Knowledge Base

Keep your edits on-brand and error-free with tips on vector handling, scaling, and color integrity.

Editing your Logomax logo in Adobe Illustrator gives you full creative control — from adjusting colors to adding taglines or creating alternate layouts. But with that flexibility comes the risk of making subtle but damaging mistakes. Improper edits can weaken your brand’s consistency, reduce your logo’s quality, or even make it unusable in print or digital formats.

This guide outlines the most common mistakes people make when editing logos in Illustrator — and how you can avoid them to ensure every logo variation remains crisp, consistent, and ready for professional use.

1. Editing a Raster File Instead of a Vector Source

❌ The Mistake:

Trying to edit a PNG, JPG, or PDF version of your logo.

✅ The Fix:

Always edit the SVG or EPS file included with your Logomax logo. These are true vector formats that allow for:

• Infinite scalability
• Element-by-element editing
• Clean exports in any format

You can download your SVG and EPS files from your Logomax dashboard within 60 days after purchase.

2. Stretching or Distorting the Logo

❌ The Mistake:

Resizing the logo using side handles without maintaining proportions.

✅ The Fix:

• Always resize by dragging corner handles while holding Shift
• Or use the Transform panel and ensure the aspect ratio lock icon is enabled

A stretched or squashed logo undermines professionalism and weakens your visual identity.

3. Ungrouping Elements and Forgetting to Regroup

❌ The Mistake:

Ungrouping the logo to edit individual components (e.g., to change text or colors), then forgetting to regroup — leading to misalignment or disorganization.

✅ The Fix:

• Use Object > Ungroup only when needed
• Once your edits are complete, press Ctrl+A (Cmd+A on Mac), then Ctrl+G to regroup the entire logo
• Grouped elements ensure that resizing or moving the logo keeps everything aligned

4. Using the Wrong Color Mode

❌ The Mistake:

Designing or exporting your logo in RGB when it’s intended for print — or using CMYK when it’s intended for screens.

✅ The Fix:

Set the correct document color mode based on your use case:

• RGB for websites, social media, and email
• CMYK for brochures, business cards, packaging, and anything that will be printed

How to switch:
Go to File > Document Color Mode > RGB Color or CMYK Color

This ensures accurate and consistent color representation in all environments.

5. Forgetting to Use Exact Brand Colors

❌ The Mistake:

Manually picking colors by eye, leading to slight inconsistencies across different logo versions.

✅ The Fix:

Use the Color Panel or Swatches Panel to apply exact HEX (for digital) or CMYK (for print) values. If you have a brand style guide, input those color values directly.

Consistent color builds brand trust and visual recognition.

6. Leaving Unnecessary Backgrounds in Place

❌ The Mistake:

Leaving a solid white rectangle or background shape in the logo when a transparent background is needed — which causes display issues on websites and overlays.

✅ The Fix:

• Select and Delete any background elements
• When exporting to PNG, check the Transparent Background option

For a true transparent export, the background must be removed before exporting.

7. Exporting at Low Resolution or the Wrong Format

❌ The Mistake:

Exporting a raster version (like PNG or JPG) at a low resolution or without considering transparency needs.

✅ The Fix:

• Use 300 PPI for print and 96–150 PPI for digital
• Export PNG with transparency for overlays
• Use PDF or EPS for high-res print jobs
• Use SVG for responsive websites or apps

Always preview your exported file in its target environment.

8. Ignoring Small-Scale Legibility

❌ The Mistake:

Using the full logo (including tagline) at small sizes like favicons or app icons — resulting in unreadable text and visual clutter.

✅ The Fix:

Create a simplified or icon-only version of your logo for small-scale uses. Keep just the visual symbol, or design a clean monogram variant.

Use our guide on creating icon-only versions in Illustrator for step-by-step help.

9. Not Saving an Editable AI File

❌ The Mistake:

Only exporting finished formats (like PNG or PDF) and forgetting to save an editable master file.

✅ The Fix:

• Save every edited logo version as an AI (Adobe Illustrator) file
• Use clear, versioned filenames like:
  • logo_with_tagline.ai
  • logo_monochrome.ai
  • logo_2025_update.ai

This ensures you can come back and make changes in the future — without starting over.

10. Over-Editing or Redesigning the Logo

❌ The Mistake:

Making excessive layout changes, switching fonts, or redesigning the structure in a way that deviates from your original Logomax logo — which may damage your brand consistency or reduce trademark eligibility.

✅ The Fix:

Stick to lightweight edits:

• Adding or changing a tagline
• Modifying colors to match your palette
• Creating alternate layouts (horizontal, stacked, icon-only)

For deeper visual changes, it’s often better to purchase a new Logomax logo or work with a designer.

Conclusion: Clean Edits Keep Your Logo Strong

Your Logomax logo was designed to be professional and versatile — and when handled properly in Adobe Illustrator, it can adapt to any use case while maintaining the integrity of your brand.

Final Tips:

• ✅ Always edit from the SVG or EPS file
• ✅ Lock proportions during resizing
• ✅ Use exact color values and correct color modes
• ✅ Export with the right settings for print or digital
• ✅ Save an editable AI file for future revisions

Need to change your brand name, tagline, or colors before editing further? Logomax offers free customization within 30 days of purchase, accessible directly from your dashboard.

With a few smart precautions and the right tools, your logo edits will look just as professional as the original — everywhere your brand appears.