What Is a Logo Lockup? A Simple Guide for Designers

Learn what a logo lockup is, and how to pair your logomark and logotype to create a balanced, cohesive logo.

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You’ve poured your heart into designing a stunning logo. But then comes the moment of truth: putting your symbol and wordmark together. 

I've seen it many times. You finalize your logo for a presentation, add color, or place it on a new background, and suddenly, it just feels off. The symbol and wordmark don't sync. Maybe the type looks too big, or the symbol too small.

This is where understanding what is a logo lockup becomes crucial. It’s how you perfectly pair your logomark (the symbol) and logotype (the text) to create a balanced, cohesive logo.

I’ll guide you through mastering this essential skill.

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What Exactly is a Logo Lockup?

A logo lockup is 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 defines the exact spacing, size, and arrangement of these elements. This ensures your logo always looks consistent and strong.

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Why Balanced Logo Lockups Matter

Creating balanced logo lockups is vital for a few key reasons:

• Consistency: Your brand needs to look the same everywhere. Good lockups make sure of this, from tiny app icons to large billboards.
• Clarity: A balanced lockup is easy to read and understand. No part overwhelms the other, so your message is always clear.
• Professionalism: A well-crafted lockup shows great attention to detail. This makes your brand look polished and trustworthy.

I often stress the importance of precision in my guide on why designers should be using logo grids.

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Key Elements of a Logo Lockup

To build a great lockup, you need to understand its parts:

• Logomark: This is your symbol or icon (e.g., Apple's apple, Nike's swoosh).
• Logotype: This is your brand name written in a specific font (e.g., NBC logo text, MasterCard logo text).
• Clearance: This is the empty space between the logomark and logotype. It is vital for balance and clarity.

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Types of Logo Lockups Every Designer Should Know

Beyond just "mark next to text," there are distinct types of logo lockups. Knowing these helps you create versatile brand identities.

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1. Horizontal Lockups

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

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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 well when your logomark (like a square, circle, or polygon) can be placed neatly above your logotype. It's perfect for narrower spaces where a compact, stacked presence is needed.
• Example: A symbol neatly placed directly above the brand name.

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3. Condensed Lockups

A condensed lockup is a specialized version of a vertical lockup. It features the logomark above the logotype, often with tighter spacing and sometimes a custom layout for minimal space.

• When to Use: This is best when your logomark has more height than width. It's essential for very tight spaces, or when horizontal space is extremely limited.
• Example: A compact, stacked logo design that maintains legibility even at small sizes.

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Akrivi Tools for Lockup Precision

While manual practice is great, Adobe Illustrator plugins and scripts can seriously speed things up.

Akrivi Gridit Horizontal Lockup Grid™, Vertical Lockup Grid™, and Condensed Lockup Grid™ Adobe Illustrator scripts are specifically built for these tasks. They automate the precise measurements and alignments I've described, giving you perfect lockups in a flash.

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Free Logo Grid Templates

Many designers love having a good logo grid template. And who doesn't love free stuff?

We've put together a FREE logo grid template as part of our Logo Grid Templates. It also includes an ebook, all about mastering logo grids inside Adobe Illustrator. You can start practicing what you've learned right away.

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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.