Trademark Name or Trademark Design?

Question

What should I register first: Trademark name or Trademark design? The design looks very much like Trademark name itself, but it's still very important for my business. It's not allowed to register both Trademark name and design in the same application,
and I don't want to spend money on 2 applications right now.

Answer 1

First, it sounds like you don't have a design but actually have stylized lettering (i.e. a particular font or script). If this particular lettering is important to your business identity, then by all means file it. If not and/or you want to be able to change it, then file it in plain text.

Secondly, yes, you can file a name and design/logo on the same application provided that you will be using them together. If that's how they're shown to the public, your customers, etc. then you can file them together. If you want to create a distinctive identity for either one, then file them separately.

Prior to investing your time, money & effort into a name, it is strongly advised that comprehensive research be conducted to ensure that the name you're interested in is truly available.

This entails searching the pending & registered Federal and State trademark files as well as the US National Common-Law files. Then, if clear, you can decide if you would like to file for a Federal or a State trademark.

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!