What file types can I send for my logo?
By Promogator Staff
Reviewed Nov 4, 2026 2 min read
Vector files are best: AI, EPS, SVG or a vector PDF. They stay sharp at any size. If you have no vector file, a high-resolution PNG, PSD, TIFF or JPG at 300 DPI or more usually works. Even a photo or sketch can be redrawn into a print-ready file.
- Vector files (AI, EPS, SVG, PDF) are the best choice for any decoration method.
- High-resolution PNG, PSD, TIFF or JPG at 300 DPI or more also work.
- Never send a screenshot or a small image pulled from a website.
- A transparent background makes placement cleaner than a white box.
- If you only have a low-quality file, a designer can often redraw it.
Vector vs. raster: the difference that matters
Logo files fall into two groups.
Vector files store your logo as math: points, lines and curves. You can make them tiny or billboard-sized with no loss of quality. Common vector types are AI (Adobe Illustrator), EPS, SVG and PDF. A PDF can be vector or raster, so it depends on how it was saved.
Raster files store your logo as a grid of pixels. Common types are PNG, JPG, TIFF and PSD. They look fine at their original size but turn blurry or jagged when enlarged.
Printers and embroiderers prefer vector files because the decorator can resize the art, separate colors and set up equipment without guessing.
What to send, in order of preference
- Vector file: AI, EPS, SVG or a vector PDF.
- High-resolution raster file: PNG (with a transparent background if possible), PSD, TIFF or JPG at 300 DPI or more at the size you want printed.
- Anything else you have: a photo of a business card, a sketch or a screenshot can still help a designer rebuild the logo, though the result takes longer to confirm.
DPI means dots per inch. A file that looks sharp on screen can still be too small to print well. As a rule, a logo that is at least a few inches wide at 300 DPI is a safer starting point than a small web graphic.
Does the decoration method change the file?
The file type you send stays the same. What changes is how the art gets used:
- Embroidery needs the logo converted into a stitch file, a step called digitizing. The decorator does this from your art.
- Screen printing and pad printing work from separated colors, so clean vector art with defined colors helps.
- Laser engraving uses one color, so simple line art works best.
Very small text (under about 6 pt) and hairline details may not reproduce well in any method, even with a perfect file.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Sending a website image. Logos saved from a site are usually small and low resolution.
- Sending a screenshot. It captures screen pixels, not the original artwork.
- Enlarging a small file. Making it bigger does not add detail.
- Leaving out color info. If you know your Pantone (PMS) numbers, include them so colors match your brand.
- Using a white box. A JPG with a white background can print as a box. A transparent PNG or vector avoids this.
If you are unsure what you have, look for the original files from whoever designed your logo. Ask for the "vector logo" or "source files."
Products that work for this
Real examples from our catalog, with live pricing. Tap one to see it with your logo.
People also ask
What artwork formats does a promotional product printer accept?
Most accept vector files (AI, EPS, SVG, PDF) and high-resolution raster files (PNG, PSD, TIFF, JPG). Vector is preferred. Many will also work from a sketch or photo and redraw it, though that adds a step.
Which logo file formats work for printing?
AI, EPS, SVG and vector PDF work best. PNG, TIFF, PSD and JPG also work when they are 300 DPI or more at the printed size. Low-resolution web images usually print poorly.
What file do I need to send for my logo?
Send your vector logo if you have one. If not, send the largest, highest-quality PNG or JPG you can find. A transparent background and your PMS color numbers make the process smoother.
Can I send a JPG or PNG logo?
Yes, if the resolution is high enough, ideally 300 DPI or more at the printed size. PNG with a transparent background is better than JPG. A small or blurry file may need to be redrawn.
