Kwaku Amprako is a logo expert, brand identity designer, speaker, and founder of Akrivi — a platform shaping the future of brand identity design through automation, systems, and precision.
How to Balance Your Logos: Pairing your Logomark & Logotype Using Grids
Learn how to balance your logomark and logotype using a grid system for cleaner, more professional logos.
You’ve designed a brilliant logomark and a distinctive logotype. Now comes a crucial step: putting them together so they look perfectly harmonious.
When designers ask how to balance your logo, they're usually talking about mastering logo lockups.
This guide will show you how to pair your logomark (your symbol) and logotype (your text) using a grid system. This ensures cleaner, more professional logos every time.
I'll walk you through my personal methods for achieving perfect balance.
What Are Logo Lockups?
A logo lockup defines how your different logo parts fit together. These parts are usually your logomark (your symbol or icon) and your logotype (your brand name in text). It's all about making them work as "best buddies," sharing something in common. One can even represent the other when needed.
It's not just about placing them on a canvas. A lockup defines the exact spacing, size, and arrangement of these elements. This ensures your logo always looks consistent and strong. Understanding logo lockup is key to managing logo variations.
Key Elements of a Logo Lockup
To build a great lockup, you need to understand its parts:
- Logomark: This is your symbol or icon.
- Logotype: This is your brand name in text.
- Clearance: This is the empty space between the logomark and logotype. It is vital for balance and clarity.
If you're as obsessed with perfecting these pairings as I am, I've dived deeper into what a logo lockup is.
Why Balanced Lockups Matter
It goes beyond just looking good; it touches brand perception, professionalism, and even your own peace of mind as a designer. A well-done logo will be seen as more professional. If balance is achieved, you can't find its fault, making it last longer.
Knowing your logo is perfectly balanced brings immense peace of mind. You're confident it looks flawless, and this builds trust with clients.
I often stress the importance of precision in my guide on why designers should be using logo grids.
Mastering Formations
There are different kinds of logo lockups. In this blog, I will show you how to balance two main types: a horizontal logo lockup and a vertical logo lockup.
- Vertical Lockup: Where the logomark is placed above the logotype.
- Horizontal Lockup: Where the logomark is placed beside the logotype.
Now, let's look at my step-by-step guides for making the grid manually for both methods.
How to Balance a Vertical Logo Lockup
For a vertical lockup (where your logomark sits above your logotype), I use this precise approach:
- Place Your Logomark: Start with your completed logomark on your artboard. This will be the central focus.
- Define Wordmark Width: I duplicate the logomark to the right and left, snapping them edge-to-edge with no space. These act as temporary guides.
- Scale Your Logotype: I then scale the logotype (your brand name text) to fit exactly between the outer ends of those duplicated marks. This aligns the text width optically with the mark.
- Create Guide: Use the Line Segment tool (\) to draw a line across your logo mark. Drag it to the top and duplicate one at the bottom. Create 2 more copies in between and use Align (Window > Align) Vertical Distribute Space them evenly. Use 2 of the lines as separation space
- Define Separation Space: Use 2 of the lines as separation space (⅓ of your logotype height) as clearance spacing.
- Adjust Spacing: Delete the duplicated marks. Now, visually adjust the vertical space until it feels harmonious. This creates a strong, stable visual block.
How to Balance a Horizontal Logo Lockup
For horizontal lockups (where your logomark sits beside your logotype), my method focuses on harmonious spacing:
- Place Elements: Position your logomark to the left, and your logotype to its right.
- Divide The Logotype: Use the Line Segment tool (\) to draw a line across the logotype. Drag it to the top making sure it snaps, and another to the bottom using Alt or Option keys to duplicate. Create copies of 3 in between, making them 5. Select all and use the Align Panel (Window > Align), Click Vertical Distribute Space to space them evenly.
- Define Separation Space: Select the top 2 lines and drag holding Alt or Option. In toolbar double click Rotate tool (R) and input 90 in Angle. Use that as clearance between the two marks.
- Apply Spacing: Now extend the lines to precede your logomark. Use them as guide to position the mark perfectly in place.
- Remove Guide: Delete the guides and there you have it! Your logo perfectly balanced.
The Fastest Way to Do This
While practicing these manual methods sharpens your eye, Adobe Illustrator plugins and scripts can automate this process. They save you immense time and ensure consistent results.
I created specific Adobe Illustrator plugins for these exact tasks. My Horizontal Lockup Grid™, Vertical Lockup Grid™, and Condensed Lockup Grid™ Adobe Illustrator plugins automate the precise measurements and alignments I've described.
They give you perfect lockups in a flash. You can find them here.
Free Logo Grid Templates
I’ve also created pre-made guides, which can be found in the Logo Grid Core Kit. They are free.
Conclusion
Learning how to balance your logo by mastering lockup grids is a crucial skill. It transforms how your logomark and logotype work together, ensuring they are always consistent, clear, and professional. This mastery brings confidence to your designs and peace of mind to you.
