{"id":16092,"date":"2010-12-01T16:00:04","date_gmt":"2010-12-01T10:30:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/?p=16092"},"modified":"2026-10-13T13:39:06","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T08:09:06","slug":"inkscape-creates-blog-logo-shadow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/12\/inkscape-creates-blog-logo-shadow\/","title":{"rendered":"Create a Blog Logo with Mirrored Shadow in Inkscape (Free, 2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Want a professional-looking blog logo without paying a designer? Your blog title is one of the first things readers see, and a clean logo makes your site look trustworthy. Guest author Paul Adrian Gonzalez showed how to create a stylish <strong>blog logo<\/strong> with a mirrored &#8220;reflection&#8221; shadow in Inkscape, the free open-source vector design program. Here is the tutorial updated for Inkscape 1.x in 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-64080\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/blog-logo-inkscape-1024x538.webp\" alt=\"Create a blog logo with mirrored shadow in Inkscape\" width=\"1024\" height=\"538\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/blog-logo-inkscape-1024x538.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/blog-logo-inkscape-300x158.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/blog-logo-inkscape-150x79.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/blog-logo-inkscape-768x403.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/blog-logo-inkscape.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Quick answer:<\/strong> In Inkscape, type your blog name with the Text tool, choose a bold font, convert it to a path (Path &gt; Object to Path), duplicate it (Ctrl + D), flip the copy vertically (V), move it just below the original, then apply a transparent gradient to the copy so it fades out. Group both and export as SVG and PNG.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6af050906e93a\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6af050906e93a\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/12\/inkscape-creates-blog-logo-shadow\/#What_you_need\" >What you need<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/12\/inkscape-creates-blog-logo-shadow\/#Step_by_step_blog_logo_with_a_mirrored_shadow\" >Step by step: blog logo with a mirrored shadow<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/12\/inkscape-creates-blog-logo-shadow\/#Tips_for_a_great_logo\" >Tips for a great logo<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/12\/inkscape-creates-blog-logo-shadow\/#Other_free_logo_tools\" >Other free logo tools<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/12\/inkscape-creates-blog-logo-shadow\/#FAQ\" >FAQ<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/12\/inkscape-creates-blog-logo-shadow\/#Is_Inkscape_free_for_commercial_logos\" >Is Inkscape free for commercial logos?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/12\/inkscape-creates-blog-logo-shadow\/#Should_my_logo_be_SVG_or_PNG\" >Should my logo be SVG or PNG?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/12\/inkscape-creates-blog-logo-shadow\/#Are_reflection_logos_still_in_style\" >Are reflection logos still in style?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_you_need\"><\/span>What you need<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/inkscape.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Inkscape<\/a> (free for Windows, Mac and Linux).<\/li>\n<li>A bold font you are allowed to use. Google Fonts are free for logos.<\/li>\n<li>Your brand colours. If you have not chosen them yet, see how to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2012\/06\/create-blog-brand\/\">create a brand for your blog<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_by_step_blog_logo_with_a_mirrored_shadow\"><\/span>Step by step: blog logo with a mirrored shadow<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Create a document:<\/strong> File &gt; New, then Document Properties (Ctrl + Shift + D) to set a canvas such as 1200 x 400 px.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Type the title:<\/strong> press T for the Text tool, click the canvas and type your blog name. Pick the font, size and colour in the Text toolbar.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Convert to path:<\/strong> select the text and choose <strong>Path &gt; Object to Path<\/strong> (Shift + Ctrl + C). The letters become shapes, so the logo looks the same on any computer.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Duplicate:<\/strong> press <strong>Ctrl + D<\/strong> to make a copy on top of the original.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Flip:<\/strong> press <strong>V<\/strong> to flip the copy vertically.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Move it down:<\/strong> hold Ctrl and drag the copy straight down so its top touches the bottom of the original text.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fade it:<\/strong> open <strong>Fill and Stroke<\/strong> (Ctrl + Shift + F), choose a linear gradient, and set the gradient to run from about 40% opacity near the text to 0% at the bottom. Use the Gradient tool (G) to adjust the direction.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Group:<\/strong> select both and press <strong>Ctrl + G<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Export:<\/strong> save an <strong>Inkscape SVG<\/strong> master file, then use <strong>File &gt; Export<\/strong> (Shift + Ctrl + E) to export a PNG with a transparent background, or a plain SVG for the web.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tips_for_a_great_logo\"><\/span>Tips for a great logo<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Keep it simple and readable at small sizes.<\/li>\n<li>Use one or two colours, matching your site.<\/li>\n<li>Avoid tiny details in the reflection; a soft fade looks best.<\/li>\n<li>Upload an SVG or a 2x PNG so it stays sharp on high-resolution screens. See how to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2015\/03\/dispay-sharper-logo-on-high-resolution-screens\/\">display a sharper logo<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Create a matching icon too, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2012\/07\/create-favicon-online-free\/\">make a favicon<\/a> from it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Other_free_logo_tools\"><\/span>Other free logo tools<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Canva:<\/strong> quick logo templates, easy for beginners.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Figma:<\/strong> great for designers who also build web layouts.<\/li>\n<li><strong>GIMP:<\/strong> for raster effects, though vector tools like Inkscape scale better.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQ\"><\/span>FAQ<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_Inkscape_free_for_commercial_logos\"><\/span>Is Inkscape free for commercial logos?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes. Inkscape is free, open-source software, and you own the designs you create. Check the licence of any font you use.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Should_my_logo_be_SVG_or_PNG\"><\/span>Should my logo be SVG or PNG?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Use SVG where your site supports it for perfect sharpness, and PNG as a fallback.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_reflection_logos_still_in_style\"><\/span>Are reflection logos still in style?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Mirrored effects were popular in Web 2.0 designs. Today, use them subtly, or try a soft drop shadow instead with Filters &gt; Shadows and Glows.<\/p>\n<p><em>Originally written by guest author Paul Adrian Gonzalez, who wrote for ImpactLogos.co.au. Updated for Inkscape 1.x in 2026 by QuickOnlineTips.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Want a professional-looking blog logo without paying a designer? Your blog title is one of the first things readers see,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":64080,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[44,49],"class_list":["post-16092","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blogging","tag-guest-posts","tag-tutorials"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16092","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16092"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16092\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":65364,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16092\/revisions\/65364"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/64080"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16092"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16092"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16092"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}