Logos are tricky things to work with.
For artwork to be printed correctly, it is best to use vector format logos in which the fonts have been converted to curves. The most common vector format used is Encapsulated PostScript (EPS). (Typically, the vector format logos are created in a program like Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW, and saved into EPS format files.)
Then there will be colour, black and white, plus reverse versions required.
And within the colour area, often CMYK and PMS versions are required.
Typically, MS Office programs, such as Word and PowerPoint, handle bitmap format files better than vector format files. Tagged Image File Format (TIFF) files seem to work best. Since Office XP, PowerPoint has been able to handle transparent TIFF files, which means logos can be placed over other elements without a solid background.
Of course, the problem with bitmap file formats is that they are produced with a given number of pixels at a specific dots per inch (dpi) setting to achieve a given height and width for printing to a particular output device.
For TIF file bitmap images to be used in Word and PowerPoint and printed to a typical inkjet or laser printer, using 100 to 150 dpi produces good results.
On the other hand, for web applications, most people still typically produce GIF and/or JPEG format bitmap files. Files used on the web are generally created at 72 or 96 dpi. They are usually made using programs like Adobe Photoshop and then optimised for file size using a program like Adobe ImageReady.
This quickly adds up to a considerable number of files being needed. And many people simply do not understand why.
Tip: Obtaining high-quality client, prospect, and partner logos.
Sometimes, it is not possible to obtain the logo you need on time directly from an organisation. It is often possible to get a reasonable-quality logo from an organisation's website. But sometimes the quality just isn't good enough.
Thankfully, there is a workaround for this. Often, a PDF file (such as a brochure or annual report) will be available on the organisation's website that includes a vector logo. If the PDF file hasn't been protected, the page can often be opened in Adobe Illustrator, and the logo can be extracted and saved in EPS file format. Then whatever logo file you need can be produced from that starting point.