1. What is a Signature Logo?
A signature logo is a wordmark logo that is designed in a signature-style format. These logos are usually cursive, designed with fonts of the handwriting category. In case the signature logo is for an individual, their personal signature can also be replicated digitally.
It’s important to remember that as a wordmark, a signature logo does not have any icons or symbols used in it, so these logos are entirely textual. Also, for a brand name to be eligible for a signature-style logo, most logo design service providers demand that the business name should not be an acronym.
2. When to Choose a Signature Logo?
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Signature logos have an elegance and personality that is unmatched when compared to other kinds of logos. Yet, using a signature logo is not ideal for all use-cases.
For the purpose of branding, a signature logo would suit best for a business that is based on the identity of an individual. So, for instance, if a singer wishes to have a signature logo for their musical instrument store, it would work perfectly, since the singer’s face value is the brand’s USP.
However, in case of large corporations, usually a signature logo does not work out, since it can neither complement the aesthetics of a corporate firm, nor encapsulate a non-existent individualism of a large organization that does not function on the shoulders of an individual’s personal brand.
So, in short, signature logos are mostly considered to be suitable for fashion brand logos, hair stylists, photographers, and other such artistic professions, BUT, they aren’t limited to small businesses. This is a common misperception that needs to be addressed, which is why we shall discuss some of the most famous brands who have successfully used signature logos to create a solid brand identity. Keep reading for more examples.
3. What Makes a Good Signature Logo?
A good signature logo has the ability to convey a brand’s personality, and it should be able to express the brand’s value and culture. For many businesses, using a signature-style logo can help them express what their brand stands for in a far better manner compared to other logo styles.
Take, for instance, the example of a paint brush style font for a signature logo. This logo style with its unique font would work best for expressing the artistic nature of a house paint brand. In another case, for a brand that offers a paintball shooting range, a splashy signature logo can be reflective of the fun sport. Similarly, a children’s toothpaste brand can use a signature logo in a calligraphic, toothpaste font.
The aforementioned examples, thus, showcase how a signature logo is not limited to small businesses, and when applied correctly, can be used for logos of big companies as well.
4. Things to Consider When Creating a Signature Logo
There are few things that every logo designer must be aware of when they are attempting to create their signature logo. By ensuring that all these things have been given due consideration, artists can improve their work massively and save themselves from the hassle of creating designs that require a lot of revisions.
4.1 Color
Your Signature logo should have a color that suits well with your brand’s culture and values. Brands are always very cautious when choosing a color for their logo because of how powerful colors are in conveying a message to consumers. Channeling the wrong message should thus be avoided.
In the case of failing to do so would mean that your choice of a wrong color for a correct font would still result in a bad design, therefore it’s crucial for designers to be on guard against the use of funky colors where elegance is required or a sober color where funkiness is required.
4.2 Hand Drawn Logo
When choosing the option of a signature logo it’s best to digitally replicate a hand drawn logo instead of using digital typefaces. A hand drawn logo is organic in essence as it perfectly delivers the authenticity required from a signature logo.
If you’re wondering how the signature is converted into a digital format, then it’s fairly simple, as the signature can be scanned and traced through photo-editing apps.
4.3 Add a Tagline
For startups and small businesses that are new, the use of a tagline can be helpful in a signature logo for educating the audience about the products and services that your brand deals in. At times, these taglines become as popular as the brand name itself, and when this happens, the tagline becomes irreplaceable. Think of KFC, and you instantly recall their tagline, “It’s Finger Lickin’ Good”; think of Nike, and you’re instantly reminded of their slogan that says “Just Do It”.
4.4 Readability
Because signature logos are cursive, they can look very vague, making it difficult for many people to make sense of it at first. If that’s the case with your logo, it’s best to write the brand name underneath the signature in a digital font to help people make sense of it. This is especially done by the brands that use their initials as their signature logo. Doing so is understandable as not everyone knows what the initials stand for. Some popular examples of such signature logos include Marrie Houston’s, Evan Welch, etc.
4.5 Don’t Overdo It
It’s hard not to go over the top with signatures, however making it ornamental to an extent that it becomes barely understandable is not an option. Of course, it’s not to say that your signature should be plain and minimalist, but generally speaking, there should be a balance in design, and a signature logo designer can help bring out the best from your signature through tips and suggestions.
5. Signature Logo Examples of Famous Brands
Some examples of famous brands that use signature logos are as follows.
5.1 Coca-Cola
One of the largest international conglomerates, Coca-Cola is perhaps the most famous brand with a signature logo. While its competitor, Pepsi logo has changed dozen times, Coca-Cola remains consistent with its use of the evergreen signature logo written in Spenserian script that has remained unchanged since the company’s inception. This goes to show that signature logos aren’t limited to fashion brands and photographers as they are usually known to be.
5.2 Cadbury
Cadbury initially began its journey with an entirely different logo with a retro styled bold font. This was later changed in 1951 with a revamped design of the Cadbury logo that was inspired by the handwritten signature of its founder, George Cadbury. As a tribute to the owner, and the long lasting history of Cadbury’s success, this logo gave the brand a fresh and modern look, and improved the brand identity. The rebranding goes to show the unique qualities of a signature logo.
5.3 Virgin
Richard Branson’s brand Virgin has come a long way since its inception. From a gothic styled logo to one that Branson has described as having an attitude, energy, and in-your-face simplicity, the company has rebranded itself quite well to make a big name in the air-travel, hotels, banking, and telecommunication business among the many other markets that Virgin has penetrated into. Considering the fact that the company does not operate only in one industry, it’s amazing to see how well its signature logo has adapted and blended into each of these industries.
5.4 Kellogg’s
Another backstory behind a company signature logo comes from the brand Kellogg’s. The legend has it that Kellogg’s founder, William Keith Kellogg, in the initial years of the company, packaged each packet of corn flakes with his own signature on it as a way to ensure customers that he had personally checked the quality of the product. This was soon standardized with a proper Kellogg’s signature logo as Kellogg’s handwritten signature became the brand identity of the company.
5.5 Disney
By now you must be expecting a similar story for Disney’s signature logo, as it’s well known that the logo is based on Walt Disney’s signature. However, is it? Contrary to popular beliefs, Disney’s signature logo is not inspired by Walt Disney’s own signature as it is far different from the brand’s logo. Instead, it’s based on Hank Porter’s signature, who was an employee of Disney and was responsible for making signatures on behalf of Walt Disney on the thousands of documents that came to Disney’s office.
5.6 Ford
The most well-renowned automobile company surprisingly uses a signature logo. Surprisingly, because most brands opt for a logo rather than a cursive wordmark, yet perhaps the 4 lettered short word makes it convenient for the manufacturer to use it as its logo.
Another interesting fact about the ford logo is that it was designed in 1909 by the first chief engineer of the firm whose name was Childe Harold Wills. Will was a very senior member of Ford, and was known to be into business card design and printing.
Later on the oval was added to the name, after which the logo has had barely any changes made to it.
6. Best Free and Paid Signature Logo Websites
Following are some free and paid signature logo/fonts websites that you must check.
6.1 Logo Poppin
If you’d like to have a personalized signature logo with a customized package, then we’re here to help! As a well-reputed company with years of experience in providing logo design services and branding strategies to our clients we are well-versed in providing signature logos that can not only meet but exceed your expectations. As an organization, with a team working on your vision of a perfect logo, our collective genius assures our clients of remarkable results.
6.2 Envato
Envato has a large collection of signature logos that are best suited for different market niches. While these are not free, they aren’t expensive either, and you can subscribe to the 7-day trial to make up your mind. Given that it has a collection of 10,500 handwritten fonts, it would actually be difficult to not find one that suits your business needs.
6.3 99Designs
99 Designs has a large collection of portfolios submitted by various logo design artists whom you can invite to work with you. The website holds contests and has also held one for signature logos. If you’re looking out for the best of the best professionals, I must say, you can find one there among the top participants of these contests.
6.4 Brand Crowd
For those who’re low on budget and wish to have a free design for their new venture can opt for a free logo maker such as the one that Brand Crowd provides on its website. While this may not be the most remarkable idea, the whole point of having a signature logo is to bring a unique touch to your brand, and this is not possible if you’re using readymade fonts that do not consider all the important nitty gritty of what a brand should be able to convey with its design.
6.5 DesignCuts:
If you’re on the lookout for ordering more than one signature logo, another website worth considering is DesignCuts. The website not only has a vast collection but also has big discounts for those who want to order more than one font. However, the downside of it is that you will be charged more if you want the designer to make any changes to a given design.
Frequently Asked Questions
Signature logos are logos that are inspired or entirely replicated from a handwritten logo. Thus name, signature logo.
Logos can have icons and graphical elements in them, however, a signature is plain, simple text.
Creating a handwritten signature is easy. All you need to do is to ensure that your signature conveys a particular message to people. In short, a brand or an individual’s attitude and personality should be reflected in a signature.
One of the ways you can create a logo for your signature is by scanning the signature and tracing it on apps such as adobe illustrator.
To Sum It Up
Despite the popular opinion and bias against the constraints of using signature logos, the article has focused on giving examples of how both small and big businesses have used them for creating a solid brand identity.
All that needs to be taken into account is how these logos should follow basic design guidelines during the creation process so that at the end of the day the signature logo performs as expected.
Choosing the right branding services is also a challenge which is why it’s important to outsource the task to a well reputed designer who has a strong client portfolio for the job.
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Logopoppin
Logopoppin is a graphic design agency that specializes in logo designing, web development, video production and advanced branding services. We love to innovate businesses with new age technologies, allowing them to improve their visual reputation.
