Logo Placement in PowerPoint

You’ve designed a slick, sophisticated and professional PowerPoint presentation. But where to put your company logo?

Logos play a key role in effective corporate branding. However, there are several important factors to consider regarding how often you use them in PowerPoint presentations and where to place them on slides. The placement of your logo is significant as it can emphasize your key message or, conversely, distract from content—an aspect that is often overlooked. In this article, we’ll guide you on how to place your logo correctly.

How to Insert Your Logo into PowerPoint

Follow these simple steps to insert your logo into PowerPoint:

1. Go to the View tab and select Slide Master.

   

2. Click the slide master slide (the top, larger slide) in the thumbnail pane.

   

3. Now select Background Styles from the ribbon.

   

4. Select Format Background.

5. To insert your logo file from your PC, choose Picture or texture fill.

   

6. Click Insert under Picture source. Select From a File, navigate to your logo file, select it, and click Insert.

7. The selected image will now fill the slide master background in the thumbnail pane along with all the layout masters below it.

8. If you want to create a watermark effect, drag the Transparency slider in the Format Background menu to adjust the desired opacity.

   

Another option: After step 2, you can add your logo by clicking on the first slide of your slide master and navigating to Insert > Pictures. This method allows for easier customization of your logo. You can see exactly how to do this here .

Note that in both options, the logo will appear on all your slides. Continue reading to learn how to insert your logo on individual slides only.

Do You Really Need a Logo on Every PowerPoint Slide?

In many business presentations, corporate logos often appear on every slide. But is that really necessary?

It’s important to remember that it’s all too easy to overlook something seen repeatedly. This applies not only to information but also to your logo. A logo that appears on every slide in the same position may quickly become redundant and feel more like advertising. With logos, “Less is more” is a key principle.

Additionally, extra elements on slides can distract from the main content. Logos should be used thoughtfully and with purpose. Your logo alone won’t drive conversions if your goal is to share content and sell your product.

Our tip: Include the logo at the beginning and the end of your presentation, and avoid placing it on every slide. The only exception is for self-running presentations, where your logo should be visible on every slide.

How to Insert Your Logo on Individual PowerPoint Slides Only

PowerPoint provides an easy way to place your logo on selected slides. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Go to View > Slide Master.

2. In the thumbnail pane in Slide Master view, select the master layout or layouts where you want to add your logo. (To select multiple layouts, shift-click your selected slides).

3. Click Background Styles.

4. Select Format Background.

5. Follow steps 5 and 6 from the tutorial above to add your logo.

6. Your logo will now fill the background of the selected slides.

How to Remove a Logo from Individual PowerPoint Slides

To remove your logo from specific slides, follow these instructions:

1. In Slide Master view, shift-click the slides from which you want to remove the logo in the thumbnail pane.

2. Check the Hide Background Graphics box in the Format Background pane.

   

What’s the Optimal Placement for Your PowerPoint Logo?

Did you know that the significance of your logo changes based on its placement? This is largely due to line of vision.

Our vision can be categorized into two types: central vision and peripheral vision:

• Central vision allows us to see objects sharply and in detail.
• Peripheral vision provides indirect sight, enabling us to view objects outside our central vision without turning our head.

Thus, your audience’s perception of your logo will vary depending on its placement—and this can differ depending on cultural context.

A key aspect of this is reading direction. In Western culture, we read from left to right, and this influences how we view PowerPoint slides. Interestingly, when reading websites, we first focus on the center of the upper third of the screen, where we expect to find the most important and current information.

Logos in the Upper-Left Corner of PowerPoint Slides

Placing your logo in the upper-left corner signals:

• A company with a strong corporate brand
• The company (and logo) being the main focus of the presentation

This placement exudes confidence and a robust corporate image, making it ideal for branding purposes. Due to Western culture’s reading direction, a logo positioned in the top left of a slide will be noticed first.

Logos in the Lower-Left Corner of PowerPoint Slides

When the logo is placed in the lower-left corner, it indicates:

• The logo is not the primary focus
• Slide content takes precedence
• Corporate branding is not the main goal of the presentation

This placement is best for discreet branding, allowing the logo to be seen after the content, thereby focusing attention on the content itself.

Logos in the Top-Right Corner of PowerPoint Slides

A logo at the top-right corner shares similar attributes to a top-left placement but in a more subdued manner, signaling:

• A strong corporate presence
• The logo and company are key focuses of the presentation

The upper-right corner is suitable for companies seeking to project a strong image, though it is less prominent than the upper-left corner due to the Western reading direction.

Logos at the Bottom-Right of Slides

Logos positioned in the bottom-right corner indicate:

• The logo is more in the background
• Slide content is prioritized
• The logo is incidental

Use the Right Logo Placement to Serve Your Company and Presentation

Your logo adds emphasis to your presentation and reflects your company’s impact. However, it’s crucial to use your logo thoughtfully without overcrowding your slides.

Consider what you want the logo to convey about your company. If corporate branding is your focus, opt for the upper section of the slide. If you want the content to take center stage with your logo playing a secondary role, choose the lower section of the slide.