Guide · Updated
Logo for a new company in the UK: name check, trademark and files
801,864 companies were incorporated in the UK in the year to 31 March 2025, according to Companies House figures. Each of them needs a name people remember and a logo they can protect. This guide gives the steps in the UK, with the official offices to use.
New businesses in the UK
Step 1: check the name before you design
- Search the Companies House search for companies with the same or a similar name.
- Search the WIPO Global Brand Database for marks with similar words or images in your field.
- Check that the web address and social handles you want are free.
Step 2: make the logo registrable
- Choose a distinctive symbol, not a generic picture of what you sell.
- Leave out national flags and state emblems: they are protected under Article 6ter of the Paris Convention, and trademark offices refuse marks that contain them without permission.
- Keep a dated record of when your design was made. Phiora gives every final logo a registry number, a certificate and a Bitcoin timestamp.
Step 3: file your trademark in the UK
Trademark applications in the UK go to the UK Intellectual Property Office (GOV.UK). Registering your company or trade licence is a separate step and does not protect your logo. For advice on classes and fees, ask the office or a local adviser.
Files to keep
| Where it is used | File |
|---|---|
| Print, signs and vehicles | SVG or vector PDF |
| Website and apps | SVG, plus PNG with a transparent background |
| Social media profiles | Square PNG |
| Email signature and documents | PNG |
Occasions to plan greeting cards for in the UK
- Christmas
- New Year
- Eid al-Fitr
- Make cards with your logo free on Phiora occasion cards, sized for email, WhatsApp and LinkedIn.
Questions
Do I have to register a trademark to use my logo?
You can usually use a logo without registering it, but registration is what gives you clear rights you can enforce in the UK. Apply through the UK Intellectual Property Office (GOV.UK).
Can my logo use the flag of the United Kingdom?
Flags and state emblems are protected under Article 6ter of the Paris Convention, so trademark offices refuse logos that contain them without permission. Use your own colours and shapes instead.
Is a Phiora registry number a trademark?
No. It is a dated record that proves when your design was made. A trademark is registered with the UK Intellectual Property Office (GOV.UK).
How quickly can I get a logo with Phiora?
Your first draft is free and takes about 30 seconds. The logo kit ($49) includes up to 8 drafts, the final logo, vector and transparent files and a certificate.