What Is a Logo Lockup? A Simple Guide for Designers

Learn what a logo lockup is and explore the different types of logo variations like horizontal and vertical logos.

When it comes to creating flexible and professional brand identities, understanding logo lockups is key.

In this post, we’ll dive into what a logo lockup is and explore the main types of variations that help you arrange your logomark and logotype in different formats. Let’s get started.

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What is a Logo Lockup?

A logo lockup is a fixed arrangement of a brand’s visual elements, usually the logomark, logotype, and sometimes a tagline — combined into a single, unified layout.

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It defines how these elements should appear together in different formats, ensuring consistency across all brand materials.

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Different types of Logo Lockups

Logo lockups go beyond simply placing a mark next to some text. There are a few key arrangments to know, and understanding when to use each one will help you create logos that are responsive and practical accross different formats.

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1. Horizontal Lockups

A horizontal lockup places the logomark beside the logotype. This is a very common and arrangement.

• When to Use: This works well when your logomark (like a square, circle, or polygon) can easily sit beside your logotype. It's great for wider spaces where a flowing, linear presence is desired.
• Example: Imagine a symbol to the left of the brand name, flowing smoothly together.

2. Vertical Lockups

A vertical lockup places the logomark above the logotype, or vice versa. This creates a stacked arrangement.

• When to Use: This also works really well when your logomark has a triangular shape. It's perfect for narrower spaces where a compact, stacked presence is needed.
• Example: A symbol neatly placed directly above the brand name.

3. Badge Lockup

A badge lockup is a more expressive, stylized version of a logo, often designed like a crest or emblem.

• When to Use: Badge lockups are great for merchandise, apparel, packaging, or any application where the logo needs to feel more decorative or self-contained.
• Example: These are often circular or shield-like in shape and may include multiple elements like the brand name, logomark, tagline, and icons — all arranged within a single compact layout.

4. Partner Lockup

A partner lockup is used when two or more brand logos need to appear together in a clear, consistent layout.

• When to Use: Commonly used for collaborations, sponsorships, co-branded campaigns, or when showcasing parent and sub-brands side by side.
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• Example: Typically shown in a horizontal layout with spacing rules or dividers between each logo. It ensures all brands maintain visual balance while keeping their individual identities intact.

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The importance of balanced logo lockups

When designers ask, “How can I balance a logo?” — they’re often talking about getting the logo lockup right. That means pairing the logomark and logotype in a way that feels visually balanced and professional.

Getting the scaling and spacing right is important for a few key reasons:

• Consistency — A balanced lockup looks the same across all brand materials, making your identity feel cohesive.
• Clarity — When elements are aligned properly, the logo is easier to read and recognize at a glance.
• Scalability — A well-balanced lockup holds up at any size, from a website header to a social media avatar or product label.
  

Even subtle misalignment or poor scaling can throw off the entire impression — so it’s worth getting right.

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How to balance your Logo

Balancing a logo lockup isn’t always easy — especially when the logomark and logotype have different shapes, weights, or sizes. It can take a lot of tweaking to get things to look just right.

I’ve written a full blog that walks through how to balance your logo properly, including tips for scaling, alignment, and visual harmony. You can read it here.

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Use this FREE Logo Grid Template

Grid systems are a great way to help you create balanced and well-structured logo lockups. I put together the Logo Grid Core Kit, which includes a pre-made logo lockup grid you can use right inside Adobe Illustrator.

It’s free to download and gives you a head start on balancing your logos with precision.

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Conclusion

Understanding what is a logo lockup and how to balance your logomark and logotype is essential. It makes your logo consistent, clear, and professional. By mastering these techniques, you'll create designs that always look their absolute best.