The short version
If you have your logo as a vector file (ends in .ai, .eps, .pdf or .svg), send us that.
If you only have it as a picture (ends in .jpg, .png, or it’s the one you copied off Google), we can usually still make your sign — but we may need to redraw it first. That’s skilled design work and it’s chargeable.
Why does it matter?
✓ Vector — this is what we need
A vector file describes your logo as shapes and instructions. We can scale it from a business card to the side of a van and every edge stays razor-sharp. We can also separate the colours for cutting, pull out individual elements, or change a Pantone in seconds.
✕ Raster — needs redrawing for signage
A raster file (also called a bitmap) is your logo as a grid of coloured dots. The bigger we print it, the more obvious the dots become. We can’t cleanly cut vinyl from it, can’t guarantee colour accuracy, and large signs end up fuzzy.
How do I tell what I have?
Look at the file extension — the bit after the dot in the filename.
| File extension | Type | OK for signage? |
|---|---|---|
.ai | Adobe Illustrator | Yes — vector |
.eps | Encapsulated PostScript | Yes — vector |
.pdf | Usually — depends what’s inside (vector or scanned image) | |
.svg | Scalable Vector Graphics | Yes — vector |
.png | PNG image | No — raster, needs redrawing |
.jpg / .jpeg | JPEG image | No — raster, needs redrawing |
.gif / .webp | Web images | No — raster, needs redrawing |
.psd | Adobe Photoshop | Usually no — assume needs redrawing unless we say otherwise |
Not sure? Just send what you’ve got and we’ll tell you straight.
What if I don’t have a vector file?
Three options, in order of cheapest to most thorough:
1. Ask whoever designed your logo
If a designer made your logo, they almost certainly have the original vector files. Ask them for the master Illustrator file or EPS. It’s yours — you paid for it. Even old designers usually still have the files if you ask politely.
2. Send us what you’ve got and we’ll redraw it
The most common option. Send your best-quality version (the bigger the better) and tell us what colours it should be. We’ll redraw it as a clean vector that matches your existing logo as closely as possible. Most logo redraws take 1–4 hours of design time at our standard rate of £40 per hour ex VAT.
We always quote the redraw cost upfront before any work starts, and you get the new vector files to keep — useful for future signs, business cards, anything else you need them for.
3. Start from scratch
If you don’t have a logo yet, or your existing one is past its sell-by date, we can design a fresh one. This is a bigger conversation — we’ll scope it with you over a quick call.
Colour: a quick note
If your brand uses specific colours, tell us the Pantone number or hex code. We can usually colour-match from a printed sample (a brochure or business card) but it costs more accuracy than handing us the exact reference.
Before you ask us to quote: a checklist
- Your logo file (vector if you have it, best raster if not)
- Permission for us to redraw if needed (we’ll quote first, but worth flagging)
- Colour reference: Pantone numbers, hex codes, or a printed example we can match to
- Any text that needs to appear alongside the logo (opening hours, phone, web)
- The size and location of the sign, if you know it
Send us what you’ve got
We’ll tell you straight: ready to print, needs a redraw, or somewhere in between.
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