Vector files and raster files. Where are they used?

When making logos and other designs, the client can receive image files in raster or vector format, as required. In the case of logos, we always provide both. While raster format files such as JPG and PNG are familiar to most, vector files may be seen by many for the first time. Let’s see what makes them different and where they are used.

What is a raster file?

The raster file is the most common of the two. A raster means that an image file consists of a fixed number of predefined pixels. The larger the size of the image, for example 1920×1080 in video format, the more pixels there are in the image. In addition, there is also the DPI (Dots per Inch), which determines the number of dots in a raster image when printed. In the print media, 300 DPI files are generally preferred. For example, all photos in raster format. The most common raster file types are JPG, PNG, GIF, WEBP, HEIC etc.. Video files also use raster frames.

If you have a raster image that you want to stretch to a much larger size, details may become blurred and the image may be distorted. This often happens in situations where you need to use a photo you have received or downloaded from the web in a presentation or document, but when you open the file the size of the image on screen is very small. If you stretch the image to a larger size, you will immediately see that the quality is much worse. In the case of a photo, this is unavoidable and should be corrected by looking for a higher resolution version of the same image. It is also possible to use a variety of AI-based tools that try to improve the quality of a stretched photo, but they don’t always work perfectly.

Where are raster files used?

As mentioned, photos are the most common use. All images that contain a great deal of intricate detail, including most digital drawings and paintings and 3D renderings, are generally in raster format. Raster format is also used by the majority of websites to display various profile pictures and posts, including logos. This is because raster images can be opened, and generally saved and edited, on any device. If you have a raster logo file that has lost quality over time due to multiple uploads and resizing, you should save a fresh version of the vector file if possible.

Which programs open and create raster files?

The short answer is that with all the programmes that support images. Built-in gallery apps on both computers and phones will work for viewing and easier editing and annotation. This is true for Windows, Mac, Android and Apple devices. If you draw a picture with MS Paint, the files always come out in raster format. The most common pixel-based tools for editing, creating and customizing raster images include Adobe Photoshop, Affinity Photo, Gimp and also the free version of the web-based Canva .

What is a vector file?

A vector file, unlike a raster file, does not consist of a fixed number of pixels, but of coordinates that form fixed shapes. A vector file can be resized indefinitely without affecting its quality. The same file can be used to print a logo on a pen as well as on a ten-metre banner. Although the vector file is still displayed on the screen in pixels, its scalability means it is always sharp. The most common vector file types include AI, SVG and EPS. Vector files are also supported in PDF, which is fairly universal. However, it is worth noting that not every PDF is a vector file, as raster files can also be included. The PDF files we include with our logos are always 100% vector.

Where are vector files used?

Vector files can be used in a very versatile way, both digitally and in print. On web pages, vector files are often used to display, for example, the website logo and various illustrations and icons. This is because, firstly, vector files are of higher quality and open up the possibility to change the colour of the web design using code, but they are also smaller in size and contribute to faster loading of the web page. Using vector images in the kilobyte range can significantly speed up the first load of a web page and determine whether a visitor will close a slow page and go to a competitor or stay on your page. In case your logo does not have a vector file, we can help you vectorize your logo. You can find more information about our vectorization service here.

Vector files are also used in print precisely because of their scalability. It is easy for designers to use a vector file in exactly the right size and colour for a sharp and beautiful final print file.

Which programs can open and create vector files?

The formats of vector files sometimes determine which program can open them. PDF and SVG files are generally universal. Vector files in PDF format can be opened in, for example, Adobe Acrobat or a web browser. SVG files can also be viewed in a web browser. However, you cannot edit them yourself in this way. In order to open an AI or EPS file and to make changes to SVG and PDF vector files, special vector graphics programs are required. Examples include Adobe Illustrator, Affinity Designer, CorelDRAW, and the free options Inkscape and the web-based Figma.

We use the Affinity Designer program, which supports opening Adobe Illustrator file formats as well as those of other programs. With the logos we make, we include vector files in SVG and PDF formats. These formats have been chosen because they are openable in all the most common vector graphics programs, and therefore you are not limited in your ability to open and edit your logo files later.

If you’re interested in trying your hand at vector graphics yourself, the free Figma and Inkscape are a great first steps. If you need to do more complex or very specific tasks, the paid programmes offer free trial periods. This is the case, for example, with Adobe and Affinity, which is part of Canva. If you’re more interested, we recommend Affinity because, unlike Adobe, it’s not based on a monthly fee.