You’ve got a shiny new logo – congrats! Whether you’ve just rebranded or finally waved goodbye to a pixelated relic from 2003, a new logo is a big deal. But now what?
A great logo is just the start. To really make it work for you, you need to know how to use it consistently and confidently. Here’s our no-nonsense guide to making sure your logo doesn’t just sit pretty, it works hard.
1. Know Your Formats
Your designer should’ve handed over a lovely little folder packed with logo files. But what are they all for?
- .EPS or .SVG – Scalable files for print or web. Use these for anything big (signage, posters) or anything vector-based (like embroidery or engraving).
- .PNG – Great for web. Has a transparent background so it plays nice over coloured blocks or images.
- .JPG – Good for simple web use, but has a white background and can’t scale cleanly.
- .PDF – Often a good all-rounder for print. Can embed vector info and colours.
Pro tip: Don’t drag your logo off your website to stick it in a Word doc. It’ll look fuzzy and sad. Always go back to the source files.
2. Use It Consistently
Your logo is like your signature – use it the same way, every time.
- Don’t squish it.
- Don’t stretch it.
- Don’t add random drop shadows, colours or Comic Sans.
- Stick to the colours, sizes and spacing outlined in your brand toolkit
If you’ve worked with us, we’ll have included clear logo usage guidelines in your Brand Toolkit. Follow them, and you’ll be golden.
3. Mind the Space
Your logo needs breathing room. Cramming it into a corner or letting text sit too close makes it look cluttered and weak.
Use the ‘exclusion zone’ (often the height of a letter or symbol in your logo) to keep things tidy. This helps your logo stand out and hold its own – wherever it appears.
4. Match It with the Right Colours and Fonts
Your logo doesn’t live in isolation. It’s part of a wider visual system.
Using random colours or fonts next to it is like wearing a tuxedo with Crocs. It just doesn’t work.
Stick to your brand palette and typefaces. That’s how you build recognition and trust – whether someone sees your LinkedIn post, a business card, or the side of your van.
5. Keep It Accessible
Your logo needs to look good and work well for everyone – including people with visual impairments.
Make sure there’s enough contrast against backgrounds. Don’t rely on colour alone to communicate. And always test how it appears on mobile, desktop, dark mode, print, and more.
6. Prepare It for the Real World
Think beyond the screen. Where will your logo show up?
- Business cards
- Email signatures
- Uniforms
- Merchandise
- Social media
- Office signage
- Tenders and proposals
Make sure you have the right versions and file types for each. A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work — but a little planning goes a long way.
7. Share the Toolkit
Your team, suppliers and partners need access to the right assets too. Avoid the ‘Frankenstein logo’ horror of someone stretching an old version in PowerPoint.
We recommend using a centralised Brand Toolkit (we build them for clients all the time). That way, your team always knows where to find the right logo, in the right format, with the right rules.
In a Nutshell…
A good logo is more than just a pretty face. When used right, it becomes a powerful symbol of who you are and what you stand for.
Treat it with care, use it with consistency, and it’ll reward you with recognition, professionalism – and maybe even a few compliments from your competitors (hey, it happens).
Want help pulling your new look together?
Whether it’s a full Brand Toolkit, editable templates, or a social media glow-up — we’re here for it.
