Summary
To add a background color to a BIMI SVG logo, the recommended approach involves incorporating the background directly into the SVG design. This can be achieved either by using the `fill` attribute within a specific path element or by adding a rectangle (`<rect>`) that covers the entire SVG area and setting its `fill` attribute to the desired background color. The rectangle should typically be the first element within the `<svg>` tag to ensure it's behind other elements. If a background color is essential for visibility, particularly in dark mode, it should be explicitly defined in the SVG. It is crucial to ensure that the final SVG remains well-formed, validated, and as compact as possible to maintain optimal rendering performance across diverse email clients and platforms.
Key findings
- Fill Attribute: The `fill` attribute is a primary method for specifying the background color of SVG elements.
- Rectangle Element: Adding a `<rect>` element with `width="100%"`, `height="100%"`, and a `fill` attribute is a common way to create a background.
- Dark Mode Visibility: Explicitly defining background colors is crucial for logos to be visible and recognizable in dark mode environments.
- BIMI Requirements: The BIMI logo must conform to the SVG Tiny Portable/Secure (SVG Tiny PS) standard.
Key considerations
- File Size: Minimize the SVG file size for efficient rendering, especially in email clients.
- Client Compatibility: Ensure the solution works consistently across different email clients and platforms.
- Proper Structure: The SVG code should be well-formed and validated to avoid rendering issues.
- Element Placement: If using a `<rect>` element for the background, ensure it's the first element inside the `<svg>` tag.
What email marketers say
8 marketer opinions
To add a background color to a BIMI SVG logo, the consensus is to define a background element within the SVG itself. This is commonly achieved by adding a rectangle (`<rect>`) that covers the entire SVG area. Set the `width` and `height` of the rectangle to `100%` and use the `fill` attribute to specify the desired background color (e.g., `fill="red"`). Ensure the rectangle is the first element within the `<svg>` tag to be placed behind other elements. If a specific background is needed for dark mode, explicitly define it in the SVG. It's also important to keep the SVG well-formed, validated, and as small as possible for optimal rendering performance.
Key opinions
- Inline CSS: Inline CSS within the SVG, using a `<rect>` element with a `fill` attribute, is a common approach.
- Background Element: The SVG needs a defined background element; otherwise, a background color might not be visible.
- Use fill attribute: The fill attribute can be used for all shape elements to add a colour
- Visibility: If your BIMI logo requires a specific background color for visibility (especially in dark mode), ensure your SVG contains the necessary shape elements to define that background. A transparent background might not be suitable.
Key considerations
- Size Optimization: Keep the SVG file size as small as possible to avoid impacting rendering performance.
- Validation: Ensure the SVG is well-formed and validated to render correctly across different email clients and platforms.
- Dark Mode: Explicitly define background colors, especially if the logo needs to be visible in dark mode.
- Correct Placement: Place the background rectangle as the first element within the `<svg>` tag to ensure it's behind other elements.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Reddit warns that if your BIMI logo requires a specific background color for visibility (especially in dark mode), ensure your SVG contains the necessary shape elements to define that background. A transparent background might not be suitable.
19 Jan 2022 - Reddit
Marketer view
Email marketer from Litmus emphasises the importance of the SVG being well-formed and validated. Background colors must be explicitly defined within the SVG, and it should render correctly across various email clients and dark mode environments.
12 Dec 2022 - Litmus
What the experts say
2 expert opinions
To add a background color to a BIMI SVG logo, experts recommend either using the `fill` attribute directly within the `<path>` element or ensuring the SVG is visually clear across all email clients and modes (including dark mode). If a specific background color is needed for visibility, it should be explicitly included in the SVG rather than relying on transparency.
Key opinions
- Fill Attribute: The `fill` attribute within the `<path>` element can directly set the background color.
- Visual Clarity: The BIMI logo should be clear and recognizable across all email clients and platforms, including dark mode.
- Explicit Background: If a background is needed for visibility, it should be explicitly included in the SVG, rather than relying on transparency.
Key considerations
- Dark Mode: Ensure the logo is visible and recognizable in dark mode.
- Client Compatibility: The solution should work consistently across different email clients.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks suggests using the `fill` attribute within the `<path>` element of the SVG code to set the background color. He provides an example: `<path d=... fill="#FFFFFF" />`.
6 Jun 2022 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise emphasizes that the BIMI logo should be visually clear and recognizable across different email clients and platforms, including those with dark mode. The SVG should include a background color if needed for proper visibility, not relying on transparency alone.
8 Aug 2024 - Word to the Wise
What the documentation says
4 technical articles
To add a background color to a BIMI SVG logo, the documentation suggests integrating the background as part of the SVG design. The `fill` attribute can be used on various SVG shapes like `<rect>`, `<circle>`, or `<path>` to specify the color that fills the interior of the element. Tools like Inkscape can assist in editing the fill and stroke of SVG objects to achieve the desired background color.
Key findings
- SVG Design: The background color should be integrated as part of the SVG design itself.
- Fill Attribute: The `fill` attribute is used to specify the color that fills the interior of SVG elements.
- SVG Shapes: The `fill` attribute can be applied to various SVG shapes, including `<rect>`, `<circle>`, and `<path>`.
- Inkscape Tool: Tools like Inkscape can be used to edit the fill and stroke of SVG objects.
Key considerations
- BIMI Standard: Ensure the SVG meets the BIMI standard as a square SVG Tiny Portable/Secure image.
- Proper element: Ensure the fill colour is applied to the correct element such as rect or path.
Technical article
Documentation from Inkscape explains that you can edit the fill and stroke of SVG objects using the Fill and Stroke dialog. You can select an object and then change its fill color, including setting it to a solid color for a background.
17 Jul 2024 - Inkscape.org
Technical article
Documentation from BIMIGroup.org specifies that the BIMI logo must be a square SVG Tiny Portable/Secure (SVG Tiny PS) image. It does not directly specify how to add a background color, but implies it should be part of the SVG design itself.
19 Jan 2025 - BIMIGroup.org
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