5 websites for free vector logo files
Picture the scene: You’re working on a print design project and the final action is to drop in a couple of sponsor logos. They’ve still not sent the files and ask if you can just lift the logo straight off their website. A lot of people aren’t familiar with the difference between 72dpi and 300dpi, the resolutions for web and print. You can’t simply use web graphics in a print project, and vice versa.
That’s where the following vector logo file resources come in, and may help designers find logo files quickly for graphic design projects. Some of the websites are better than others, so I’ve written a brief review for each.
A French website, with sections in English (including the vector downloads resource). Currently over 12,000 vector logos available for download, and you’ll want to use the ‘Vectorial Logotheque’ section, which is on the right at the top of the page.
Don’t be fooled by the raft of flashing ads and Google AdSense, which is kind of off-putting, because there are many, many vector logos available for download. Priority is put on the ’search’ feature, but you can also list available logos by letter (found lower down in the left hand sidebar).
A very mininal looking site, which I like (apart from the yellow text on a dark blue background). Not too much advertising either. Available in English and Russian, there are currently just shy of 5,000 vector logos available to download for free. Logos are listed by name only, but you do have the option to preview the design before downloading a .zip file, which is handy.
There are over 5,000 logos on this Spanish website, although unfortunately no preview option. The files are available for download in compressed .sit format, so a program like Stuffit is needed. Logos are listed alphabetically.
Not the largest selection, and at the time of writing, the ‘preview’ tool isn’t working, so you can’t view the logos before downloading the .zip file. According to the site, all logotypes are in the AI and EPS format, compressed to ZIP.
More logo design resources to follow
I’ll be featuring more logo design resources here very soon, so if you don’t want to miss out, get your free subscription.
If you know of any other vector logo collections, do let me know and I’ll update this post.
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18 excellent comments, click here to add one
Steven Snell
I’m not familiar with most of these. Thanks, I’ll check them out.
Steven Snell’s last blog post..25 Beautifully Colorful Websites
Feb 6th, 2008
Jermayn Parker
Correct me if im wrong but majority of the desired logos for companies needed will not be on those lists.
Jermayn Parker’s last blog post..Frew 1500: Black Poe’s Treasure
Feb 6th, 2008
mark
really like this. vector joy all round. currently stuck in logo hell, but still loving them all the same.
m
Feb 6th, 2008
David Airey
Jermayn,
With millions of companies out there, of course these few thousand won’t cover them all. But for the main corporations, don’t you think it’s worth checking? There have been a couple of projects I’ve worked on, where the logos for large organisations are needed as ’sponsors’. So even though my clients don’t include Fortune 500’s, it’s useful to have a resource that stocks their identity files.
Feb 7th, 2008
Mihaela Lica
Great resource, David. Thank you. Do you also know where I can find a vectorization tool or plugin to add to my AI program? I need to vectorize some logos for my clients and I am sure that there is a simpler solution than doing them by hand all over again.
Mihaela Lica’s last blog post..You Are a Part of My Life
Feb 11th, 2008
David Airey
You know, I’m not familiar with such a tool / plugin, but I’ll have a quick search and if I see anything I’ll be sure to get in touch. Should you find what you’re looking for please do let me know.
Feb 11th, 2008
Marcelo
I like your blog David, I will try to check it often. About vecotorize logos, Illustrator CS2 (i supouse 3 too) has that tool, isn’t it? I don’t have it but i prove it once. Now the best is do it by hand all over again.
Feb 13th, 2008
Adrian
I have just the thing you guys are looking for. One of those rare gems you find on the web: http://vectormagic.stanford.edu/
It’s called Vector Magic, developed by some people over at Stanford. It’s an online app, so you upload your bitmap images, click on some options, and in a few seconds you have a shiny new EPS ready to download.
The results are amazing, way better than Adobe’s LiveTrace (check out the comparison page). Did I mention it’s free?
You can thank me later :)
Feb 13th, 2008
David Airey
Thanks for mentioning Vector Magic. I’d not seen that one before.
Marcelo,
Have a look at Vector Magic and let me know if it’s of any help.
Feb 14th, 2008
Marcelo
Vector Magic, nice, It can help sometimes, I supouse we have always to do some changes even with freehand or illustrator vectorizing tool.
Thanks for the link by the way I will use it.
Feb 17th, 2008
MarieJoe RAIDY
Interesting websites, but the logotypes are in Bezier format, which is the evolution of Vector. Technically speaking, a vector logo only contains straight lines, whereas the logos downloaded here contain curves, known as Bezier object graphics.
Apr 10th, 2008
Laurent
Whenever a client ask us to insert a comapny logo as a competitor or a partner and of course they never can supply high res, i go to brans of the world.com, 80% of the time i found what i need.
thanks for these. very helpful.
Apr 23rd, 2008
Srish Agrawal
No sure -
Is it OK with Copyright Laws to vectorise anybody’s logo and offer it for FREE download ??
Pls advice.
Jul 13th, 2008
David Airey
I’m not sure either. It’s a good question, and one you’d be better directing at the respective site managers.
Jul 13th, 2008
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