Avoid Blurry Logos and Pixelated Photos: Image File Types and Resolutions Made Easy

When it comes to making a great first impression, the quality of your business’s visuals matters more than you might think.

Whether it’s your logo on a website, photos in a brochure, or images shared on social media, clear and professional looking graphics help build trust with potential clients.

In this blog, we’ll break down the basics of file types and image resolutions, so you can ensure your business always looks its best, both online and in print.

Why Image Quality Matters for Your Business

First impressions count. Whether it’s your website, van signage, or a quote sent to a client, a crisp logo and sharp images build trust and credibility. Blurry or pixelated visuals can make even the best business look unprofessional and may cost you valuable opportunities.

File Types Explained: Picking the Right One

Understanding file types is crucial for maintaining image clarity. Here are the most common formats you’ll encounter:

JPEG (.jpg): Great for photos and images with many colours. Use for project galleries or team photos. Avoid for logos, as they can lose sharpness.

PNG (.png): Ideal for logos and graphics with transparent backgrounds. PNGs retain crisp edges and are perfect for digital use.

SVG (.svg): The gold standard for logos and icons. SVGs are vector-based, meaning they scale to any size without losing quality—no more blurry logos on your website or van.

PDF (.pdf): Best for print materials like flyers or business cards. PDFs preserve image quality and layout.

Practical Example

If you upload your logo as a JPEG, it may look fine on your phone but appear fuzzy on a desktop or when enlarged for print. Using an SVG or high-resolution PNG ensures your branding always looks sharp.

Resolution Demystified: DPI, Pixels, and Sizing

Resolution refers to the amount of detail an image holds. It’s measured in pixels for digital, and DPI (Dots per Inch) for print.

For web: Aim for images at least 72 DPI, but focus on pixel dimensions (e.g., 1200x800 pixels for a banner).

For print: Use 300 DPI to avoid pixelation (e.g., a logo for a business card should be at least 1000x1000 pixels at 300 DPI).

Scaling up: Enlarging a small image will make it blurry. Always start with the largest version you have and scale down if needed.

Practical Example

A site photo taken on your phone might look fine on Instagram but could appear pixelated on a large website banner. Always use the original, high-resolution file for banners and print, and resize copies for web or email use.

Quick Reference Table: File Types and Uses

File Type	Best For	Web Use	Print Use	Scalable Without Quality Loss
JPEG	Photos	Yes	Limited	No
PNG	Logos Graphics	Yes	Yes	No
SVG	Logos icons	Yes	No	Yes
PDF	Print Documents	No	Yes	Yes (for text)

Summary

Choosing the right file type and resolution ensures your business always looks professional, whether online or in print. Stick to SVG or high-res PNG for logos, use JPEG for photos, and always check your resolution before sending files to print or uploading online.

Take Action

• Ask your designer for your logo in SVG and high-res PNG formats.

• Use original, high-resolution images for banners and print.

• Double-check file types before uploading or sending to print.

Up Next: Productivity Apps Reviewed: The Best Tools for Busy Business Owners

We’ll be taking a break from blog writing for the next couple of weeks, but when we resume in January, we’ll explore the top productivity apps that can help you manage your construction business more efficiently, from job scheduling to invoicing and communication tools.

Found This Useful?

I hope you've found this guide to file types and resolutions helpful. If you would like to discuss how to keep your business visuals sharp and professional, please email me. You can also connect with me on LinkedIn. If you would like to talk about your construction company's digital marketing strategy, feel free to reach out as well.

About the Author

John Wright started his career in the construction industry at Kennedy Builders Merchants in the 1980s. This marked the beginning of a 35-year journey in sales, marketing, and business development in construction.

In 2016, John transitioned into digital marketing as an it’seeze web design franchisee, before founding RBC Marketing in 2022. Today, he uses his strong knowledge of the construction industry along with marketing skills. He helps construction companies create a strong online presence. He also drives business growth through both digital and traditional marketing strategies.