Can I use free software other than Adobe Illustrator to prepare my BIMI logo?

Yes, you can use open-source vector graphics software like Inkscape, which supports SVG as its native format. After exporting, you may still need to perform manual edits to the SVG file using a text editor to ensure it meets the specific BIMI SVG Tiny P/S requirements.

What is SVG Tiny P/S and why is it important for BIMI?

SVG Tiny P/S (Portable/Secure) is a specific profile of the SVG standard that BIMI requires. It's a simplified version that excludes certain elements (like scripts or external links) for security and consistent rendering across various email clients. Your SVG must be in this format for BIMI to work.

How do I manually edit an SVG file for BIMI compliance?

You can open an SVG file with any plain text editor (e.g., Notepad++, Sublime Text, Visual Studio Code). Inside, you'll see XML code. You'll need to confirm the tag has baseProfile="tiny-ps" and version="1.2" , remove any disallowed elements like scripts, and ensure all text is converted to paths.

Is a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) always required for my BIMI logo to show up?

Yes, for Gmail and some other major mailbox providers, a VMC is generally required for your BIMI logo to display. A VMC verifies that your organization owns the trademark for the logo, adding a layer of trust. However, some providers might display your logo without a VMC.

What are the recommended dimensions and file size for a BIMI SVG logo?

Your SVG logo must be a square aspect ratio, typically 200x200 or 300x300 pixels (though SVG is vector, these dimensions help define the viewBox). The file size must not exceed 32 KB. For more details, see our article on recommended SVG dimensions for BIMI .

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Technical

How can I prepare a logo for BIMI/VMC without using Adobe Illustrator?

Matthew Whittaker

Co-founder & CTO, Suped

Published 15 Jun 2025

Updated 17 Aug 2025

7 min read

Getting your brand's logo to appear next to your email in recipients' inboxes using BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification) and VMC (Verified Mark Certificate) is a powerful way to build trust and recognition. The challenge often lies in preparing your logo in the precise SVG (Scalable Vector Graphic) format that these standards require, especially if you're accustomed to using raster-based tools or don't have access to specialized design software like Adobe Illustrator.

The good news is that while Adobe Illustrator is a popular choice for this task, it's not the only path. There are alternative methods and tools you can leverage to ensure your logo meets the specific BIMI SVG requirements, allowing you to display your verified logo without needing to rely on expensive software or constant back-and-forth with a design team.

Understanding BIMI SVG requirements

The core requirement for a BIMI logo is that it must be an SVG file, specifically adhering to the SVG Tiny Portable/Secure (SVG P/S) profile. This isn't just any SVG, but a streamlined version designed for security and consistent rendering across various email clients and devices. Failing to meet these specifications can prevent your logo from appearing, even if your DMARC and BIMI records are correctly set up.

For your logo to be compatible with BIMI and VMC, it must be a vector graphic. Many company logos are initially created as pixel-based images (like JPG or PNG), which are unsuitable because they don't scale cleanly and can become blurry. Vector graphics, on the other hand, use mathematical equations to define shapes and lines, allowing them to be scaled to any size without loss of quality. The first step is always to ensure your logo is in a vector format like AI, EPS, or PDF before attempting to convert it to SVG.

Understanding these specific requirements is crucial, whether you use Illustrator or an alternative. The BIMI Group provides detailed guidance on creating compliant SVG files. Key elements include the file not exceeding 32 KB, having a square aspect ratio, and avoiding elements like embedded raster images, external references, or scripts. You can find more details on BIMI requirements for SVG files and Yahoo and recommended SVG dimensions.

Requirement	Details	Impact if not met
File format	SVG Tiny 1.2 Portable/Secure (SVG P/S)	Logo won't display, or displays incorrectly
Aspect ratio	Square (e.g., 200x200 or 300x300)	Logo may be stretched or cropped
File size	Max 32 KB	May fail to load, or load slowly
Content	No embedded raster images, external references, scripts, or text-dependent fonts (convert text to outlines)	Security risks, inconsistent rendering, or logo not displayed

Alternative software for SVG creation

If Adobe Illustrator isn't an option, several free or open-source vector graphic editors can help you create or convert your logo to SVG. Inkscape is perhaps the most prominent alternative, offering robust vector editing capabilities that rival paid software. It supports SVG as its native format, making it ideal for BIMI logo preparation.

When using Inkscape, you can import existing vector files (like EPS or PDF if your design team provides them) and then save them as SVG. It's crucial to select the correct SVG profile, often labeled as "Plain SVG" or similar, and then manually adjust the XML code to meet the specific SVG Tiny P/S requirements. While Inkscape simplifies the vector creation process, the final fine-tuning for BIMI still often involves a text editor.

Other tools, while primarily raster-based, sometimes offer SVG export functionalities. For instance, GIMP can export SVG files, though the resulting file might need significant cleanup to become BIMI compliant. The key is to start with a truly vector-based source image whenever possible, as converting a pixel-based image directly to a compliant SVG is often problematic.

Manual SVG editing with a text editor

The magic (and sometimes frustration) of SVG files for BIMI lies in their underlying XML structure. An SVG file is essentially a text file with instructions on how to draw the graphic. This means you can open any SVG file in a basic text editor like Notepad++, Sublime Text, or Visual Studio Code and make direct modifications.

Manual editing becomes necessary because even SVGs exported from vector design software may include elements not permitted by the SVG Tiny P/S profile, such as scripts, external links, or complex filters. The goal is to simplify the SVG code, remove anything non-essential, and ensure it includes the correct baseProfile and version attributes.

For example, you'll need to confirm the <svg> tag has baseProfile="tiny-ps" and version="1.2". Also, ensure there are no <script> tags, and that any text within the logo has been converted to paths or outlines, preventing font rendering issues. This process of manually cleaning up the SVG file is often unavoidable, regardless of the initial creation tool. For validation after editing, you can use BIMI SVG validation tools.

Example of a simplified BIMI-compliant SVGxml

<svg width="200" height="200" viewBox="0 0 200 200" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
  <title>Your Brand Logo</title>
  <circle cx="100" cy="100" r="80" fill="#0000FF"/>
  <path d="M50 100 L75 125 L150 50 L125 25 Z" fill="#FFFFFF"/>
</svg>

Common pitfalls and troubleshooting

While striving to avoid Illustrator, be aware of common pitfalls that can arise when preparing your logo for BIMI and VMC. These often lead to your logo not displaying correctly or at all, frustrating your efforts to enhance brand recognition. One frequent issue is the inclusion of gradients. While vector graphics support gradients, they can sometimes cause rendering inconsistencies or increase file size beyond the 32 KB limit, especially if not simplified or converted properly.

Another common stumbling block is dealing with logos that contain text. For BIMI compliance, any text in your logo must be converted to outlines (paths). If not, email clients may substitute fonts, leading to a distorted or unreadable logo. Similarly, avoid any embedded raster images within your SVG, as these violate the SVG Tiny P/S profile and can prevent your logo from being displayed.

Even with a perfectly compliant SVG, remember that displaying your logo in all supporting mailboxes, particularly Gmail, often requires a Verified Mark Certificate. This certificate verifies your trademark and adds an extra layer of trust. While some providers may display your logo without a VMC, it's generally required for broader adoption and the coveted blue checkmark. You can learn more about whether a VMC is always required and which email providers support BIMI without a VMC.

Views from the trenches

Best practices

Always start with a truly vector-based logo file, converting raster images to vector before SVG export.

Simplify complex gradients or effects within your logo to ensure compatibility and reduce file size.

Convert all text elements in your logo to outlines (paths) to avoid font rendering issues.

Common pitfalls

Attempting to convert pixel-based images directly to SVG without proper vectorization.

Including scripts, external links, or embedded raster images in your SVG file.

Exceeding the 32 KB file size limit for your SVG logo, leading to display failures.

Expert tips

"An SVG file is essentially a text file. If you're comfortable, opening it in a text editor for cleanup can save you a lot of back-and-forth."

"The BIMI Group often releases standalone conversion tools for SVGs, which can be very helpful if you already have a vector file."

"Be cautious with gradients in line art for SVGs. They can complicate things. Simpler logos tend to work best for BIMI."

Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks says they found they could largely prepare the SVG using a conversion tool, but occasionally needed to consult someone with Illustrator for minor fixes. They realized editing the XML directly was often the way forward.

2024-07-03 - Email Geeks

Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks says if the logo is already an SVG, it can often be opened in Notepad or another text editor for necessary edits, and they offer to assist with specific cases.

2024-07-03 - Email Geeks

Empowering your email brand without Illustrator

Preparing your logo for BIMI and VMC doesn't have to be a daunting task that requires specialized (and expensive) software like Adobe Illustrator. By understanding the specific SVG Tiny P/S requirements and leveraging alternative tools and direct XML editing, you can achieve compliance and get your brand's logo displayed in inboxes.

The key is to start with a high-quality vector source, pay close attention to the technical specifications, and be prepared to manually optimize the SVG code. With these approaches, you can successfully implement BIMI and enhance your email deliverability and brand recognition without hitting a wall due to software limitations.