How to Create a Logo in Photoshop: Step-by-Step

You can design a simple, crisp logo in Photoshop using shape layers, smart guides, and careful exports. While Illustrator or Figma are better for pure vectors, Photoshop can still produce professional, production-ready logo assets when you keep the design minimal and use shape layers.

TL;DR

Keep it simple: bold silhouette, minimal detail, strong contrast.
Use vector shape layers (not raster brushes) so edges stay sharp.
Align with grids and smart guides for symmetry and spacing.
Export PNG (transparent) for web; hand off paths to a vector tool for SVG.
Test legibility at small sizes (24–48px) and in monochrome.

Before you start: Define the idea

Brand purpose and vibe: modern/minimal? friendly/playful? premium/classic?
Shape direction: mascot/icon, monogram, abstract mark?
Constraints: single color vs two-tone, small-size legibility

Need ideas fast? See: Can ChatGPT Create a Logo? and AI Logo Design: From Idea to Icon.

Step-by-step Photoshop workflow

1) Create the canvas

File → New → 2048×2048 px (square), 300 ppi.
Background: Transparent.
View → Rulers (Cmd/Ctrl+R), View → Show → Grid, and enable Snap/Smart Guides.

Why: Large, square canvas keeps angles precise and simplifies exports.

2) Set up a simple grid

Edit → Preferences → Guides, Grid & Slices.
Gridline every 64 px, subdivisions 8.
Add center guides (drag from rulers).

Why: Consistent spacing and symmetry make the logo feel professional.

3) Build with vector shapes

Use Shape tools (U) set to Shape (not Pixel).
Start with basic geometry (circle, rectangle, polygon) and combine with Path Operations (Add, Subtract, Intersect).
Keep corners clean and avoid micro-detail.

Tip: For a monogram, use a geometric sans font; convert to shape (Right-click layer → Convert to Shape) and refine anchors with the Path Selection tool (A).

4) Balance and alignment

Select layers → use align tools (top, vertical center, horizontal center).
Maintain consistent negative space and stroke weights.
Mirror-check: Duplicate, flip horizontally (Edit → Transform → Flip Horizontal) to catch asymmetry.

5) Color and contrast

Start in monochrome (pure black on transparent).
If using brand colors, set as Solid Color fill layers so you can tweak later.
Keep 1–2 colors max for clarity and easy small-size rendering.

6) Small-size and monochrome test

View the mark at 48 px and 24 px (Window → Navigator or zoom).
Turn off color layers to test black-only.
If details vanish, simplify shapes or increase contrast.

7) Prepare exports

Keep the master document layered and vector (shape layers).
For web/app:
- File → Export → Export As → PNG, Transparency on, 512–1024 px.
For print or vector workflows:
- Right-click each shape layer → Copy Shape Path; paste into Illustrator or Figma to finalize true SVG curves.
- Alternatively, File → Export → Paths to Illustrator to move vector paths.

Note: Photoshop’s SVG export is limited and may flatten or approximate curves. For clean SVGs, finish vectors in Illustrator, Figma, or Inkscape.

Pro tips for logo quality

Simplify: One icon idea, one weight, one typeface (if any).
Optical corrections: Slightly adjust overshoots and spacing by eye, not just numerically.
Geometry first: Build with primitives; boolean combine for precision.
Consistent radii: Keep corner radii related (e.g., base radius ×2 for larger arcs).
Negative space: Ensure interior cutouts read clearly at 24–48 px.

Export checklist

Transparent PNG at 1024 px and 512 px
Monochrome variant (black) and inverted (white on dark)
Square canvas, centered icon with safe padding
Optional: hand off vector paths to Illustrator/Figma and export SVG

FAQ

Q: Should I design a logo in Photoshop or Illustrator? A: Illustrator/Figma are best for vectors. Photoshop is fine if you stick to shape layers and export PNG, then hand off to a vector editor for final SVG.

Q: How do I keep edges crisp? A: Use Shape layers (vector), align to pixel grid where needed, avoid raster brushes for edges.

Q: Can I export SVG from Photoshop? A: Limited and unreliable for complex shapes. Copy shape paths into Illustrator/Figma and export SVG there.

Q: How big should my logo export be? A: 512–1024 px PNG covers most web needs. Keep a layered PSD master and a true SVG from a vector app for scalability.