The Logo Process Part 8: Finalization
Posted: March 24th, 2010 | Author: anthony | Filed under: The Logo Process | No Comments »
This is the last of the articles in the Logo Process series. In this article we look at how to take an approved design and prepare it for delivery to the client. This includes, file preparation, storage, organization and archiving. If you have followed along from the beginning you have come a long way. This is the home stretch and the finish line is in sight.
Goals and Objectives
When a logo design is completed it is important to properly prepare the logo files for the client. When preparing the files there are certain things that must be done to the design itself and an array of versions that the design needs to be saved in.
The goal is to provide maximum compatibility and flexibility for those who will use the completed design. It might be the printer at a print company, the client inserting the logo into a word document or a web-designer using the logo on a website.
No matter the person using it, there should be a file for them to use or a version of the logo that fits the needs of the job at hand.
Preparing the Design
Before we save the design into its many versions there are a few things we must do to the actual design itself. These preparations ensure that there are no problems when the design is used.
Type to Outlines: More than likely the logo will include some form of type. The problem is that the type used is an actual typeface, not a shape. If you were to send the design to a printer and they didn’t have that typeface installed on their computer a different typeface would be needed in its place, causing the design to change.
We don’t want our designs to change so to fix this we need to select the type and convert it into outlines. When you do this, nothing will change visually but the structure of the type will be a shape composed of anchor points and paths just like any other shape that can be understood at any printer.
Don’t forget to save this new design as a separate file incase you need to go back and ever edit the original type in the design.
Grouping Elements: Once the type is converted to outlines you should only have elements composed of shapes as your design. If you haven’t done so already make sure that everything is grouped together.
This ensures that nothing will be moved or accidentally shifted, keeping the design intact as it was when you delivered it.
Saving the Files
Organization
When saving the files you want to save each version as a separate file. Before you do this prepare the folders where you will save the files so that everything is kept organized. Your folder structure should look something like this.
Versions
When saving a logo there are three main formats you want to save it as every time. These are the original Illustrator format, an EPS format and a format to use on the web (I use PNG). When saving the files make sure that each file is cleaned up by deleting any unneeded swatches, graphic styles. pallets etc.
For each category the logo should be saved as the following:
Color: This is the primary version of the logo, with or without the tagline and should be used whenever possible above all other versions.
Black and White: This version is used when printing with pure black, grayscale or just one color.
Reverse: A reverse version is just a white version of the logo that is used when the logo needs to be visible on a dark background such as black. In printing white is the absence of color and the white version prevents ink from being applied to that area creating a knockout effect.
Web: The web versions of the logo are meant to be used when a raster image of the logo is required such as online or in a document. To save a design as a raster image there are some steps involved.
First the design must be cropped to the right size, leaving some space around the logo.
Once cropped you can save it as a raster image by going to File>Save for Web and Devices
It is also good practice to save it at multiple sizes, large, medium and small. I use 500px width, 300px, and 200px.
The Complete Set
Depending on the logo you may or may not have all of these files. For instance if your logo is only in black then you don’t need color versions. Or if your logo does not include a tagline you won’t need to save it with and without a tagline. Use the following image as a guide to what a complete file set looks like.
Things to Include with the Files Once you have completed all of the files and saved them to their locations it is good practice to include some sort of readme file for how the files are used and when they are used. In most cases for small companies a readme file will be good enough, however for larger companies a complete style guide will be needed.
Delivery
Now that the files have been saved and organized you want to get the files to the client. However, make sure you get paid in full before delivering. There are two ways you can get the files to your client.
One being through email by sending them a zip file with everything included, the second way would be by sending the client a hard copy on a CD through the mail. Use whichever option works best.
Archiving
The project is now completed, you are paid and your client is happily using and implementing their new identity. Before celebrating there is some house keeping to do.
To ensure that your records are kept in order make sure everything belonging to this project is kept in one location. This includes, pre-contract discussions, the design brief, the contract, any research and images you have gathered and any files and emails associated with the project.
By keeping everything in one location as one project you have a complete record regarding every aspect of the project. You never know what kind of client you will have and in case you need any paperwork for legal reasons you have it.
If your client loses their files you have them, and if your client comes to you for more work you still have all the information used for their previous project that you can apply to a new project.
Don’t forget to backup the project so you never lose it in an emergency either. Once you have completed these tasks you can happily call this project completed.
In Conclusion
Congratulations, if you have been following from the start you have made it to the finish line and have successfully completed a logo project the right way. It took more than a few hours and hopefully you charged a good price for the amount of work and time the project took.
I hope this series has helped you understand the logo process and you should feel comfortable at every step of the process, not just when you are sketching or in Illustrator.
As you probably know this isn’t the only project you will work on and the process will be started again.
Related Posts:
- The Logo Process Part 7: Color Development
- The Logo Process: The Complete Guide
- The Logo Process Part 6: Presenting Concepts
- The Logo Process Part 5: Concept Development
- The Logo Process Part 2: Creating a Contract
- The Logo Process Part 1: Gathering Information
- The Logo Process Part 3: Researching
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