App Logo Template

Design a better app icon on paper first. This pack gives you printable sketch sheets with standard app icon keyline grids, a clear specification of the sizes the app stores ask for, and a checklist workbook so no export is missed.

What is in the app logo template pack

• Icon sketch sheets — pages of rounded-square and circular icon frames at several sizes with a keyline grid, so you can sketch many ideas quickly.
• Keyline grid reference — the common construction grid with a centre circle, square and portrait/landscape rectangles that keep shapes visually balanced.
• Size specification sheet — the icon sizes app stores and platforms commonly require, in one table.
• Small-size test sheet — frames at 16, 32 and 48 pixels scale to check readability of a concept.
• Icon brief template (Word) — app name, audience, personality, colours, competitor icons and must-avoid elements.
• Export checklist workbook (Excel) — every size, format and file name, with status columns.

Why start an app icon on paper

An app icon is seen at tiny sizes among dozens of competitors, so the idea matters more than the rendering. Sketching twenty small thumbnails in the frames takes minutes and quickly shows which concepts read clearly as a simple silhouette. The keyline grid helps you size circles, squares and tall or wide shapes so they appear the same visual weight — a circle needs to be slightly larger than a square to look equally big. Only once a concept works at small size is it worth moving into a vector design tool.

Common app icon sizes

How to use the templates

1. Fill in the icon brief: what the app does, who it is for and three words for its personality.
2. Print the sketch sheets and draw at least 20 quick ideas without judging them.
3. Pick three and redraw them on the keyline grid, balancing the main shape.
4. Test the three on the small-size sheet: squint or view from a distance — can you still tell what it is?
5. Build the chosen icon in your vector tool, following the size sheet.
6. Tick off every export in the checklist workbook before submitting to the stores.

Design principles for app icons

• One idea: a single, bold shape reads better than a detailed scene.
• Limited colours: two or three colours with strong contrast stay recognisable.
• No small text: app names are shown under the icon; words inside it become unreadable.
• Consistent with the brand: reuse the logo mark or colour so the icon connects to your website and store listing.
• Distinct from competitors: check the store category and avoid the most common symbols and colours.
• Test on light and dark wallpapers and in dark mode.

Formats

Sketch sheets, the grid reference and the size sheets are print-ready PDFs (US Letter; they also print on A4). The icon brief and size specification also come as editable Word documents, and the export checklist is an Excel workbook. The pack contains templates and guidance, not a finished logo or design-software files.

Who uses it

Indie developers who do their own design, product managers briefing a designer, students in UX and graphic design courses, and small agencies running quick icon workshops with clients. The brief template is especially useful when you commission an icon: it answers most of the questions a designer will ask.