What is a Vector File?
You need something printed and send the printing company your logo. Maybe you just ask them to grab it off your website ?
The printer’s response, “please email me the vector file of your logo”.
Vector file ? What’s that, you’re probably thinking ?To put it simply, vector is coordinates. When printing, a vector file format is always preferred because the design can be scaled and it will not get blurry. These coordinates in the vector image can be condensed and expanded without the logo design losing it’s quality. This is especially helpful if you are printing your logo on a large poster or banner. Vector files are usually very small in size and easier to email.
Vector File Extension
If a graphic designer created your logo, check to see if they have any vector files of your brand. The vector extension of choice is either AI or EPS. Adobe Illustrator is the program used to create most vector graphics and when saving them it’s an AI file. An EPS file can also be saved from Adobe Illustrator. PDFs may also be in vector format, if they are created in Illustrator and saved properly.
If your logo is unavailable in vector format, there are limited options. You can try learning how to draw in Illustrator, find a graphic designer to recreate your logo, or ask the printing company to vectorize your logo. Make sure if your logo contains text that the text is converted to outline so the printer doesn’t need to search for fonts. Below is an example of text that can be edited, and text converted to outline.
Raster vs Vector Art
Wait, what now ? You were just learning about vector and now it’s raster time ? Where a vector format is made up of coordinates, raster files contain pixels. Pixels are square units of colors displayed on video displays. Just about all the images you view online are raster.
Raster File Extensions
JPG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, and BMP are examples of raster formats. JPG and PNG are similar, with PNG files being capable of having transparent backgrounds. Transparent backgrounds can be very helpful in web design. A GIF is more limited, being made up of up to 256 colors. GIFS are ideal if you need a smaller file size and/or looking for web safe colors. Photographs have many colors and shades so they do not look good as GIFs. With TIFF and BMP files there is no compression which allow images to have very high quality, but also very large file sizes.
Raster images can be printed, but must be set to at least 300 dpi (Dots Per Inch). You can shrink pixels, but you can not stretch them or they will get blurry (pixelated). Printing companies like vector files because they can be small in file size compared to raster files which can be huge, especially if you are printing a huge sign. If you want to print a photograph then you will have to send the printer a raster image such as a JPG or TIFF. Raster is ideal for web graphics, which only need to be at 72dpi (Dots Per Inch).
JPG to Vector
It is possible to convert your JPG to vector. A graphic designer can take the JPG you provide and trace it in Adobe Illustrator (or another vector program). If the JPG is not too complicated, it’s possible they can use the image trace feature in the program. This saves a lot of time, and can be created quicker. You may also search for apps online that may be able to convert raster JPGS (or PNGS) to vector.
White the raster format is great for photographs, vector images are more flexible. Whenever starting a new brand I recommend creating the logo in a vector format. In the long run it will save you time and money, and keep your design at the highest quality no matter the size. You may also export vector files easily into jpgs and pngs. After a logo design is approved by the client, I usually email them AI, EPS, JPG, PDF, and PNG files. I also keep one master AI file with text not converted to outline in case they come back with changes in the future.
File Extension Recap
AI: What is a vector file ? Well, Adobe Illustrator makes them. Adobe Illustrator files are vector files that can only be created or edited in Illustrator. They can remain editable so you can open them back up in Illustrator and edit any text or other elements. If you want 100% control of editing text make sure to not convert text to outline. AI files support transparent backgrounds. Great for printing.
EPS: Encapsulated PostScript files can contain vector and/or raster images. An EPS file can be reopened and edited. Many non-vector programs such as Photoshop can also save as EPS. Supports transparent backgrounds and excellent for printing.
SVG: Scalable Vector Graphics is a vector image format for graphics with support for animation. Capable of transparent backgrounds and good for web.
PDF: Portable Document Format is a vector or raster format that is a fixed-layout flat document including the text, fonts, and other information needed to display it. Supports transparent backgrounds. Great for printing.
PSD: Adobe Photoshop files are raster with limited vector capabilities. PSD files can be edited as long as the layers in the file are not flattened and the text isn’t rasterized. Supports transparent backgrounds. Good for printing and web when exported properly.
BMP: Bitmap files are a raster graphics image file used to store digital images, independently of the display device. Does not support transparent backgrounds. Good for web.
GIF: Graphics Interchange Format files are raster images made of up to 256 colors. GIFs may also be used in animations. These palette limitations make GIF less suitable for reproducing photographs and other images with gradients, but it is good for web images. Supports transparent backgrounds.
JPG or JPEG: Joint Photographic Experts Group files are raster images with compression. JPGs can be optimized, when saving them out of Photoshop, to find the perfect balance of small file size and high quality. Compression can be adjusted. JPGs do not support transparent backgrounds. Great for web and good for printing if image is 300dpi or higher.
PNG: Portable Network Graphics are a raster file format that supports lossless compression. PNGs were created as an improved replacement for GIFs. The main difference between a PNG and JPG is that a PNG can have a transparent background. PNGs also offer higher quality and reduced file size. Excellent for web and ok for printing at times.
TIFF: Tagged Image File Format are raster images, popular among photographers. It has no loss in quality and therefore is primarily used for printing. Supports transparent backgrounds.
FAQs
What is the main difference between a vector and a raster file?
The primary difference is how they are constructed. Vector files use mathematical equations, which allows them to be resized infinitely without losing quality. Raster files (like JPEGs and PNGs) are made of a fixed grid of colored pixels, which causes them to become blurry and pixelated when enlarged beyond their original size.
Why do printers always ask for a vector file?
Printers require vector files for several key reasons. First, their scalability ensures that a logo or design will remain perfectly sharp whether printed on a small business card or a large windscreen. Second, vector files allow for precise color control needed for the CMYK printing process. Finally, they make it easy for the printer to make small adjustments to size or layout without degrading the image quality.
How can I tell if a file is a vector?
There are two simple methods. First, check the file extension; common vector formats include.ai,.eps, and.svg. A.pdf can also be a vector, but isn't always. The second method is a zoom test: open the image and zoom in to 200% or more. If the edges remain sharp and clear, it is a vector file. If it becomes blurry and you can see the individual pixels, it is a raster file.
Why don't vector files get blurry when enlarged?
Vector files don't get blurry because they are not composed of pixels. They are built from mathematical instructions that tell the computer where to draw points, lines, and curves. When you scale a vector image, the software simply recalculates these formulas to draw the image at the new size, maintaining perfect sharpness and clarity regardless of the dimensions.
How do I convert a JPG or PNG to a vector file?
You can convert a raster file like a JPG or PNG to a vector using two main approaches. The traditional method is to have a graphic designer manually trace the image in a vector software program like Adobe Illustrator. A more modern and automated approach is to use an AI-powered online tool, which can analyze the pixels of your image and convert them into scalable vector shapes in formats like SVG or PDF.
How do I create a vector file of my logo?
To create a vector logo, you can use vector design software such as Adobe Illustrator, Affinity Designer, or the free tool Inkscape to draw the logo using shape and pen tools. If you have an existing logo in a raster format (like a PNG), you can use the software's tracing functions or an online converter to vectorize it. For those without design experience, AI-powered logo makers can also generate vector logos from a text description.
What does it mean to "create outlines" for text in a vector file?
"Creating outlines" is the process of converting editable text (a font) into fixed vector shapes. This is a crucial step before sending a file to a printer. It ensures that the text appears exactly as designed, preventing issues that could arise if the printer does not have that specific font installed on their computer.
Can I turn a photo into a vector?
Yes, you can convert a photo into a vector format, but the result will be an illustration rather than a realistic photograph. The process, known as vectorizing or tracing, simplifies the photo's complex details and colors into a collection of shapes and lines. This can create a stylized artistic effect but will cause a loss of photographic detail.
What are the most common vector file extensions?
The most common file extensions for vector graphics are.ai (Adobe Illustrator),.eps (Encapsulated PostScript),.svg (Scalable Vector Graphics), and.pdf (Portable Document Format).
What software is used to create and edit vector files?
The industry standard for creating and editing vector files is Adobe Illustrator. However, there are many powerful alternatives, including Affinity Designer and CorelDRAW for professional users, and Inkscape, which is a popular free, open-source option.
What is the best vector file format for printing?
For professional printing, EPS (Encapsulated PostScript) is a long-standing and reliable format due to its high quality and broad compatibility with commercial printing equipment. A high-resolution PDF saved from a vector program is also an excellent and widely accepted choice for printing.
What is the best vector file format for a website?
The best and most common vector format for websites is SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics). SVGs are ideal for web use because they have small file sizes, scale perfectly for all screen resolutions (including retina displays), and are written in XML, which means any text they contain can be read by search engines, providing an SEO benefit.
What is the difference between AI, EPS, and SVG files?
These are all vector formats, but they have different primary uses.
AI (Adobe Illustrator): This is the native file format for Adobe Illustrator. It's best for editing, as it preserves all layers and information from the design process.
EPS (Encapsulated PostScript): This is an older, standard format used for high-resolution printing. It is highly compatible with professional printers and other design software.
SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics): This is the modern standard for web graphics. It is lightweight, scalable, and can be manipulated with code (CSS and JavaScript), making it perfect for responsive web design.
What is an EPS file and is it still used?
An EPS (Encapsulated PostScript) file is a vector format developed by Adobe for including graphics in high-quality print documents. While it is a legacy technology, it is still actively used in many professional printing workflows because of its backward compatibility with older printing machines and its reliability as a universal format.
Why is my vector file size so large and how can I reduce it?
The size of a vector file is directly related to its complexity, specifically, the number of objects, paths, and anchor points it contains. A file can become large if it has overly intricate details or too many anchor points. To reduce the size, you can use a "simplify path" function in your design software to remove redundant points without noticeably altering the shape.
Can I use a vector file on a website?
Absolutely. Vector files in the SVG format are ideal for use on websites. They are used for logos, icons, and other graphics that need to look sharp on all devices and screen sizes. SVGs load quickly due to their small file size and offer SEO benefits because their text is readable by search engines.
Can a vector file contain a raster image?
Yes, it is possible to place or embed a raster image (like a JPG) inside a vector file (like an AI or PDF). However, it is important to know that only the vector elements in the file will be scalable. The embedded raster image will still be made of pixels and will become blurry if you try to enlarge the entire file beyond the raster image's original resolution.
