How to Create a BIMI-Compliant SVG Logo That Works

When you set up BIMI - the standard that displays your logo next to your emails in supporting mailboxes - you will run into a problem that trips up almost everyone: your SVG file looks fine, validates fine, but still doesn't display.

The issue is almost always the same. The converter doesn't produce the right SVG profile.

This guide covers exactly what BIMI requires, why the requirements exist, which converters work, and what determines whether your logo actually appears in a recipient's inbox.

What BIMI Actually Requires

BIMI stands for Brand Indicators for Message Identification. It lets mailboxes display your logo alongside your emails. To use it, you need:

A valid SVG logo file
Either a VMC (Verified Mark Certificate) or a CMC (Certified Mark Certificate) to prove you have the right to use that logo
A DNS BIMI record pointing to the logo's location

The SVG part is where most people get stuck.

BIMI does not accept just any SVG. It requires the SVG Tiny PS 1.2 profile. This is a specific subset of the SVG specification with strict rules about what elements and attributes are allowed.

If your converter produces a standard SVG - even one that opens perfectly in a browser - it will likely fail at the mailbox provider.

The File Size Limit

Your SVG must be under 32 kilobytes. This is a hard limit imposed by the BIMI specification. Beyond the file size, the content must also conform to the Tiny PS profile, which means no external references, no external fonts, no animations, and a restricted set of SVG elements.

Why Most Converters Fail

The most common failure mode: a converter that produces a structurally valid SVG containing elements or attributes the Tiny PS profile doesn't allow.

A typical SVG from Figma, Inkscape, Adobe Illustrator, or an online converter might include things like:

`` elements
External font references
Unsupported color profiles
Metadata nodes that seem harmless but aren't part of the Tiny PS profile
Embedded raster images (which are also not allowed)

These files often pass generic SVG validators. They pass the W3C SVG validator. They render fine in browsers. But Gmail, Yahoo, or Apple Mail rejects them because they don't match the Tiny PS 1.2 profile that BIMI specifies.

Google in particular is strict. A file that technically validates can still get rejected because it includes stray metadata nodes or unsupported attributes that a general SVG validator doesn't flag.

This is why using a converter that understands the Tiny PS profile specifically matters - not just any SVG optimizer or converter.

How to Validate Before You Publish

Before you publish your BIMI DNS record, test your SVG against the BIMI Group's SVG validator at bimigroup.org. This validator checks specifically for Tiny PS 1.2 compliance, not just general SVG validity.

You can also use tools like dmarcadvisor.com/de/bimi-check/ which will report on your BIMI record setup and flag SVG issues.

This step is where most people skip ahead and then wonder why their logo doesn't display. Validate first, publish second.

VMC vs CMC: What Determines Whether You Get a Checkmark

BIMI supports two types of certificates: VMC and CMC.

VMC (Verified Mark Certificate) is the full option. It works with Gmail, Google Workspace, Yahoo, Apple Mail, Comcast, and most supporting mailboxes. With a VMC, Gmail displays a blue checkmark next to your logo - the same kind of checkmark you see on verified social media accounts.

CMC (Certified Mark Certificate) is a lighter option that only works with Gmail and does not include the checkmark. It is significantly cheaper, but the logo display is limited.

The practical difference: if your audience is primarily Gmail users and you don't need the checkmark, a CMC is a viable path. If you want consistent logo display across mailboxes plus the checkmark, you need a VMC.

Microsoft Outlook does not support BIMI. This is a common point of frustration. As of 2026, Outlook - both the desktop client and Outlook.com - does not display BIMI logos regardless of whether you have a VMC. If your audience includes a lot of Outlook users, a BIMI logo will not be visible to them. This is worth knowing before spending money on a VMC. Several community members in r/DMARC noted they discovered this after purchasing a certificate - a frustrating lesson in knowing your audience first.

VMCs are purchased through Certificate Authorities (CAs) authorized by the MVA (Mark Validation Authority). They are not cheap - roughly $1,500 per year through most resellers - but the community at r/DMARC has noted that resellers can offer better pricing than buying direct.

Which Mailboxes Support BIMI

| Mailbox | BIMI Support | Checkmark | |---|---|---| | Gmail / Google Workspace | Yes | Yes (with VMC) | | Yahoo Mail | Yes | No | | Apple Mail | Yes | No | | Comcast | Yes | No | | Outlook.com | No | No | | Outlook (desktop) | No | No |

If most of your contacts use Outlook, BIMI will not move the needle for your emails visually.

Tools and Workflow

Several tools can convert an existing image or SVG into a BIMI-compliant Tiny PS SVG:

bimi.whalensolutions.com is a free web tool that takes a domain name, industry, any image format, and your certificate type (VMC or CMC), then produces a Tiny PS 1.2 SVG and generates realistic mockups showing how the logo will look across Gmail, Yahoo, and Apple Mail on mobile and desktop. The source code is on GitHub under Whalen-Solutions/bimi-preview.

dmarctrust.com/bimi-tiny-ps-converter is another converter mentioned in community discussions.

Fiverr / vector artist: Several people in the r/DMARC community reported spending around $10 on a Fiverr gig search for "Vectorizer" and ordering a compliant SVG directly. The artists who know the spec use Adobe Illustrator and produce files that pass validation the first time. This can be faster than wrestling with converters if your logo is complex.

dmarctrust.com/bimi-record-generator generates the DNS BIMI record once you have your SVG ready and your VMC or CMC certificate in hand.

DNS Record Setup

Once your SVG is validated and your certificate is issued, you publish a BIMI DNS record. The record format looks like this:

``` default._bimi.yourdomain.com IN TXT "v=BIMI1; l=https://yourdomain.com/logo.svg; a=https://yourdomain.com/certificate.pem" ```

The `l` parameter points to your SVG file. The `a` parameter points to your VMC or CMC certificate. Both must be reachable over HTTPS.

One thing many guides skip: validate your DNS setup before publishing the BIMI record. Use a tool like DMARCFlow's DNS record checker to confirm the BIMI record is reachable and correctly formatted. A misconfigured record means no logo display, and the error won't be obvious - it just silently fails.

FAQ

Why does my SVG validate but still fail at the mailbox? Most general SVG validators check for structural validity, not Tiny PS 1.2 profile compliance. Gmail in particular rejects SVGs that include elements or attributes outside the Tiny PS spec, even if the file is technically valid. Always use the BIMI Group's validator specifically.

Is there a free way to get a BIMI logo? Yes, but with limitations. You can create a compliant SVG yourself or use a free converter. However, to display the logo in Gmail (the only major mailbox that shows the checkmark), you need a VMC, which costs money. A CMC is cheaper but only works in Gmail without the checkmark. If you just want the logo to appear in Yahoo or Apple Mail, a CMC or even an unsigned SVG works - but Outlook still won't show it.

Can I use a PNG instead of SVG? No. BIMI requires SVG. The Tiny PS profile is specifically an SVG profile.

My converter says the file is valid. Why doesn't it work? Because most converters don't produce Tiny PS 1.2 compliant output. They produce valid SVG, which is a superset. BIMI requires the subset. Test with the BIMI Group validator specifically.

Microsoft Outlook doesn't support BIMI. Should I even bother?** That depends on your audience. If your emails go primarily to Gmail, Google Workspace, Yahoo, or Apple users, BIMI is worth implementing. If your audience is largely Outlook, you're paying for something your recipients won't see. Know your audience before spending money on VMCs.

The Short Version

BIMI logo requirements are strict and specific: Tiny PS 1.2 SVG, under 32KB, no external dependencies, validated against the BIMI Group's validator before publishing. Most general SVG converters don't produce output that meets this profile. Use a converter that understands the spec, or pay a Fiverr vector artist who does. Get a VMC if you want the Gmail checkmark; accept a CMC if you just want logo display without the checkmark. And validate your DNS setup before going live - a silent failure is the most frustrating kind.

If you want to check your full email authentication setup including BIMI, DKIM, SPF, and DMARC in one place, try DMARCFlow.