I loved the logo that Renewed Treasures uses and asked owner Cindy Besselman if I could share it with you.
Better than that... she persuaded her graphic designer to share some wisdom with you!
Without further ado, Amanda Rachel Chastain Best on designing a consignment, resale or thrift shop logo:
I recommend the following steps when coming up with a good graphic:
1. Draw out your ideas on sketch paper, with labels and explanations. Do not use an eraser and draw anything that comes to mind. Narrow down your ideas to what captures the mission/vision of the organization.
2. Once you know the direction you want to go with the graphic, do research. Ask others what they think and see how others have already used of your idea (you don’t want to copy someone else’s idea but it is good to get inspiration from other designs).
3. Do not be afraid to start all over again when you get a new idea, receive constructive criticism, or the mission/vision behind the graphic goes in a new direction. Try not to fall in love with any early ideas because it may just be an infatuation!
4. Once your idea has become more refined, begin transferring it (or have someone else transfer your design) to a digital format. I recommend using software that will let you create your graphic into a vector so it can be enlarged and not look pixelated. A great logo is worthless if it can’t be printed in the size you need. Illustrator is great for creating vectors, but if you do not have access to this type of program Aviary is a good free web based program and I have heard Gimp (never used it myself) is good, as well.
Tips:
– I always recommend making a “black and white” or gray scale version of your graphic first since you will inevitably need to use it at some point in that kind of format.
– Keep your logo simple. People typically will see your logo briefly (driving past, quick glance at a business card or banner) so you need to be able to get across who you are in a visual manner quickly. Also logos that are too complicated or busy cannot always be recognized in various sizes.
– You may consider making multiple versions of your logo for different uses (change color scheme, orientation, amount of detail, with words or no words).
– Take breaks regularly! Any design that you mess with for 3 hours straight is going to frustrate you and begin to look horrible. But if you leave it for even 30 min and come back you will be shocked by how different you feel toward your graphic. HAVE FUN!
This version of Renewed Treasure’s logo incorporates the Christian cross, since the shop funds missionaries, as well as silhouettes of the shop’s merchandise.
This simpler version is more easily read at a glance. I love how the cross also brings to mind a signpost, don’t you?
You can contact Amanda on Facebook; I’m not sure if she’s currently accepting commissions or not.
Read more about logos for your resale business:
Auntie Kate The Resale Expert 
[…] And if you’re happy with your mission statement but want to think further about your business logo, heed to wise words from a designer here. […]
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