When you pay for a logo in Malaysia, you should receive more than one image. Expect a full set of files for print and screen, clear written ownership of the design, and an agreed number of revisions. Many business owners only find out what is missing years later, when a printer asks for a vector file or a new agency asks who owns the logo.
Here is what to ask for, and why each item matters.
The files you should receive
A logo is used on business cards, signboards, websites, social media, uniforms and packaging. Each use needs a different file.
| File type | What it is for | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| AI or EPS | The original vector design file | Can be resized to any size without losing quality, needed by printers and signboard makers |
| SVG | Vector file for websites | Stays sharp on every screen, small file size |
| PDF (vector) | Sharing with printers who do not use design software | Opens on any computer, keeps vector quality |
| PNG with transparent background | Websites, presentations, social media | Can sit on any background colour |
| JPG | Quick use in documents and email | Small and widely supported, but no transparency |
Vector files are the most important. If you only receive a PNG or JPG, your logo will look blurry on a large banner or signboard, and you may need to pay someone to redraw it.
The versions you should receive
Beyond file types, ask for these versions of the logo:
- Full colour on a white background
- Reversed (white or light) for dark backgrounds
- Single colour, such as black only, for stamps, embroidery and some printing
- Horizontal and stacked layouts, if your logo has a symbol and text
- Icon only, for app icons, favicons and social media profile pictures
The colour and font details
Ask for a simple one-page guide that lists:
- Colour codes in CMYK (print), RGB and HEX (screen), and Pantone if used
- The font names used in the logo and whether you need a licence to use them yourself
- The minimum size and the clear space around the logo
This sheet saves time every time someone new designs something for your brand.
Who owns the logo?
Under section 26(2) of Malaysia’s Copyright Act 1987, copyright in a commissioned work is deemed to be transferred to the person who commissioned it, subject to any agreement between the parties. In other words, if you commission and pay for a logo, the law’s starting point is that you own it, but your agreement with the designer can change that.
So check your quotation or contract for three things:
- It states that copyright in the final logo belongs to your company once payment is made
- It says whether the designer can show the logo in their portfolio
- It lists any parts that are licensed rather than owned, such as a paid font or stock icon
Copyright and trademark are different. Copyright protects the design as a creative work. A trademark, registered with MyIPO, protects the logo as a brand name for your goods or services. Many businesses register their logo as a trademark once it is final.
How many revisions is fair?
There is no fixed rule, but a common structure looks like this:
- The designer presents two or three initial concepts
- You choose one direction
- The chosen concept goes through two or three rounds of changes
What matters is that the number is agreed in writing before work starts, along with the cost of extra rounds. Give clear, combined feedback in each round, rather than many small messages, so each revision counts.
Red flags when buying a logo
- A very low price with no mention of file types or ownership
- Only JPG or PNG files offered
- Designs that look similar to well-known brands, which can cause legal trouble
- No written agreement at all
- A designer who cannot show original past work
A short checklist before you pay
- Which file types will I receive?
- Which versions (colour, reversed, single colour, icon) are included?
- Will I get the colour codes and font names?
- Does the contract say my company owns the copyright after payment?
- How many concepts and revisions are included, and what do extra rounds cost?
If you are building a full brand, not just a logo, our branding services cover the wider identity. For a logo with the files and rights above, see our logo design Malaysia service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What files should a logo designer give me?
At minimum, vector files (AI or EPS, SVG and a vector PDF) plus PNG files with a transparent background and JPG files, in full colour, reversed and single-colour versions.
Who owns the copyright of a logo in Malaysia?
Under section 26(2) of the Copyright Act 1987, copyright in a commissioned work is deemed transferred to the person who commissioned it, subject to any agreement between the parties. Confirm ownership in your contract.
What is the difference between copyright and a trademark for a logo?
Copyright protects the logo as a creative design. A trademark, registered with MyIPO, protects it as a brand identifier for your goods or services.
Why do printers ask for a vector file?
Vector files can be resized to any size without losing quality. Printers and signboard makers need them to produce sharp results at large sizes.
How many revisions should logo design include?
It varies by designer. A common approach is two or three concepts, then two or three rounds of changes on the chosen one. Agree the number in writing before work starts.
