Knowledge Base

Save your logo with the right background, resolution, and file format from Inkscape.

Whether your logo will appear on a website header, a business card, or product packaging, preparing it for export is a vital final step in the design process. That’s where understanding how to export your logo for print, web, and transparency in Inkscape becomes critical. Even a professionally designed logo can lose its impact if it’s exported with the wrong resolution, background, or file format — resulting in a blurry, distorted, or inconsistent brand experience.

Inkscape gives you the flexibility to tailor your exports for every platform. With its precision tools, you can control canvas size, background transparency, file type, and output resolution — ensuring your Logomax logo remains sharp, scalable, and true to your original design. Whether you're creating a transparent PNG for digital overlays, a high-resolution PDF for print, or an optimized SVG for development, Inkscape helps you handle it with ease.

This step-by-step guide walks you through each part of the export process — so your final files are not only technically correct, but also visually polished and perfectly aligned with your brand standards.

1. Always Start with the SVG File

Your Logomax logo includes a high-quality SVG file, which retains full vector properties. This is the ideal file to use when preparing any exported version.

You can download your SVG logo file directly from your Logomax dashboard within 60 days after purchase. Always keep this master file saved securely for future editing or export.

Avoid working from PNG or JPG copies, which are raster-based and will degrade in quality when resized or exported multiple times.

2. Open Your Logo and Set Up the Canvas

1. Launch Inkscape
2. Go to File > Open
3. Select your SVG logo file
4. Click Open

Your logo will appear on the canvas. If needed, press Ctrl+A and Ctrl+G to ensure all parts of the logo are grouped before export.

3. Choose the Right File Format for Each Use Case

Each platform or medium may require a different file type. Below are the recommended formats and when to use each:

For Web and Digital Use:

Export Format: PNG

• Best for websites, social media, email footers, and presentations
• Supports transparent backgrounds (perfect for overlays or dark/light themes)

Settings:

• DPI: 96–150
• Transparent background: Yes
• File size: Small to moderate
• Color profile: RGB

For Print:

Export Format: PDF or PNG (300 DPI)

• Use for business cards, flyers, product packaging, signage
• Preserves resolution and print-safe quality

Settings:

• DPI: 300
• Color profile: CMYK (handled by the print shop or PDF export tool)
• Background: White or transparent (based on design)

If your printer requires vector files, you can also export or save as PDF (vector) for crisp line work and scalable print output.

For Development or Advanced Use:

Export Format: SVG

• Use for websites, apps, or further editing
• Keeps full vector integrity
• Compatible with responsive design tools

SVG exports in Inkscape maintain editability and are perfect for future layout adjustments.

4. Set the Background for Transparent Export

To make your PNG file export with a transparent background:

1. Go to File > Document Properties (Shift+Ctrl+D)
2. Under the Background color section, click the color bar
3. Set the Alpha (A) value to 0
4. Click OK

This ensures your logo will have no background color and can be placed seamlessly over other designs.

5. Define the Export Area

When exporting, you can control exactly how much of the canvas is included in your final image:

• Page: Exports the full canvas dimensions
• Drawing: Exports the visible logo without extra space
• Selection: Exports only what’s selected (ideal for exporting just the logo)

To select the correct area:

1. Select your grouped logo (Ctrl+A)
2. Go to File > Export PNG Image (Shift+Ctrl+E)
3. In the Export dialog under "Export Area", choose:
   • Selection for cleanly cropped logos
   • Or Drawing if your logo fits well within the page bounds

6. Set the Correct DPI and Dimensions

In the Export dialog:

• DPI (dots per inch) determines quality:
  • Use 96 or 150 DPI for digital display
  • Use 300 DPI for print
• Width / Height: Adjust these manually if needed to match a required size (in pixels or mm)

For best results, preview your logo at the size it will appear to ensure text is readable and detail is preserved.

7. Export the Logo

1. In the Export PNG Image dialog:
   • Choose your export location
   • Name your file clearly (e.g., logo_website.png, logo_print_highres.png, logo_transparent.png)
   • Click Export As
2. Once your path is set, click Export

Be sure to test your exported file to ensure clarity, background transparency (if needed), and size accuracy.

8. Save Master and Export Versions Separately

To stay organized, consider creating a dedicated folder like this:

/Logo/

   ├── logo_primary.svg

   ├── logo_web_transparent.png

   ├── logo_email_signature.png

   ├── logo_print_300dpi.pdf

   ├── logo_favicon_64px.png

This keeps your original editable file intact while giving you quick access to use-specific versions.

Common Exporting Mistakes to Avoid

• ❌ Forgetting to set the background alpha to 0 for transparency
• ❌ Exporting from an ungrouped logo, resulting in cropped or misplaced elements
• ❌ Using low DPI for print (causes blurriness)
• ❌ Exporting PNGs with large white margins instead of clean crops
• ❌ Overwriting your master SVG file with an exported format

Always export from a grouped version of your SVG and keep master files untouched.

Clean Exports for Every Application

Exporting your Logomax logo from Inkscape isn’t just a technical step — it’s how you ensure your brand looks polished across every touchpoint. With the right export settings, your logo will appear clean, readable, and properly formatted whether viewed on a screen or printed on packaging.

Final Tips:

• ✅ Always use your SVG file for exporting — it preserves resolution and scalability
• ✅ Use PNG with transparency for digital platforms
• ✅ Export at 300 DPI for print materials
• ✅ Name and save each version clearly to avoid confusion
• ✅ Preview each file before final use

Need to change your logo’s brand name, tagline, or colors before exporting? You can request a free customization from Logomax within 30 days after purchase, directly from your dashboard.

With Inkscape and the professional formats provided by Logomax, your logo will always look its best — wherever it goes.