Obtaining Vector Logos for Print

I was recently working on a project where I needed to use corporate logos on print pieces but was only given small pixel based images for a handful of the logos. I made attempts to get vector based versions of the logos, but in some cases that effort was in vain.

Since small pixel based images would look very unprofessional in print and I wasn’t about to attempt to recreate the logos in Illustrator, I was stuck pondering how to obtain the logos in a vector based format.

There are some “logo bank” sites out there, but for the most part that proved fruitless. So I was once again back at the drawing board.

Then it hit me…do a search for PDF’s that may contain the company logo that you’re after. Once you have the PDF, open it in Adobe Illustrator. At this point you’ll most likely have the logo you were looking for in a vector format and can use it in your project.

There are a few caveats though…

1. If a PDF is password protected for editing, you won’t be able to do this while the password is in place.
2. If the logo used in the PDF is pixel based, you’ll still have a pixel based logo.
3. If the type in the vector version of the logo wasn’t converted to outlines, you’ll need to have the fonts used in the logo installed on your system.
4. If the logo isn’t readily available, there may be a good reason for that, so make sure you’re well within usage guidelines and can legally do so. And if possible, get permission first.

About The Author: Brian Groce