You're ready to get your logo printed on your packaging, and you want it to look absolutely perfect – crisp, professional, and worthy of your brand. Whether you're ordering shipping labels, mailer bags, or brand stickers, getting your logo file right is the key to making sure your packaging looks as amazing in real life as it does on your screen.
Common Logo File Types Explained
Before we dive into the how-to, let's break down the most common file types you'll encounter:
PNG (Portable Network Graphics) Perfect for web use but can be limiting for print. While PNGs support transparency (great for logos!), they're resolution-dependent, meaning they can become pixelated when scaled up.
JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) Common but not ideal for logos. JPEGs don't support transparency and can lose quality each time you edit them. They're better suited for photographs than logos.
SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) The champion of logo files! SVGs use mathematical formulas to create your design, meaning they stay crystal clear whether they're on a tiny shipping label or a massive banner. Think of it like a digital map - you can zoom in infinitely, and the lines stay sharp.
PDF (Portable Document Format) A reliable format that can contain both vector and raster elements. PDFs are widely accepted by printers and maintain their quality well. However, they're not always ideal for logos since they can be harder to edit and might contain hidden raster elements that could affect quality.
Why SVG is Your Best Friend for Print
Imagine building a house. A raster file (PNG/JPEG) would be like using a photograph of a house as your blueprint - try to make it bigger, and it gets blurry.
Always enlarge the file to make sure it does not look pixelated like this
An SVG file is like having the actual architectural plans - you can scale it to any size because you have the exact instructions for building it.
For online shop owners, this means:
- Your logo will look professional across all packaging sizes
- You won't need multiple versions of your logo for different applications
- Your branding stays consistent and sharp everywhere
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One of the common mistakes we see is when shop owners upload a low-resolution image to Canva, then try to export it as a "high-quality" file. Unfortunately, if the original image is low quality, no export setting can magically improve it. It's like trying to make a small photo bigger - you can't add detail that wasn't there to begin with.
Exporting to SVG format from Canva: Step-by-Step Guide
Here's how to get the best quality when exporting from Canva:
- Hit the "Share" button
- Click "Download"
- Under File Type, select SVG and click Download
A rule of thumb is to always open the file on your computer and enlarge it a couple of times to make sure that the image file is still crisp when being blown up.
What If You Can't Get an SVG?
When you cannot export as SVG format, PNG would be the recommended option. Here's how to make the best of it:
- Start with high-quality elements
- Export your design 3-4 times larger than you need - you can always scale down, but scaling up will lose quality
Wrap-Up
Your packaging is often the first physical interaction customers have with your brand. By using the right file types and export settings, you ensure that first impression is as professional as possible.
Got questions about your logo files or need help troubleshooting print quality? Drop them in the comments below - we're here to help your brand shine!
FAQs
