Knowledge Base

Use Illustrator’s export settings to create files optimized for digital, print, and transparent applications.

Whether it’s being placed on your website, printed on marketing materials, or layered over backgrounds in a presentation or social media graphic, one of the most important steps in preserving your logo’s quality, flexibility, and brand integrity is to export your logo for print, web, and transparency in Adobe Illustrator using the correct settings. Simply copying your logo into another application or using a generic export option may result in blurry edges, color shifts, or opaque backgrounds — all of which can undermine the professional look of your Logomax design.

By taking full advantage of Illustrator’s export tools, you can create optimized versions of your logo tailored to any platform — from crisp, transparent PNGs for web overlays to high-resolution PDFs and EPS files suitable for brochures, signage, and product packaging. These exports retain full vector fidelity, ensuring that your logo scales beautifully without distortion or loss of detail.

This step-by-step guide will walk you through how to export your logo for various output scenarios, helping you produce clean, reliable assets that maintain your brand’s visual consistency across digital and print environments. With the right settings in place, your logo will look polished and professional — every time, everywhere.

1. Start with the Correct File Format

To ensure full-quality exports, always begin with your SVG or EPS logo file from Logomax.

You can download these files from your Logomax dashboard within 60 days after purchase. They are vector-based and support high-resolution, scalable editing and exporting.

Avoid using PNG or JPG files as your source, as they are raster-based and will limit your export options and quality.

2. Open Your Logo in Adobe Illustrator

1. Open Adobe Illustrator
2. Go to File > Open
3. Select your SVG or EPS file and click Open

Check that your logo appears correctly and that all elements are grouped. If not, press Ctrl+A (Cmd+A) and Ctrl+G (Cmd+G) to group the full logo before exporting.

3. Exporting for Web and Digital Use

File Formats: PNG or SVG

🔹 PNG — for websites, social media, email signatures, presentations

• Supports transparency
• Ideal for digital display and overlays

Steps to Export:

1. Go to File > Export > Export As
2. Choose PNG from the format dropdown
3. Check Use Artboards (to crop accurately)
4. Click Export

Settings:

• Resolution: 96 or 150 PPI for standard screens; 300 PPI for sharp high-res display
• Background: Check Transparent Background if you want to overlay your logo
• Anti-aliasing: Leave on for smooth edges

Tip: If you're unsure of size, set width to 500–800 px for typical web logos, and 300 × 100 px for email signatures.

🔹 SVG — for web development and scaling needs

• Fully scalable
• Editable in code
• Perfect for responsive layouts and modern websites

Steps to Export:

1. Go to File > Export > Export As
2. Choose SVG
3. Enable Use Artboards if needed
4. Click Export

Use SVG when working with developers, for animations, or for use in apps.

4. Exporting for Print Applications

File Formats: PDF or EPS

🔹 PDF — ideal for business cards, flyers, posters, brochures

• Maintains vector format
• Preserves layout and fonts
• Easy to preview and share

Steps to Export:

1. Go to File > Save As
2. Choose Adobe PDF (.pdf)
3. Select a location and name your file
4. Click Save

Recommended PDF Settings:

• Adobe PDF Preset: High Quality Print
• Compatibility: Acrobat 6 or higher
• Ensure Preserve Illustrator Editing Capabilities is checked if you want to reopen later
• Ensure Compression is set to maximum quality
• Marks and Bleeds: Enable only if required by your printer

Tip: Before exporting, go to File > Document Color Mode and switch to CMYK for accurate print colors.

🔹 EPS — used for professional printing and compatibility with legacy systems

• Maintains full vector quality
• Works with most commercial printers and design tools

Steps to Export:

1. Go to File > Save As
2. Choose EPS
3. Click Save

Leave default EPS settings unless otherwise requested by your print provider.

5. Exporting with Transparent Backgrounds

Transparency is essential when placing logos over colored or photographic backgrounds in digital use.

To ensure a transparent export:

Step 1: Remove Any Background Layers

• Select any rectangle or shape behind your logo
• Press Delete to remove it

Step 2: Set Transparency in PNG Export

• Go to File > Export > Export As
• Choose PNG
• In the dialog box, make sure Transparent Background is selected

Illustrator does not include a visual background preview by default. You can test transparency by opening your exported PNG in a tool like Photoshop or uploading it to a website with a colored background.

6. Save Your Files with Clear Names

To stay organized and avoid overwriting files, use descriptive naming conventions like:

/Logo/

logo_primary_rgb.svg 

logo_social_800x800.png 

logo_print_300dpi.pdf 

logo_transparent_white_text.png 

logo_highres_eps.eps

Save all versions in clearly labeled folders for reuse across platforms.

7. Test Each Exported File

Before final use, open each exported file and verify:

• The logo is sharp and not pixelated
• The size matches the use case
• The background is transparent if intended
• The color matches expectations on screen or in print preview

If you're preparing files for a printer, send them a proof or ask for specific requirements (e.g., bleed, color profile, file format).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• ❌ Exporting from PNG or JPG instead of SVG
• ❌ Leaving a white box behind the logo when transparency is needed
• ❌ Using RGB mode for files intended for print (can lead to color shifts)
• ❌ Exporting at too low a resolution for print (use 300 DPI)
• ❌ Not checking export size before uploading or printing

Conclusion: The Right Export = A Professional First Impression

Exporting your Logomax logo correctly ensures your brand looks polished, reliable, and ready for any medium. Whether you're sharing it online or preparing for a print run, Illustrator gives you full control over how your logo appears — and ensures the quality matches your professionalism.

Final Tips:

• ✅ Use PNG or SVG for digital, and PDF or EPS for print
• ✅ Enable transparent backgrounds when needed
• ✅ Adjust DPI and format to match each use case
• ✅ Always test and label your final exports clearly
• ✅ Keep your AI, SVG, and EPS files backed up for future updates

Want to update your text, colors, or tagline before exporting? Logomax offers free customization within 30 days of purchase — simply request it from your dashboard.

Your logo is more than a graphic — it's your brand identity. Export it right, and let it represent you perfectly everywhere it goes.