Getting ready to print? Before you submit your files, it is worth knowing the difference between raster vs vector. It is one of the most common sources of delays and unexpected costs in the print process.
For more money saving tips, check out our guide to saving time and money on your next print job.
What is a raster image?
Raster images are made of pixels, tiny coloured squares arranged in a grid. Photos are raster. The problem with pixels is that they have a fixed size. Stretch them too big and they blur. A logo that looks fine on your phone screen can fall apart completely when printed at full size.
Common raster file types: JPG, PNG, TIFF.
What is a vector image?
Vector images are made of mathematical paths and shapes, not pixels. They have no fixed size. Scale a vector logo from a business card to a billboard and it stays perfectly sharp every time. This is why vectors are the standard for logos and print graphics.
Common vector file types: AI, EPS, SVG, and vector-based PDF.
Raster vs vector: which file should I send?
For logos and graphics, always send a vector file. For photos, a high resolution JPG or TIFF works fine.
If you only have a JPG of your logo, that is worth fixing before your next print job. A graphic designer can usually recreate it as a vector file quickly and affordably.
The simplest rule
If it came from a camera or your phone, it is raster. If a designer built it in Illustrator, it is probably vector. No designer? If you pulled your logo from a website, an old email, or a Word document, there is a good chance it is a JPG and not print-ready.
When in doubt, ask before you submit. Catching a file issue early is always easier than fixing it after the fact.
At Bond Reproductions, every job goes through our prepress department before anything goes to press. It is a quality control step where we review and prepare your files to make sure what you see is exactly what you get. If something is off, we catch it before it becomes a costly mistake. We also offer production design services — so if you do not have the right file, get in touch and we will let you know what is possible.
FAQs
Can I just increase the resolution of my JPG to make it print-ready? Unfortunately no. Increasing the resolution of a raster file in Photoshop or on your phone just stretches the existing pixels — it does not add new information. The result is still a blurry image, just a larger one. The only real fix is a vector file.
My logo looks sharp on my screen. Why would it look blurry in print? Screens display images at 72 DPI (dots per inch), which is relatively low resolution. Print requires at least 300 DPI. A file that looks perfectly fine on screen often does not have enough detail to hold up in print, especially at larger sizes.
I got my logo designed online using a free tool. Do I have a vector file? It depends on the tool. Many free logo makers and template platforms only export JPG or PNG files, which are raster. Some do offer vector exports but may charge extra for them. Check your original download or log back in to see what file formats are available.
