Raster vs. Vector: What's the Difference?
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| Feature | Raster Graphics | Vector Graphics |
|---|---|---|
| File Type | .JPG, .PNG, .GIF, .PSD, .TIFF | .SVG, .AI, .EPS, .PDF (when saved as vector) |
| Made Of | Pixels (tiny squares) | Mathematical paths and curves |
| Scalability | Loses quality when enlarged | Infinitely scalable without losing quality |
| File Size | Often large (especially HD) | Usually smaller |
| Best For | Photos, digital paintings, complex textures | Logos, icons, fonts, illustrations |
| Editing Tools | Photoshop, GIMP, Procreate | Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW, Inkscape |
| Print Quality | May pixelate if not high-res | Always sharp at any size |
📷 What Is a Raster Image?
Raster images are made of millions of pixels (tiny dots).
Think of a digital photo — if you zoom in far enough, you’ll see squares.
🧠 Example:
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A selfie
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A photo of your product
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A digital painting or texture
👎 Con: Can become blurry or pixelated when stretched
👍 Pro: Perfect for photorealism, textures, and detailed shading
✏️ What Is a Vector Image?
Vectors use mathematical formulas to draw shapes like lines, circles, and curves.
They’re ideal for designs that need to stay crisp at any size.
🧠 Example:
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A company logo
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Icon for an app
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Font or typography
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Shirt or patch design
👎 Con: Not good for detailed photos
👍 Pro: Perfect for printing, logos, and screen printing
🧵 Real-World Uses
| Use Case | Best Format |
|---|---|
| Logo Design | Vector (SVG, AI) |
| T-Shirt Printing | Vector (clean edges, sharp lines) |
| Digital Painting | Raster (Photoshop, Procreate) |
| Social Media Graphics | Both (depends on style) |
| Embroidery Files | Vector preferred |
| Web Images | Raster (PNG, JPG), but vector for icons/logos |
🎨 Visual Example
Raster Logo (JPG/PNG):
✔️ Easy to use online
❌ Blurry when printed large
❌ Harder to edit cleanly
Vector Logo (AI/SVG):
✔️ Can be resized for a billboard or business card
✔️ Editable colors, lines, and fonts
✔️ Essential for professional branding and merch
💡 Pro Tip:
Want to turn a raster image into a vector?
Use:
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Adobe Illustrator's "Image Trace"
-
Inkscape's "Trace Bitmap"
-
Or hire a vectorization service (especially for logos or embroidery)
Conclusion
| When to Use Raster | When to Use Vector |
|---|---|
| Photographs, detailed art | Logos, icons, scalable graphics |
| Web images, textures | T-shirt prints, embroidery, signage |
| Social posts with shading | Branding assets that need resizing |