I rarely use Microsoft Word, but have a friend that uses it for forms and invoices. I was asked to create a logo that they could use for these forms (the logo is an illustrator eps file). What is the best format to save it in so that we can put it on multiple forms and documents in word?

They also want me to create a word template for a letterhead. I hate word

Thanks for any advice!
Natalie

I don't use Word either, on a regular basis. But, since it's a Microsoft program, I'd recommend saving the file in various formats, and see which one works the best for the intended output - whether from an inkjet, laser printer or a commercial printer. Many commercial printers will not accept Word files for print.

Off-hand, your best bet would be to save the Illustrator .eps file as a high-res JPG (at 300 ppi to size). The original .eps may work also. While going through the process of re-saving, or exporting the original file to another format, look for any format that may be PC compatible. Microsoft and Word is all about PC and Windows.

Thanks Mike!

It depends also on if this is Word for Windows or Word for the Mac. I have had graphics that look fine in Word for Mac come out as garbage when the document was moved to a Windows machine and visa versa.

TIFF's usually work well, or as well as can be expected, with Office Mac 2008.

it will be going to a pc. I think I have used .jpg before-I assume that will work ok?

Try it first - I don't think you can safely assume anything.

You probably want to start with a vector graphic, and develop different size raster graphics (*.tiffs) from that.

*.jpegs don't render edges clearly and alter color, but it is a compressed file, which minimizes storage needs somewhat after many letters are stored. It's not worth the savings.

A .jpeg isn't very scalable, and looks bad when scaled. The edges will be cleaner using a *.tiff, but the color won't shift on different output devices.

You'll need to provide multiple raster file resolutions for multiple applications, e.g., large and small logos for letterhead, and even larger *.tifs for signs, etc.

Why don't you develop a vector-based file in Illustrator, and then derive a couple *.tiff-based letterhead template files in MS Word? (The *.tif letterheads will be almost idiot-proof workflows that non-skilled people just have to recall from disk.) That's what all the big firms do. If your client needs another size graphic for another purpose (for instance, mailing labels, bumper stickers, window logos, banners, logos on promotional items), it's easy to develop them from the original vector graphic (with the right software, of course).

Look at the attached file below. The *.tif didn't alter color, but blurred edges slightly on enlarging. The *.jpeg altered the color (added blue & black!) and really blurred the edges. You need to do business in archival file formats.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Chuck M,

Natalie,

Chances are that you probably know this already. If you decide to use TIF, you can also compress the file during the save with LZW Compression. LZW Compression is non-lossy. Since you're saving for PC, you can also select the Byte Order, IBM PC.

My Illustrator CS has a separate stand alone "Save for Microsoft Office" function under "File". Is Adobe trying to tell us something cause it is saving the resulting file as a png?
Wikipedia talks about pngs.
"PNG is a better choice than JPEG for storing images that contain text, line art, or other images with sharp transitions. " -Wiki