I'm getting an artist to draw me a logo- should it be a certain size?

Question

Once the image is done I want to put it on business cards, stickers, t-shirts... all sorts of things that are different sizes. Should the original artwork be a certain size so it will translate well into all these different sizes?

Answer 1

John S is absolutely right, make sure that you get a vector version so you can use it across mediums.

Answer 2

If it's done using a 'vector based' computer graphic design / illustration program then it can be scaled to any size without worrying about resolution.

If it's done in Photoshop (or drawn / painted and scanned) then the image will be so many pixels (dots) wide by so many pixels high and as you scale the image up the pixels (picture elements or 'dots' that comprise the image) will become more noticable

logos are better done as vector images - but you can draw / paint them and then scan them as well.  If you do the later, draw or paint it reasonably large and scan at a reasonably high resolution. Save that image as a Tiff file or Bitmap file - then you have a high res. 'masterfile' that you can use to scale up or down for whatever you need

There are probably a few free vector based illustration programs out there

Based on what you've said if you draw it I would draw or paint it to about 8"x8" and scan at 300d.p.i.  No need to scan at a higher res.  ......you'll hardly see any improvement over 300dpi when you come to print it

Answer 3

go to www.ReducedPrinting.com because they do have low cost graphic design services and their designers specialize in creating logos and branding for print media