How to Create a Logo for Your Small Business or Website

Steps

1. On a piece of notebook paper, make a rough sketch of your logo.
2. On a white sheet of computer paper, use a fine-point black permanent marker to re-draw your logo on one side. If you have no large shaded regions, skip the next step.
3. Flip the paper over. On this side, you will notice that the shaded regions have bled through. Re-color those shaded regions on this side, to give the logo an even shade. Flip the paper over.
4. Using ONLY colored pencils (erasable works best), color in the areas that need color. When done, go over the color areas again with the colored pencils. If you don't have a flatbed scanner, skip the next step.
5. Take another sheet of computer paper and place it under your logo, to prevent any shadowing when scanning.
6. Place the logo in the scanner. If you have a flatbed, place it face-down.
7. Scan. If you don't need to scan it again before saving the image, skip the next step.
8. In your scanning software, create a bound box around your logo with a 1/2 inch (12 millimeter) size and save the image. This will cut your image down to a size that includes only the logo.
9. Edit your logo in any photo editing software, as needed. Apply the logo to whatever you have in mind.

Tips

• Normally, in Microsoft Paint, using the fill tool in large white areas will not completely fill in the area, as computer paper isn't perfectly white all around. This also applies to the black and colored regions.
• You can print your logo out and submit it to a professional to have it edited or placed on a sign.
• Try to use vector based programs (such as Adobe Illustrator), rather than pixel based programs in which to create your logo. If you change the size of your logo in a pixel program (such as paint), then it will produce a "blurring effect". Furthermore, vector based programs are what professionals use and they would prefer to receive the logo artwork in this format.

Warnings

• Do not steal another company's logo. This is illegal unless the company has indicated otherwise. It could result in prosecution.
• Make sure the logo is simple and clear enough to work in small sizes and in black-and-white if necessary.

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