Vector vs Raster: Which One for Print?
By Long Island Custom Printing · Huntington, NY · Updated May 2026
Vector for logos, raster for photos. The two graphic types, what each is good at, and the file formats you'll see.
TL;DR
Use vector for logos, icons, text, and flat illustrations — it scales infinitely with no quality loss. Common vector formats: AI, EPS, SVG, and vector PDF. Use raster for photographs and detailed shaded artwork — it has a fixed pixel count and must be at 300 DPI at final print size. Common raster formats: JPG, PNG, TIFF, and PSD. The single biggest print-quality upgrade most files need is replacing a low-res raster logo with the original vector version.
What is the difference?
A vector graphic is a set of mathematical instructions: "draw a line from this point to that point, curve through here, fill the enclosed shape with this color." The file stores the instructions, not pixels. When you scale a vector, the math recalculates at the new size and the result is just as sharp.
A raster graphic is a grid of pixels, each one storing a single color value. The file stores the grid. When you scale a raster up past its native size, the software has to invent the new pixels through interpolation — guessing what colors should fill the gaps. The result is softer, sometimes visibly pixelated.
The two are not interchangeable. Vector cannot store photographic detail (millions of unique color values per square inch). Raster cannot scale without quality loss. They solve different problems.
Why this matters for print
Logos in print get used at wildly different sizes. The same logo might appear at 0.5 inches on a business card and 36 inches on a yard sign. If the logo is a 600-pixel PNG, it prints clean at 2 inches and pixelated at 6 inches and beyond. If the logo is vector (AI or EPS), it prints clean at any size, on any product, forever.
The most common print quality issue from logos is using a low-res raster version of a logo that has a vector original sitting in someone's Dropbox. The vector version is the master. Use it, or ask the designer for it.
For photographs, vector is not an option. Print photos must be high-resolution raster — see the 300 DPI guide for the resolution math.
When to use each
| Use case | Vector or raster? | Preferred format |
|---|---|---|
| Company logo | Vector | AI, EPS, or SVG |
| Icon set | Vector | SVG or AI |
| Headshot | Raster | High-res JPG or TIFF |
| Product photo | Raster | High-res JPG or TIFF |
| Map / diagram | Vector | AI or EPS |
| Text / type | Vector | Outlined in AI/InDesign, or embedded in PDF |
| Background texture/pattern | Either | Vector if geometric; high-res raster if photographic |
| Watercolor or hand illustration | Raster (usually) | High-res TIFF or PSD |
How to use vector and raster correctly
1. Ask your designer for vector source files
Every logo created in Illustrator has a vector source. Ask for the AI, EPS, or SVG. If they only have the JPG, the logo was outsourced and the vector lives elsewhere — request it from the brand owner.
2. Place vector files directly into your design app
In InDesign or Illustrator: File > Place > select the AI/EPS/SVG. The vector data preserves through PDF export. In Canva, upload the SVG — Canva keeps SVGs as vector internally.
3. Don't convert vector to raster without reason
Saving a vector logo as a 500-pixel PNG to "make it easier to use" throws away the scaling advantage. Keep the vector master; export raster versions only when needed for specific destinations.
4. For photos, source the original high-res
A phone photo straight off the device is 4000+ pixels wide — plenty for most print sizes. A photo pulled from Instagram is 1080 pixels wide — barely enough for a 3.5-inch print. Always go to the source.
5. Outline text before exporting (vector text technique)
Illustrator: select all type > Type > Create Outlines. Converts text to vector shapes so no font is needed at the press. Done after design is finalized — you cannot edit the text after outlining.
Common mistakes
- Using a 200-pixel logo on a yard sign. The same logo file that looks fine on Facebook will pixelate hard at sign size. Get the vector.
- Saving a vector AI as JPG to "share it" with a print shop. Send the AI or EPS or a vector PDF. JPG flattens the vector to pixels.
- Image Trace as a fix-everything. Trace works for simple flat logos. It garbles photos, gradients, and anti-aliased type. Test before committing.
- Confusing PDF with vector. PDF is a container. A PDF can contain vector or raster (or both). A PDF made by saving a JPG is still raster inside.
FAQs
What is the difference between vector and raster?
Vector graphics are made of mathematical paths (points and curves) — they scale to any size with no quality loss. Raster graphics (also called bitmap) are made of pixels — they have a fixed resolution and pixelate when enlarged past their native size. Logos and illustrations are usually vector. Photos are always raster.
What file formats are vector?
AI (Adobe Illustrator), EPS (Encapsulated PostScript), SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics), and PDF can all be vector formats. PDFs can contain both vector and raster content. The format alone does not guarantee the content is vector — a PDF of a JPG is still raster inside.
What file formats are raster?
JPG, PNG, TIFF, GIF, BMP, and PSD (Photoshop) are raster formats. PSD can contain vector layers but the saved file ultimately rasterizes for output. Photos straight from a camera are always raster.
Why does my logo need to be vector?
A vector logo prints at any size — from a business card to a billboard — with the same edge sharpness. A raster logo only prints clean up to its pixel size at 300 DPI. A 300-pixel-wide raster logo prints clean at 1 inch but pixelates if used at 4 inches or larger.
Can I convert a JPG to vector?
Sometimes, with limitations. Illustrator's Image Trace can convert simple raster logos to vector paths, but the result depends on the source image quality. Complex photos or anti-aliased text rarely trace well. The reliable fix is asking the original designer for the vector source file (AI or EPS).
Should photos be vector?
No. Photos are inherently raster — they record millions of color values per pixel from a sensor. They cannot be vector without losing all photographic detail. Photos for print should be high-resolution raster files at 300 DPI at final print size.
Related guides
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