4 Logo Formats to Help Build Your Brand

Alan Robezzoli • October 26, 2021
Harley-Davidson script logo on a dark background, an example of a wordmark logo format that builds a brand

A logo is a crucial part of business branding . It visualizes your brand identity and communicates your purpose, mission, vision, and core values. It’s a way for prospects and customers to recognize and remember your brand and build brand loyalty. A good logo tells people who you are and what you can do for them and helps differentiate you from other businesses. 
That’s a lot to ask of a small graphic with perhaps a little bit of text; however, a good designer can make it happen. On the other hand, a logo that looks unprofessional can turn people away and make them question what you do or stand for and whether or not you can deliver your product or service. 
You will use your logo everywhere – on signs, business cards, email marketing, your website… everywhere; therefore, it’s vital that you have a logo that you like, that looks professional, and communicates your brand identity. And sometimes, you need more than one format because what makes sense in one place (i.e., your website) may not make sense someplace else (i.e., your advertising). 
But remember: brand consistency is key. According to Lucidpress , consistent presentation of a brand can increase revenue by 33%, so colors, fonts, style, etc., should be consistent across all logo formats.
Here are four types of logo formats you may need to brand your business.

Wordmark Logos

Jeep wordmark in white on black, an example of a simple lettermark logo format that helps build a brand

Sometimes called logotypes, wordmark logos are font-based logos that focus on your brand name. Wordmark logos help build very clear brand recognition but can be a challenge for businesses with long names. You’ve probably seen this type of logo for Jeep, Google, and Coca-Cola. Each has its own specific font, colors, spacing, etc., that help conveys its brand identity.
A wordmark is suitable for….
  • New businesses that need to get their name out there.
  • Businesses with distinct names that are catchy and easily remembered.

Brandmark Logos

Target bullseye logo in red and white, an example of a pictorial symbol logo format that builds brand recognition

While wordmark logos focus on the text, brandmark logos focus on the graphics. Brandmark logos – also called logomarks, logo symbols, pictorial marks, or iconic logos – are often used by very well-known brands. People see the graphic and immediately know what the brand is without seeing the name. Examples include the red and white bulls-eye that Target uses or the apple with a bite in it that Apple uses. This type of logo can be a challenge for businesses that aren’t well-known yet but can be used when space is limited.

Lettermark Logos

PMI logo in bold black serif letters inside a white box, an example of a letter-based logo format

Lettermark logos consist of just initials. Sports teams and universities often use this type of logo. Think of the PSU logo for Pennsylvania State University or the G on the Green Bay Packers helmets. The PMI logo we use on our website is another great example. Power Marketing International is quite a mouthful and can take up quite a bit of real estate.
Fun note: Many people don’t know that HBO stands for Home Box Office because the company typically uses its lettermark logo.

Combination Mark

Burger King logo with the name between two bun shapes, an example of a combination logo format for a brand

The combination mark – aka logo lockup - is the most common type of logo. A combination mark is a logo that combines text and graphics to create a unique logo that represents your brand. It helps people associate your name with your graphic. The graphic and text can be stacked on top of each other, integrated into each other (think of the Burger King logo where the name is the “meat” of the sandwich), or even side-by-side. 

What Logo Format Do You Need?

How the logo will be used is what determines the appropriate type of logo. First, ask yourself where you will use your logo – on a sticker, a billboard, a social media campaign, etc. That will help you determine the best format. Whatever format is used, it should look professional and be consistent with your brand.

How to Brand Your Business

A clear and compelling brand image used consistently across all of your marketing channels helps prospects and customers recognize and remember your business… and make them more likely to choose your product or service when they’re ready to buy. PMI helps businesses create a brand identity through logos, taglines, and more.
So, give us a call today at 484-297-6395 or   contact us online .

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