How to make a logo transparent for your business
Back in 2017, when I had a thrift clothing business and knew too little about design, I’d layer my white background logo over collections of product photos with different backdrops like these:
It didn’t look professional, but I also didn’t have the budget or patience to use complex design software like Photoshop for such a small editing task.
I’ve since moved from owning a physical product to designing several creative assets for brand projects. And let me tell you: it’s a whole lot easier to make logos transparent these days!
Most modern software for transparent logos is inexpensive, user-friendly, and doesn't even require any editing skills to use. If I had such a tool seven years ago, I’d have been balling with my DIY posters and product photos.
Curious about using these tools? Don’t sweat it. I’ll show you how to make a logo transparent fast and for free with the best platform — along with ways to fix common transparency issues and examples of how other brands use their transparent logo.
Everything you’ll learn
How to make a logo transparent for free (step-by-step guide).
How to create transparent logos in Photoshop, MS Paint, and PowerPoint.
What is a transparent logo image?
A transparent logo is a logo image that has no background. It contains only the design elements (e.g., text or icons) of your brand’s logo, while the surrounding backdrop stays invisible. It’s usually created by a designer or with a photo editing tool and saved in image formats that support transparency, like raster image format (PNG), vector image formats (SVG), and animated image formats (GIFs).
Transparent logos are versatile, meaning you can insert them on different mediums and platforms. You can use a transparent logo for websites and social media platforms, as well as for PDF documents and product packaging.
Example of Shopify’s normal and transparent logos.
How to make a logo transparent online for free with Photoroom background remover
To start making a transparent logo, you need a reliable tool—a tool that’s easy to use and doesn’t erase the design elements of your logo in the process. Only a few tools are as reliable as Photoroom’s free background remover, and you can either use the online tool on your web browser or mobile app (iOS and Android).
How to make a logo transparent using Photoroom on your browser
Here’s how to create a transparent logo with AI on your browser:
Sign up or log in to Photoroom Web.
Click Remove Background and upload your logo image. The tool will automatically make the logo design transparent. The transparent logo will initially look like it has a checkered background. But that’s nothing to worry about. The grids won’t show up after downloading.
Click the arrow icon to download your custom logo design as a .png file. You can also share your edit with team members to get their input. Just click the Share button and copy the link to share.
💡 PRO TIP: If you have multiple logos and want to make them all transparent, you can use the batch editor in Photoroom, which makes it easy to batch remove background from pictures.
How to make logo transparent with Photoroom iOS or Android apps
After downloading the app from your App Store or Google Play Store, follow these simple steps to create a transparent logo on your mobile device:
Open the Photoroom app and select the Remove Background tool on the Create page.
Select your logo image from your camera roll or files folder to upload the image, and the tool will automatically erase the background.
Choose Transparent on the next page that comes up. Your logo will open in the editor, where you can choose from the advanced design features in the editors to alter the size with the Resize tool, change the background to a new color, or even adjust other aspects of your logo to improve quality.
Click the Export button to save your transparent logo image to your device. Photoroom will automatically save it as a .png format.
And that’s it! You now have a professional logo for branding. The sweet part is that it only took me about 30 seconds to go from a solid background to a transparent one.
What’s wonderful about the Remove Background tool is that it works excellently for both simple and complex logos. I used a simple logo for the tutorials above, but take a look at the logos of Photoroom user Cowgirl Clutch and the popular consumer goods brand, Unilever, below.
Both logos contain special elements that will take time to maneuver manually. It’s even possible for an automatic background remover to mistake these elements as part of the image background. But that’s not the case with the Remove Background tool; it did a perfect job of erasing the background while keeping the elements intact. Talk about efficiency!
Other ways to create a transparent logo
You can also make logos transparent using graphic design or presentation software like Adobe Photoshop and PowerPoint. While these options are useful, they’re often not as user-friendly and flexible.
How to make a logo design transparent with Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop has a roster of tools for creating transparent logo images, including the Magic Wand and Pen tools. The main reason you’d want to use Photoshop is if you need complete control over the editing process.
If that’s what you want, use the Pen tool for the best control. Here’s how:
Open your image in Photoshop and select the Pen tool (press P on your keyboard or find it in the toolbar). Set the tool to Path mode by selecting Path in the options bar.
Press Ctrl + to zoom into your image. Click on different ends of your logo to create anchor points and map out the elements in the entire image.
When you add an anchor point between two ends, you’ll notice that it appears in a straight line. To create a curved line, click and hold your mouse at one anchor point. Drag the control arms to refine the path, and use the Alt or Option (macOS) key to modify individual arms. Try to make sure the control arms align with the edge. You can correct a mistake by pressing Ctrl or Cmd (macOS) and clicking an anchor point to move it.
Click Selection on the options bar or right-click on your image.
Choose Make Selection, and Click OK to convert your path into a selection.
Unlock the image layer by tapping on the padlock icon (lower right-hand corner). Click the Add Layer Mask icon (bottom of the panel) to remove the background. You can use the Brush tool to make adjustments afterwards.
To download your work, click File in the menu bar and select Save a copy to save your image as PNG.
📘 More Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop guides:
How to make a logo background transparent with Microsoft Paint
Microsoft Paint doesn’t support full transparency in the same way that professional tools like Photoroom and Adobe Photoshop do. But you can still achieve basic transparency levels by following these detailed steps in Windows 10 (I’m using version 22H2).
Launch Microsoft Paint on your computer to open a blank design. Then click File in the menu bar, choose Open, and select the logo image you wish to edit.
Click on Select in the toolbar. Choose Transparent selection from the dropdown menu, then select the Free-form selection tool from the same menu.
Next, carefully outline the area of the image you want to keep (the logo). Everything outside this selection will become transparent.
After selecting, press Ctrl + C to copy the selected area. Open a new Paint window by clicking on File and New. Paste your selection in the blank canvas using Ctrl + V. The background should now be transparent.
To save your image, click File > Save as and choose PNG as the format to maintain transparency.
📘 Learn more: How to make a background transparent in MS Paint and Paint 3D
How to make a logo image transparent in PowerPoint
To create transparent logo images in PowerPoint, you can use several methods depending on your needs. You can either reduce the opacity of your logos or erase their solid color backgrounds entirely.
Here’s how to make logos transparent in PowerPoint using the Background Remover tool:
Open and navigate to the slide where you want to add your logo. Click on the Insert tab and select Pictures to insert your logo.
Click on the logo. Go to the Picture Format tab and click on Remove Background. This will allow you to adjust the selection, highlighting the areas you wish to remove in purple.
Once satisfied with the selection, click Keep Changes. Your logo will now have a transparent background.
If you want to use this transparent logo elsewhere, you can right-click on it and choose Save as Picture to save your logo image.
📘 Dig deeper:
How to fix common issues with transparent logos
A transparent logo is essential and valuable for branding. Still, it can come with challenges, especially when poorly edited, saved in the wrong file type, or used in the wrong dimensions.
Here are five common transparency issues and solutions to help you resolve them effectively.
1. The logo’s background is not transparent
If your logo image still has its original background after you’ve followed the correct background removal process, then you likely saved it in an image file type that doesn’t support transparency, like JPEG.
Root cause: Using the wrong file format.
Solutions:
Enable the Transparency option when exporting from traditional design programs like Adobe Photoshop.
Save your logo in a format that supports transparency. This includes PNG, GIF, or SVG.
2. Unwanted white edges around the transparent logo
Sometimes, after removing the background, you might notice small patches of the original background color around the edges of your logo, which makes it look unprofessional.
Root cause: The background wasn’t completely removed during the process.
Solutions:
When erasing the background, zoom into the image to inspect the edges closely. This helps you spot any leftover pixels that aren't visible at normal zoom levels.
Use the eraser and healing tool in the photo editing software to manually erase residual pixels.
3. Logo appears blurry
After making your logo transparent, you might notice that it looks blurry or pixelated (blocky), especially when you resize it for different applications like website banners, product images, or printed materials. This issue arises due to low-resolution images or inappropriate file formats, affecting the clarity and professionalism of your logo.
Root cause: low-resolution images or scaling raster images.
Solutions:
Always use a high-resolution image and export the highest resolution version of your logo available. A larger file size provides more pixels, maintaining clarity when resizing.
Avoid enlarging small images or scaling raster images (like PNG). Instead, download your logo in vector formats like SVG or resize it with an automatic resize tool. Both options make adapting your logo to any dimension easier without losing the image quality.
You can use AI Upscalers to enhance the quality of your logo before or after making it transparent.
4. Logo is not displaying correctly
This is one issue I often face: finding that the transparent logo doesn't display correctly in some applications or platforms, especially websites. The logo might appear compressed or have a white or black solid background instead of maintaining its transparency. I’ve learned that it’s often due to a compatibility issue.
Root cause: The application you're using alters transparent images or doesn't support transparency.
Solutions:
Check that the software or platform supports transparency in a specific file format. Some programs may not fully support raster image formats like PNG transparency but will support SVG vector images.
Export your logo in various file formats (PNG, SVG, EPS, PDF) to accommodate different needs.
Update software to the latest version, as older versions may have limited support for transparent images.
Check if there are options to preserve transparency when importing the image.
In some cases, you might need to use the built-in tools of the platform to manually set transparency.
5. The printed version looks different
It can be confusing when you notice that your logo looks different when printed compared to how it appears on your screen. But the thing is, digital displays are very different from printing processes. Screens use RGB light to display colors and printers use CMYK inks to reproduce colors. Because CMYK has a narrower color range than RGB, it's not easy to replicate some RGB colors in print.
Root cause: Differences between screen display (RGB) and print colors (CMYK).
Solutions:
Set the color mode to CMYK in your design program. This feature is available in Photoshop.
If you designed your logo in RGB, convert it to CMYK before printing. You can do this in Photoshop by clicking Edit > Convert to Profile or Image > Profile > Custom CMYK or Working CMYK.
Use soft-proofing techniques to simulate how your design will look when printed, directly on your monitor. In Adobe Photoshop, go to View > Proof Setup > Working CMYK.
Always print test copies before committing to a full production. This helps you see how colors and details appear on paper.
Consult a professional printing service about color profiles and file preparation. They can also advise you on the best type of paper for your design since different papers showcase colors differently.
Why do you need a transparent logo?
A transparent logo offers numerous benefits for branding and marketing your business. Here are the top reasons to always keep a transparent logo around.
Use your logo on any asset: Once you remove the background from logo, you have an adaptable image and the creative freedom to place your logo on platforms, branding materials, and future designs with varying colors, including the background color of websites, social media designs, and product packages.
Save time and money: You get to reserve your most important resources, which you’d otherwise spend on modifying the logo for different applications. It gets even better if you use an AI image background remover during the process. Business owners save up to 10 hours a week and $1000 monthly using AI photo editing tools.
Increase customer loyalty: Studies already show that logos influence customer behaviors. Adding a transparent logo to brand assets makes them look more visually appealing and professional. This appearance can boost audience perception, engagement, and trust, resulting in better conversions and customer loyalty.
Elevate brand recognition: A logo that looks neatly placed in all settings helps your brand maintain a consistent brand identity across platforms. It also increases recognition and recall, helping your brand to stand out in crowded markets.
7 ways to use a logo with transparent background
Now that you know how to make logos transparent and resolve any issues you might face with a transparent logo, you can start using your logo on different types of brand assets.
1. Add logo to your website or e-commerce store
Use your logo in your blog images or website's header, footer, or background to make your brand visible to visitors. This consistency helps people recognize your brand, which is key in e-commerce where a familiar logo can build trust and influence buying decisions. Different website builders require different logo image sizes for the header. But generally, you can use the following dimensions:
Horizontal layout: 250 x 150 pixels, 350 x 75 pixels, or 400 x 100 pixels
Vertical layout: 160 x 160 pixels
Full-width images: 468 x 60 pixels
Furniture marketplace and Photoroom user, Selency, places its transparent logo at the header of its website.
2. Brand your email signature
It’s such a small detail, but adding your logo to your email signature makes every email you send a branding opportunity. It adds a professional touch to your communication, ensures that every message you send feels connected to your brand, and helps build brand recognition over time, keeping your company top-of-mind for clients and partners.
Example of an email signature with a transparent brand logo attached.
3. Add logo to product photos
Your products are the offspring of your business. So, it makes sense to connect them to your brand in every product image, especially when sharing them on social media or your website. Doing so will make your products identifiable and prevent others from using your images without crediting your brand.
Jewelry maker and Photoroom user, Beadhouse, adds its transparent logo to product images before sharing them on social media.
4. Watermark official documents
Watermarking your official documents with your transparent logo adds a layer of professionalism and ownership. Whether it’s a proposal, memo, or white paper, it shows that the document belongs to your brand. Even if the document is shared or forwarded a hundred times, your brand stays attached to it, reinforcing credibility and protecting your content from unauthorized use.
Example of a document watermarked with a transparent logo.
5. Personalize print materials
Using your transparent logo on print materials—like business cards, packaging, and banners—keeps your brand consistent across all physical items. When someone receives a package, attends an event, or even holds your business card, your logo serves as a reminder of your brand. This personalizes the experience and leaves a lasting impression, making it easier for people to remember and recognize you in the future.
Beauty brand, Arami Essentials, uses its transparent logo on both merchandize and packaging materials.
6. Place logo on presentation slides
Add your transparent logo to the corner of a slide document so that it looks professional and your audience always associates the information with your brand. This hack comes in handy when pitching to a client or presenting at a meeting. It makes your work look professional and ensures that, even if the slides are shared later, your brand is still linked to the content, keeping you top of mind.
Example of how a transparent logo can look on a presentation slide.
7. Brand marketing materials
Every piece of content you share, whether digital or print, becomes an extension of your business. So, why not brand it with your logo? You can use logos for videos, brochures, infographics, social media posts, creative marketing ads, email newsletters, creative photos, or other engaging designs. This simple practice can make your brand more identifiable, helping build trust and familiarity with your audience.
Innocent attaches its transparent logo on all creative designs for social media posts.
Creating transparent logos has never been easier
It’s never been easier to make a transparent logo for your business. You don’t need all the time in the world. You don’t need any editing experience. You don’t even need to spend any money. All you need is 30 seconds, Photoroom’s free image background removal feature (Web, iOS, and Android), and a genuine desire to create quality beautiful designs.
Remember to tag your team (if any) while you’re at it, so they can easily access your logo project and use other collaborative design tools.
How to make a logo transparent FAQs
How do I change the color of my logo’s background?
Changing the background color depends on the background removal tool you're using. Many design apps have this feature. For example, AI editors like Photoroom have enhanced design features with a color palette for changing the background color. Just upload your logo and wait a few seconds for the app to remove the background, then you'll find an option to pick a new background color in the editor.
What is the best app for making logos transparent?
The best app for making logos transparent is Photoroom. It is available to iOS and Android users, accessible to the average user, comes with a background remover that doubles as a transparent logo maker, and has a user-friendly interface that lets you remove the background with just a few taps.
How do I make a paper-only logo transparent?
To make a paper-only logo transparent, you need to scan the paper logo first or take a photo of it, then upload it to a traditional graphic design tool like Adobe Photoshop or the modern image editing app Photoroom. These apps have tools that make image background transparent. They can remove the logo's background for you, turning it into a transparent image you can use anywhere online.
📚 More background removal resources