How to Design a Logo for Your Business (With Examples)

Your logo is the face of your brand. It's what customers will remember — whether it’s printed on workwear, embroidered onto branded merchandise, or displayed on promotional products. A well-designed logo builds trust, recognition, and loyalty.

In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about creating a logo, including:

  • How to design a logo
  • 5 essential logo design rules
  • Types of logos
  • Planning your logo
  • Hiring a graphic designer
  • Logo design tips and inspiration

What is a Logo?

A logo is a visual symbol that represents your company’s identity. It combines colour, typography, and imagery to express your brand’s mission and values. Over time, a strong logo becomes synonymous with your products, services, and reputation.

How to Create a Logo: Quick Steps

  1. Define your brand: Understand your mission, audience, and personality.
  2. Find inspiration: Look at successful logos across industries.
  3. Brainstorm ideas: Mindmap key words, shapes, and themes.
  4. Prioritise key principles: Simplicity, versatility, memorability, relevance.
  5. Write a logo design brief: Set clear creative guidelines.
  6. Hire the right designer: Find someone with proven experience.

5 Rules for Designing a Great Logo

The best logos follow five core principles:

  • Simplicity: Clean, uncluttered designs are easier to recognise.
  • Uniqueness: Stand out from your competition.
  • Versatility: Look great across clothing, merchandise, websites, and more.
  • Memorability: Create a strong, lasting impression.
  • Relevance: Reflect your brand’s values and audience.

Different Types of Logos

There are several common styles of logo, including:

  • Pictorial marks (icon or symbol)
  • Mascot logos (character representation)
  • Combination marks (image and text)
  • Emblem logos (seal or crest style)
  • Abstract marks (unique geometric symbol)
  • Wordmarks (text-based logos like Google)
  • Lettermarks (monogram or initials like IBM)

Choosing the right style helps align your logo to your business goals.

How to Plan Your Logo Design

Taking time to properly plan will help you create a timeless logo. Here’s what to consider:

1. Look to Your Brand's Story

Great logos often tie back to a company's roots. For example, BMW’s iconic blue and white logo reflects its aviation history. Find a story that’s meaningful to your brand.

2. Do Market Research

Before redesigning, survey your customers and staff to understand how they view your brand. GAP famously learned this the hard way after negative backlash to a new logo.

3. Build Moodboards and Mindmaps

Organise your ideas using moodboards and digital tools like Pinterest or Evernote. Visual exploration often sparks unexpected creativity.

4. Create a Design Brief

When briefing a designer, include:

  • Business description
  • Audience and values
  • Logos you love (and dislike)
  • Colour and font preferences
  • Where the logo will be used (e.g. uniforms, merchandise, promo products)

5. Choose Your Designer Carefully

Look for:

  • A strong portfolio of real client work
  • Positive testimonials and reviews
  • Good communication skills
  • Interest in your brand story
  • Realistic timescales (1–2 weeks typical)

Logo Design Ideas and Tips

Here are proven tips to help create an effective logo:

1. Keep it Simple

The world's most recognisable logos — Nike, Apple, McDonald’s — are simple. Focus on strong, uncluttered shapes and fonts.

Simpler logos also look better on custom clothing, screen-printed merchandise, and even embroidered uniforms.

2. Avoid Clichés

Steer clear of generic icons like globes or speech bubbles unless you can use them in a fresh way. Try sketching by hand to think differently.

Hand-drawn, imperfect logos (think sketch styles) are popular with Gen-Z audiences who crave authenticity.

3. Use Colour Strategically

Colours trigger emotions. Choose shades that match your brand’s tone and industry:

  • Red: Energy, excitement
  • Blue: Trust, professionalism
  • Green: Growth, eco-friendly

Explore your options, but keep colours simple for versatility across screen printing, digital printing, and promotional products.

4. Make It Versatile

Your logo should:

  • Work in black and white
  • Be scalable without distortion (use vector files)
  • Be recognisable even when small (e.g. printed on pens or keyrings)

5. Focus on Timelessness

Trendy designs can quickly look dated. Focus on timeless principles, like Coca-Cola’s script logo, which has lasted over 100 years.

A simple, bold logo will stay relevant whether printed on a sports bottle, tote bag, or corporate uniform.

Creating Your Brand with Custom Planet

Once you’ve finalised your logo, it’s time to bring it to life across your business!

At Custom Planet, we help brands roll out logos with professional services including:

We offer screen printing, digital printing, and embroidery, plus garment finishing options like relabelling and custom tags.

We also build custom webshops for teams and businesses – perfect for organisations needing an easy way to order branded gear. Learn more here.

Need help getting started?
Contact us today for expert advice and a free quote.

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