When it comes to designing promotional products, it’s important to understand the difference between vector and raster images. Both types of images have their own strengths and weaknesses, but vector images are often considered to be the better choice for promotional products.
What are Vector Images?
Vector images are created using mathematical algorithms and geometric shapes, such as points, lines, and curves. Because they are not made up of pixels, they can be resized and scaled without losing quality. This means that vector images look sharp and crisp no matter the size or resolution.
Vector image file formats include:
- Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG)
- Encapsulated PostScript (EPS)
- Adobe Illustrator Artwork (AI)
- Portable Document Format (PDF)
- Windows Metafile (WMF)
- Enhanced Metafile (EMF)
These are some of the common vector image file formats but there are others as well.
What are Raster Images?
Raster images, on the other hand, are made up of pixels and have a set resolution. When you enlarge a raster image, the pixels become more apparent, making the image appear blurry or pixelated. This is why raster images are not suitable for printing at large sizes.
Raster image file formats include:
- JPEG (.jpg or .jpeg)
- PNG (.png)
- GIF (.gif)
- TIFF (.tif or .tiff)
- BMP (.bmp)
- RAW image files (various file extensions, depending on the camera or device used to capture the image)
These are the most common raster image file formats, but there are others as well.
Why Vector Images are Better for Promotional Products
- Scalability: Vector images can be resized and scaled without losing quality, making them a great choice for printing on promotional products of all sizes. Whether you’re printing a small logo on a pen or a large design on a t-shirt, vector images will look sharp and clear.
- Flexibility: Vector images are flexible and can be edited easily. This means that you can change the color, size, and shape of your design without losing quality. This is especially important for promotional products, as you may want to make changes to your design in the future.
- Print Quality: Vector images are print-friendly, meaning they have a higher resolution and are more suitable for printing. This results in a higher-quality print, with sharper lines and brighter colors.
- File Size: Vector images have a much smaller file size compared to raster images. This is important for promotional products as it makes it easier to upload and share your design.
- Versatility: Vector images can be used for a variety of purposes, from printing on promotional products to creating graphics for your website. This makes them a versatile and flexible choice for your marketing needs.
In conclusion, vector images are the preferred choice for promotional products due to their scalability, flexibility, print quality, smaller file size, and versatility. This makes it the perfect choice for creating high-quality, visually appealing promotional products that will help you build brand awareness and reach new customers. So, when designing your next promotional product, be sure to use vector images to achieve the best results.
