files should be organized by purpose first, then by version, with clear file names. A sensible structure has separate folders for source, screen, print, icons and guidelines. That way a developer, a marketer or a printer can find what they need without asking.
File names should describe the file fully, such as company-logo-stacked-white-rgb.png. Avoid names like logo-final-2.png. If your designer uses a different structure, that's fine, as long as it's consistent and every file is easy to identify. Our logo file formats guide includes the full folder structure we recommend asking for.
Contract-ready deliverables wording you can adapt
Example wording, to be reviewed by your own lawyer before use:
"On final payment, the Designer will deliver: (a) the final logo in primary, secondary and symbol-only lockups; (b) each lockup in full color, black, white and reversed versions; (c) SVG and transparent PNG files in RGB, and vector PDF and EPS files in CMYK, with text converted to outlines; (d) favicon and app icon source files; (e) the editable source file containing all lockups and versions; (f) a document listing color values in HEX, RGB and CMYK, font names and font license terms, clear space and minimum size; and (g) a signed assignment of all intellectual property rights in the final logo to the Client. The Designer confirms the final logo contains no third-party artwork requiring a separate license."
How do you check the logo files on delivery?
Check logo files on delivery by opening each format, testing the files in real use and comparing the set against your checklist before you sign off. It doesn't take long, and it catches problems while the designer still remembers the project.
Count against the checklist
Go line by line through the deliverables list and confirm each lockup, color version and format is there.
Zoom in on vector files
Open the SVG and PDF files and zoom in heavily. Edges should stay crisp. If they pixelate, the file is raster in disguise.
Test on real backgrounds
Place the white and reversed versions on your darkest brand color and on a photo. Check nothing disappears.
Check padding and cropping
Line up several exports side by side. The space around the logo should be consistent, or headers and logo walls will look uneven.
Open the source file
Make sure it opens, contains every version and that text has been outlined or the fonts are named.
Confirm the paperwork
Check you have the IP assignment and font license information before you mark the project complete.
What about fonts and licenses in a logo handoff?
A logo handoff should name every font used in the logo and your brand, and explain how each one is licensed. The logo itself usually doesn't need the font once the text is outlined. But your team will need the fonts for the website, slides and marketing, and some fonts require paid licenses for commercial or web use.
- Free fonts from sources like Google Fonts can usually be used commercially, but check the specific license.
- Paid fonts need a license for each use: desktop, web, app and sometimes per user. The designer's license doesn't automatically cover you.
- Custom lettering in the wordmark should be outlined artwork, with no font dependency at all.
- Web fonts need a separate check for your website build. Our website deliverables checklist covers what to own at handover.
Is a logo package enough, or do you need a full brand identity?
A logo package is enough if you only need the mark itself and plan to build the rest of your brand later. If you're launching a website, a product or a fundraise soon, you'll usually need more: color system, typography, imagery direction and examples of the brand on real screens. A logo alone doesn't settle how the rest looks.
Our brand identity checklist lists what a full branding project should deliver beyond the logo files. If you're evaluating the logo itself before investing further, run it through our 10 tests for a good logo. And if the files you have are only raster images, our guide on how to get a vector version of your logo explains the fix.
