Resizing Logos: The Do’s and Don’ts
Logos are the visual cornerstone of a brand. They carry identity, recognition, and trust—so how they appear in different spaces matters. Whether you need to make a logo bigger or fit it into a tighter space, there’s one golden rule: always maintain proportionality.
The Cardinal Rule: No Stretching or Squashing
The classic graphic designer-angst anthem “Make the Logo Bigger” proclaims “Make the logo as big as you can! Make the logo bigger!” No matter if you’re making it bigger or smaller, the cardinal rule is to always resize logos proportionally. It can definitely be tempting to tweak a logo’s aspect ratio to make it fit into a design, but resist the urge! Stretching or squashing a logo distorts its original proportions, making it look unprofessional. A warped logo sends the wrong message about your brand and it suggests a lack of attention to detail, weakening brand credibility…which no-one wants.
Tools to Resize Logos Correctly
Most design and word processing software have built-in features to help maintain proportions:
- Adobe Creative Suite: The latest versions automatically preserve aspect ratio when resizing.
- Microsoft Word & PowerPoint: Hold down the Shift key while dragging the corners to maintain proportions.
- Canva & Online Editors: These tools often include a lock aspect ratio toggle—make sure it’s enabled!
- Web Design (CSS & HTML): Always check how logos respond across screen sizes in a responsive design. Ensure the CSS settings specify correct scaling to avoid distortion.
- Bluebird Branding: If your logo needs to be resized for various assets, we can create interactive and virtual brand guidelines for your business so that, no matter the asset you’re applying your logo to, you can get the perfect size every time.
The Right Way to Fit a Logo
If your logo doesn’t fit naturally into a space:
- Resize it proportionally: Adjust the overall size instead of changing just one dimension.
- Use alternative layouts: Many brands have logo variations (stacked, horizontal, icon-only) designed for different placements.
- Increase surrounding whitespace: Rather than forcing a logo into a tight space, adjust the layout to accommodate it properly.
Protecting Your Brand Identity
A well-maintained logo reflects a strong, trustworthy brand. Before using your logo in any marketing material, double-check its appearance. If you’re unsure how to resize it correctly in your software, a quick online search will save you from an irreversible design mistake.
Remember: A distorted logo is a design flaw and a classic branding misstep. Keep it clean and consistent to ensure your brand always makes the right first impressions.
