Choosing the right file format for a logo

For a Word or Powerpoint document
You need a GIF (.gif) file. These are 'bitmap' files (pictures made of dots), and will be easily imported by Office applications. JPEG (.jpg) files are unsuitable for logos - they are intended for colour photographs. I provide GIF files because they use up less disc space, but bigger BMP (.bmp) files an alternative.

For a web page
For this you need a GIF file. Don't try to scale it though!

Professional print
Here the GIF file is all but useless. You need an EPS file. These are 'Vector' files. (see below) Because EPS files are big, (they take up a lot of disk space, and take a long time to download) I 'compress' them with a program called Stuffit. They end up with the suffix '.sit'. They are only really suitable for professionals who use Apple Macs.

Definitions
Bitmap files are made up of rows and columns of dots. When you enlarge them, you can see the dots.


Vector files are made up of mathematically described geometric lines and shapes (rather than coloured dots) and so will never get 'blocky', whatever size you print them.

GIF Graphic Interchange Format. This sort of bitmap file is very good for simple line art, logos and icons. It is rubbish for photos.

JPEG Joint Photographic Experts Group files are bitmaps which are great for photos but very poor for logos or text.

EPS Encapsulated Postscript Files are vector files and used by printers, designers and other graphics professionals. Logos designed in Illustrator or Freehand (most are) will be originally in this format. From this file, you can make as many 'bitmap' versions at whatever size you choose. They are infinitely scalable.

BMP Bit Map Picture files are commonly used on Windows PCs. They are not suitable for transfer across the Internet, because they are poorly compressed.