Three ways to build a co-branded logo
The simplest layout puts two logos in a row with a thin divider between them: an “×” or a vertical line. Audiences already read this as a joint project. For Stories, hang tags and narrow banners, the logos are stacked with a short line in between.
The third option is a dedicated collaboration mark: a project name plus small badges of both brands. It makes sense when the project has its own name and will live longer than one post, such as a shared collection, a seasonal campaign or event merch. For a one-off post it is overkill.
- Align by optical centre, not by file edges, because each logo file has different internal padding.
- Compare visual weight rather than pixel size: a wide wordmark and a square emblem at the same height never look equal.
- Keep the divider thinner and smaller than the logos so it does not compete with them.
- Use equal spacing on both sides and respect each brand’s clear space.
Who leads: order and weight
Collaborations can be equal or uneven. If a Tashkent coffee shop and a local clothing label release merch together, they can stand side by side. If one brand makes the product and the other is a guest, it is reasonable to make the lead logo larger or place it first and label the guest “in partnership with”.
What matters is agreeing in advance and keeping the order consistent. If your logo sits on the left of the cover, your brand should come first in the caption too, unless both sides fix an equal rotation from the start. Settle the question of whose logo is bigger before design begins, not after publication.
Colour and background
Two brands’ palettes often clash, for example a deep red next to a neon green. The safest option is monochrome: both marks in white on a dark background or in black on a light one. That block looks unified and works on almost any surface.
The alternative is a neutral background where both logos keep their own colours. A shared palette is only justified when you create a separate collaboration mark. Check the layout in greyscale: if one logo visually overpowers the other, scale it down.
Files and partner approval
Do not pull a partner’s logo from a screenshot or an Instagram profile picture. It will be blurry and the proportions may be off. Ask for the original files and settle the terms in writing, in a chat thread or one short document.
- A vector logo plus versions for light and dark backgrounds.
- Clear space and minimum size from the brand guidelines.
- A list of prohibitions: what must not be stretched, recoloured or extended.
- Who prepares the design and who approves it on each side.
- How long the joint mark may be used and what happens to the materials after the project ends.
Test at small size and prepare a format set
A joint mark is most often seen tiny: in a chat avatar, a Reels preview or on a tag. Shrink the layout to icon size and check that both logos still read. If small lettering disappears, switch to simplified versions without taglines.
Build the block once and save it as a separate file instead of reassembling it for every asset. For social media, prepare a set: square, vertical, horizontal and an avatar version. Send your partner one document with every variant and a note on where and on which background it will be used, so approval takes a single round.
Extending the joint mark into a Telegram bot
In Uzbekistan many collaborations end up in Telegram: that is where promo codes are issued, giveaway entries collected, pre-orders taken and event registrations handled. When someone moves from Instagram to a bot or channel, seeing the same joint mark on the avatar and the same style in the welcome message keeps the project feeling like one thing.
A bot can take an order, confirm payment through Click or Payme, issue a coupon and record where each person came from. After the campaign you can see which channel really brought customers to both brands. At markdev we build such bots around the specific mechanics of a project, and you are welcome to talk through yours.
Common mistakes
Most problems repeat from project to project, and nearly all are solved at the agreement stage.
- One logo noticeably larger than the other without agreement.
- Stretched or distorted marks.
- Different arrangements in different materials.
- Publishing without the partner’s sign-off.
- Colours that make one logo disappear into the background.
FAQ
Which divider works best between two logos?
An “×” or a thin vertical line is the most common. It should be lighter than the logos so it supports them rather than competing.
Can I redraw a partner’s logo to fit my layout?
No. Do not change the proportions, colours or details of someone else’s mark. If you need another version, ask the partner or use the monochrome variant from their guidelines.
Do I always need a separate collaboration mark?
No. It pays off when the project has its own name and a long life. For a single post, a neatly built pair of logos is enough.
What if the partner has no brand guidelines?
Ask for at least a vector file, the main colours and a version for dark backgrounds. Record these and the usage rules on one page.
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