--- name: sales-smashinglogo description: "SmashingLogo (smashinglogo.com) platform help — a budget AI logo maker + one-time brand-package generator in the budget logo cluster (Hatchful/Namecheap/DesignEvo/LOGO.com/LogoMaker/Ucraft/FreeLogoDesign). Two facts frame every answer: (1) NO FREE DOWNLOAD — designing/previewing are free but you PAY to download anything, like LogoMaker.com and harsher than the free-download peers. (2) ONE-TIME per logo, not a subscription — the cheapest tier is PNG-only; vector (EPS/PDF) plus brand guidelines, social kit, and promo video are gated to the mid Business tier or up. It claims AI-unique icons and full ownership + trademark rights, but a vendor claim is NOT a registered trademark — run USPTO/EUIPO clearance. UI-only — NO public API/webhooks/Zapier/MCP. Use when making a logo, the no-free-download gate, the PNG-vs-paid-vector gate, one-time vs subscription pricing, or ownership/uniqueness/trademark. Do NOT use to generate the business name (use /sales-namelix) or compare branding tools (use /sales-idea-validation)." argument-hint: "[describe what you need help with in SmashingLogo]" license: MIT version: 1.0.0 tags: [sales, branding, pre-launch, platform] --- # SmashingLogo Platform Help SmashingLogo (**smashinglogo.com**) is an **AI-powered logo maker + one-time brand-package generator** — you answer a few questions (business name, industry, style preferences) and it generates **hundreds of unique logo options in seconds**, which you refine in an in-browser editor. It's a peer in the budget logo cluster (**Hatchful / Namecheap / DesignEvo / LOGO.com / LogoMaker / Ucraft / FreeLogoDesign / LogoAI / Zoviz / Brandmark / Mojomox**) — the **branding/logo step** for founders and small businesses who've locked a name. The boundary matters: a **logo is downstream of a locked name, which is downstream of a validated idea**, so validate demand first (`/sales-idea-validation` → a real behavior test) and name it (`/sales-namelix`) before branding. **The first fact that frames every answer — there is NO free download; you pay to get anything.** Designing and previewing are free (and you don't even need an account to preview), but **every production file requires a purchase** — the free preview is **watermarked**. This puts SmashingLogo in the **pay-to-download camp with LogoMaker.com**, and it's **harsher than the free-download peers**: Hatchful gives a free PNG, Namecheap a free logo incl. **free vector SVG**, DesignEvo/LOGO.com a free credited-or-PNG download, Ucraft a free 600px PNG, FreeLogoDesign a free 200px PNG. So a "free SmashingLogo logo" is a **watermarked preview**, not a deliverable. This is UI-only — there is **NO public API** (see Step 4). **The second fact — one-time per logo (not a subscription), and the cheapest tier is PNG-only.** Pricing is a **one-time purchase per logo** (not recurring), across **three tiers** (recent reviews: **Lite / Business / Premium**; older sources call them Essentials/Pro/Business). The **cheapest tier (Lite) is PNG-only** — **vector (EPS/PDF)** unlocks at the **mid Business tier**, which also bundles the **brand guidelines, social-media kit, and promo video**; **Premium** adds logo animation, a QR code, IconFlex, and "Rebrand Forever." So the vector gate is a **tier upgrade**, and you're buying a **full brand package**, not just a file. Prices conflict heavily across sources (**best-effort** — the live pricing page blocked automated fetch). ## Step 1 — Gather context If `references/learnings.md` exists, read it first for accumulated platform knowledge. Ask only what you can't infer: 1. **What do you want from SmashingLogo?** - A) Generate/refine a logo (answer questions → AI options → edit text/fonts/colors/layout) - B) Understand what's **free** vs **paid** (there's **no free download** — the free preview is watermarked) - C) Get a specific **format** — **vector EPS/PDF** or high-res PNG (all paid; vector is Business+) - D) The **tiers** — **Lite (PNG-only) / Business (adds vector + brand kit) / Premium** (all **one-time**) - E) **Ownership / uniqueness / trademark** — the "AI-unique icons + trademark rights" claim and what it really means - F) A **refund** or satisfaction-guarantee question - G) Integrate or automate ("API" / bulk generation — see Step 4) 2. **What will the logo be used for — digital/social, or print/large-format?** If print/signage, you need **vector** (EPS/PDF) — a PNG pixelates when enlarged; vector is the **Business tier or higher**. Skip-ahead: a *name* (not a logo) → `/sales-namelix`; the validate-before-building *method* or a branding-tool comparison → `/sales-idea-validation`; wider social/marketing creative → `/sales-canva` — route in Step 2. ## Step 2 — Route or answer directly | If the user's question is about… | Route to | |---|---| | Generating the **business name** itself (not the logo) | `/sales-namelix {question}` | | The validate-before-building **method**, or comparing branding/logo tools across the market | `/sales-idea-validation {question}` | | Getting a **vector from a raster** logo / print-readiness in general | `/sales-idea-validation {question}` | | A **free logo that also gives free VECTOR SVG** (SmashingLogo has no free download) | `/sales-namecheap-logo-maker {question}` | | A **free usable PNG** (SmashingLogo's free preview is watermarked) | `/sales-hatchful {question}` | | Building the wider **social/marketing creative** or a design system at scale | `/sales-canva {question}` | When routing, give the exact command: "This is a {domain} question — run: `/sales-namelix {original question}`" Otherwise, answer SmashingLogo–specific questions using Step 3. ## Step 3 — SmashingLogo reference **Read `references/platform-guide.md`** for the full reference — the **questions → AI options → edit → BUY to download** workflow and every module's automation tag; **exactly what's free vs paid** (there's **no free download**; the free preview is watermarked) and what **Lite / Business / Premium** each unlock (and where **vector** lives); the **one-time (not subscription)** model and how prices conflict across sources; the **uniqueness + ownership + trademark** claims and the honest caveat (a vendor claim ≠ a registered trademark); the **refund/satisfaction guarantee**; and the **no-public-API** reality (why generation can't be scripted and what to use instead). Answer using only the relevant section — don't dump the full reference. ## Step 4 — Actionable guidance - **State the gate plainly: there is no free download — you pay to get anything.** Designing and previewing are free (no account needed to preview), but the **free preview is watermarked** and **every production file requires a purchase**. This is like **LogoMaker.com** and harsher than the free-download peers. **Flag all pricing, format, tier, and ownership/trademark specifics as best-effort → verify at smashinglogo.com** (the live site blocked automated fetch and sources conflict). - **It's one-time per logo (not a subscription), and vector is a tier upgrade.** Three **one-time** tiers (recent: **Lite / Business / Premium**). **Lite is PNG-only**; **vector (EPS/PDF)** unlocks at the **mid Business tier**, which also bundles **brand guidelines + a social-media kit + a promo video**; **Premium** adds logo animation, a QR code, IconFlex, and "Rebrand Forever." So don't tell a user the cheapest tier gives vector — it doesn't. Want vector **for free**? → **Namecheap** (free SVG). Want a **free usable PNG**? → **Hatchful** (free full-res PNG). - **Take the uniqueness + trademark claims at face value — but be precise about what a vendor claim is.** SmashingLogo advertises **AI-generated unique icons per user** (not recycled shared templates), that your exact combination **isn't resold**, and **full commercial ownership + trademark rights on all tiers** — a genuinely stronger pitch than the shared-template peers. But say the honest part: **a vendor's ownership/"trademark rights" language is NOT a granted registered trademark.** You still must **register the mark yourself and run a USPTO/EUIPO clearance + distinctiveness check** and grab the domain + handles before relying on it legally — and **treat the ownership/uniqueness/trademark claims as best-effort and tell the user to confirm the current terms on smashinglogo.com.** - **Lock the name (and validate the idea) before you make a logo.** A logo is downstream: validate demand (`/sales-idea-validation`), settle the name (`/sales-namelix`), *then* brand — never brand a name you might change. - **There's a satisfaction guarantee, but read the terms.** SmashingLogo markets a satisfaction/money-back guarantee on its paid tiers; specific terms (window, what's covered) aren't clearly documented — tell the user to confirm the refund policy on the site **before** buying, especially since there's no free trial to test the full output first. - **There is NO public API — don't plan a pipeline around it.** If asked to "use the SmashingLogo API" or generate logos in bulk from a script, be precise: it's a **human-in-the-loop UI tool** with **no REST endpoints, no webhooks, no Zapier/Make, no MCP** (a "LinkedIn Jobs" entry in one listing is a **login** integration, not automation). Don't invent endpoints. For programmatic logo/image generation at volume, use an **image-generation service with a documented API**. If you discover a gotcha or tip not in `references/learnings.md`, append it there with today's date. ## Gotchas *Best-effort from research (2026-07) — features/formats/prices move; the live site returned 403 to automated fetch, so research was assembled from third-party reviews and listings. Verify at smashinglogo.com.* - **No free download — say this first.** Designing/previewing is free but the **free preview is watermarked**; **every production file is paid.** A "free" SmashingLogo logo is a watermarked preview (pay-to-download camp with LogoMaker.com; harsher than Hatchful/Namecheap/DesignEvo/LOGO.com/Ucraft/FreeLogoDesign, which give some free file). - **One-time per logo, not a subscription — and vector is a tier upgrade.** Three one-time tiers (recent: **Lite / Business / Premium**). **Lite is PNG-only**; **vector (EPS/PDF) + brand guidelines + social kit + promo video** start at the **Business tier**; Premium adds animation/QR/IconFlex/"Rebrand Forever." For **free vector** → Namecheap; for a **free usable PNG** → Hatchful. Prices conflict across sources — best-effort. - **Uniqueness + "trademark rights" are vendor claims, not a registered trademark.** The AI-unique-icon and full-ownership pitch is real and a plus, but it's **not** a granted trademark — still register the mark and run a **USPTO/EUIPO** clearance + distinctiveness check yourself. - **No free trial and unclear refund terms.** There's a satisfaction/money-back guarantee but no way to test the full un-watermarked output before paying — confirm the refund window/terms on the site before buying. - **NO public API, webhooks, Zapier/Make, or MCP.** UI-only; generation can't be scripted — don't invent endpoints (the "LinkedIn Jobs" listing is a login, not automation). For volume, use an image-generation service with an API. ## Related skills - `/sales-namelix` — Generate the business name first (a logo is the hand-off from the name) - `/sales-logomaker` — LogoMaker.com: the **other pay-to-download peer** with **no free download** — but its vector SVG sits in a cheaper ~$40 base package (SmashingLogo gates vector behind the mid Business tier) - `/sales-designevo` — A one-time template peer whose **vector is a ~$50 Plus tier** (Basic is raster) — the closest analog to SmashingLogo's "vector is a tier upgrade," but DesignEvo at least gives a free credited PNG - `/sales-namecheap-logo-maker` — The free peer that also gives **free vector SVG** — the go-to when you want vector without paying (SmashingLogo has no free download at all) - `/sales-hatchful` — The free peer that gives a **free full-resolution PNG** — better than SmashingLogo's watermarked preview when you just need a usable raster (but Hatchful has no vector) - `/sales-idea-validation` — The validate-before-building method and the full naming/branding landscape (validate and name before you brand; also covers the raster→vector / print-readiness problem) - `/sales-canva` — Once the logo's done, build the wider marketing/social creative and design system at scale - `/sales-do` — Not sure which skill to use? The router matches any sales objective to the right skill. Install: `npx skills add sales-skills/sales --skill sales-do -a claude-code` ## Examples ### Example 1: "SmashingLogo made a great logo — how do I download it for free?" **User says**: "I generated a logo I love on SmashingLogo. How do I download it? It looks free." **Skill does**: Explains that **designing and previewing are free but there is no free download** — the free preview is **watermarked**, and **every production file requires a one-time purchase**. Notes the tiers are **one-time** (recent: Lite/Business/Premium), that **Lite is PNG-only** while **vector (EPS/PDF) + brand kit** start at the **Business tier**, and that for a **genuinely free** logo you'd use **Namecheap** (free, incl. SVG) or **Hatchful** (free PNG). Flags prices as best-effort → smashinglogo.com. **Result**: The user understands the pay-to-download gate and either buys the right tier or switches to a free peer. ### Example 2: "SmashingLogo says the logo is unique and I get trademark rights — is it legally mine?" (ownership / references) **User says**: "SmashingLogo says the icons are AI-unique and I get full ownership and trademark rights. Does that mean it's trademarked and only mine?" **Skill does**: Credits the real advantage — SmashingLogo generates **AI-unique icons per user** (not recycled templates) and doesn't resell your exact combination, a stronger pitch than the shared-template cluster. But is precise: a **vendor's ownership/"trademark rights" language is NOT a granted registered trademark** — you still must **register the mark and run a USPTO/EUIPO clearance + distinctiveness check** and secure the domain + handles. **Result**: The user values the uniqueness edge but plans proper registration and clearance rather than assuming it. ### Example 3: "How do I call the SmashingLogo API to auto-generate logos in bulk?" (developer/automation) **User says**: "How do I use the SmashingLogo API to generate 100 logos from a script?" **Skill does**: States SmashingLogo has **no public API** — it's a **manual UI tool** with **no REST endpoints, webhooks, Zapier/Make, or MCP** (a "LinkedIn Jobs" listing is a **login**, not automation) — so logo generation **cannot be scripted**. Does not invent endpoints. Suggests an **image-generation service with a documented API** for programmatic/bulk logo generation, then vectorize if needed. **Result**: The user avoids building on a nonexistent API and picks a workable path. ## Troubleshooting ### "SmashingLogo says free — why can't I download my logo without paying?" **Symptom**: You designed a logo but every download prompts a purchase. **Cause**: SmashingLogo has **no free download** — designing/previewing is free, but the free preview is **watermarked** and all production files are **paid** (like LogoMaker.com). **Solution**: Buy a tier to download — **Lite** (PNG-only), **Business** (adds **vector EPS/PDF** + brand guidelines + social kit + promo video), or **Premium** (adds animation/QR/IconFlex/"Rebrand Forever"), all one-time. Or, for a **free** logo, switch peers: **Hatchful** (free full-res PNG) or **Namecheap** (free logo incl. **free SVG**). Confirm prices live at smashinglogo.com. ### "I need a vector / EPS / SVG for print — which tier is that?" **Symptom**: Your printer/large-format needs a scalable file and you're not sure which SmashingLogo tier gives vector. **Cause**: The **cheapest tier (Lite) is PNG-only** — a raster PNG pixelates when enlarged. **Vector (EPS/PDF)** unlocks at the **mid Business tier** (bundled with the brand kit). **Solution**: Buy **Business** (or Premium) for the vector files. Want vector **for free**? Use **Namecheap** (free SVG). Auto-tracing a Lite PNG to vector is lossy — buy Business and export vector directly. Confirm live. ### "Is SmashingLogo a one-time payment or a subscription? Will I be billed again?" **Symptom**: You're unsure whether you bought a one-time logo or signed up for a recurring plan. **Cause**: SmashingLogo is **one-time per logo**, not a subscription — you pay once for the tier you choose. **Solution**: You shouldn't see a recurring charge; if you do, check what you purchased and contact support. The "Rebrand Forever" perk (Premium) is a one-time buy, not a subscription. Verify the current terms on the site. ### "Is there an API to generate logos in bulk?" **Symptom**: You can't find SmashingLogo API docs to script logo creation. **Cause**: SmashingLogo is **UI-only** — **no REST endpoints, webhooks, Zapier/Make, or MCP** (the "LinkedIn Jobs" listing is a login integration). **Solution**: Don't build a bulk-generation pipeline on it. For programmatic logo/image generation, use an **image-generation service with a documented API**. Reserve SmashingLogo for interactive, one-off logos.