Get started with Brandreforge

The four steps

1. Install BrandreforgeDownload the installer from the download page, open it and follow the steps. Then restart Illustrator.
2. Open the panelIn Illustrator, choose Window › Extensions › Brandreforge.
3. Activate this MacClick Activate this Mac and approve the code in your browser.
4. Capture your logoSelect your grouped logo, check the brand name and choose Capture selected logo.

Before you start

You need Adobe Illustrator on macOS and a Brandreforge plan or free trial. If you don’t have one yet, choose a plan: every plan starts with a 3-day free trial.

• macOS 12 Monterey or later, on an Apple silicon or Intel Mac.
• Adobe Illustrator 2025 (version 29) or later. Brandreforge has been tested most on Illustrator 30; if something looks wrong on another version, email support@brandreforge.com.
• Windows isn’t supported.

Install Brandreforge

Save your work in Illustrator first. Download the installer from the download page, open it and follow the steps; it asks for your Mac’s password. Then quit Illustrator completely (Cmd+Q) and open it again.

Open the panel

In Illustrator, choose Window › Extensions › Brandreforge.

Until this Mac is activated, the panel shows Activate Brandreforge in place of the modules.

Activate this Mac

Click Activate this Mac. Your browser opens brandreforge.com/activate with a short code. Check it matches the code in the panel, then click Approve. The panel unlocks within seconds.

You do this once per Mac. The full steps, and what to do if the browser doesn’t open, are in Activate a Mac.

Capture your first logo

1. Select the logoSelect the whole logo with the Selection tool (V). It must be one group or compound path made of vector paths. If it isn’t, the message offers the fix, such as grouping it for you.
2. Name the brandCheck the brand name in the Capture your logo card. It’s used in file names, generated pages and exports.
3. Capture itChoose Capture selected logo. Brandreforge saves a tracked copy linked to this document.
4. Save the documentPress Cmd+S so the link to the captured logo is kept.

Presentations, Guidelines and Files now use the captured logo. Add marks, wordmarks, fonts and colours in Brand assets.

Where to go next

• Logo grids: construction lines and clearspace from your own paths.
• Presentations: client decks in eight styles.
• Logo files: the full delivery package in one pass.
• Watch the walkthroughs for every module, step by step.