The contest you create will list final file formats that will be accepted from the winner(s). So, which final file formats will you need? Here is a guide to help you determine which files to ask for.
A quick note about fonts: It’s important to ask competitors to include the fonts they used in their design. If a winner does not have permission to send those fonts, they should provide the specific names of the fonts so that you can obtain a license of that font. Otherwise, you may receive final files that do not match your submission because the fonts are missing.
Acceptable formats for web graphics include JPG, GIF and PNG. These are the files you can place right into your web site. However, you should also request the "source" files for these graphics so that you can make changes to them later. Source files for web graphics generally include Photoshop PSD files.
Most print files will be delivered to your print shop, so you should ask them what files they need. Typically, the source files will include a PDF or EPS format file, but your printer may require the source files from programs like Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Macromedia Freehand and others.
Your logo is the most important graphic you will own for your business. It can be used on the web, in print, in apparel and in other ways you may not even imagine right now. This is why Studio recommends asking for a "vector" file format. Vector graphics are images created using points, lines, curves and polygons rather than pixels (raster graphics). Vector graphics can be scaled infinitely without degradation. You should require EPS or AI files as the source files for logo contests.
Generally created with Adobe Acrobat. You may require a print-ready PDF file as a final deliverable. Many print shops will accept this file type when printing your design.
Adobe Photoshop file. These files should be kept in "layers" allowing for easier manipulation and editing of graphics later on.
Adobe Illustrator File or Encapsulated Post Script File. These files are generally in vector format, "layered" if possible, allowing for easier manipulation and editing of graphics later on.
ICO files are Windows based icon image files. These files can hold multiple sizes of icons at varying color depths. Standard sizes for most Windows applications are 64×64, 32×32 and 16×16. Icon files should be created at maximum color depth, optimized for Windows XP unless otherwise specified in the contest details. Many designers will create their artwork in another program such as Adobe Illustrator or PhotoShop and then import these files into an icon editor such as Axialis. There are also a number of free icon editors available.