Raster and vector are the two ways a computer stores an image, and it comes down to pixels versus maths. A raster image is a grid of coloured pixels, so it loses quality once you scale it up. A vector image is built from mathematical paths, so it resizes cleanly to any size.
Get this mixed up, and you end up with a pixelated logo or a file your printer cannot open. Below, we explain both formats, show you how to pick the right one for your project, and cover what this means for your branded merchandise artwork.
What Is a Raster Image?
A raster image is built from a grid of pixels, and that’s exactly why it captures photographic detail and natural colour so well. It’s the right call for photography, product shots, or anything that needs realistic shading.
The trade-off shows up the moment you enlarge it past its original size. The pixels stretch, the edges blur, and there’s no way to recover the detail you’ve lost.
What Is a Vector Image?
A vector image is built from mathematical paths rather than pixels, and that’s exactly why it scales to any size without losing sharpness. It’s the right call for logos, icons, larger branding areas and anything that needs to print at more than one size.
The trade-off runs the other way. A vector file can’t capture the subtle shading a camera does, so it’s never the right choice for a photograph.
Raster vs Vector: Key Differences at a Glance
The core difference is how each format is built. A raster image is a grid of pixels, so its quality is tied to resolution. A vector image is a set of mathematical paths, so its quality holds at any size. That one distinction drives almost everything else in the table below.
| Factor | Raster | Vector |
|---|---|---|
| Built from | Grid of pixels | Mathematical paths and points |
| Resolution | Loses quality when enlarged | Scales to any size without blurring |
| Best for | Photos, gradients, detailed imagery | Logos, line art, typography |
| Typical file types | JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, BMP | AI, EPS, SVG, PDF |
| File size | Larger at high resolution | Generally smaller, regardless of size |
| Common editors | Photoshop, GIMP, Affinity Photo | Illustrator, Inkscape, Affinity Designer |
Neither format beats the other across the board. A product photo doesn’t need to scale to a billboard, and a logo doesn’t need to capture skin tones or shadow detail. They’re built to do different jobs.
How to Choose the Right Format for Your Project
- A logo for promotional products: go with vector, so it scales cleanly from a few centimetres to a few metres without anyone redrawing it.
- A product photo for your website or catalogue: go with raster, since the camera already captured the detail you need.
- A scanned signature or stamp: start with raster, though it’s worth converting to vector if you need to resize it often.
Why Vector Files Matter for Branded Merchandise Artwork
If you’re submitting a logo for custom branded merchandise, vector is almost always the format your supplier needs. Embroidery, screen printing, sublimation, heat transfer and laser engraving all rely on clean paths and shapes, not a fixed grid of pixels.
We say this because our art team reviews logo files for merchandise orders every day, and raster files are the most common reason an order needs a redraw before it goes into production.
Here’s why each branding method depends on it:
- Embroidery: digitising turns your logo into a stitch file, and that process starts from clean vector paths rather than a blurry raster scan.
- Screen printing: needs separated colours and crisp edges, which vector files deliver and raster files usually can’t.
- Sublimation: resizes your design across dozens of product shapes, so a path-based file keeps every edge sharp no matter the size.
- Laser engraving: follows the exact outline in your file, so vector paths engrave a crisp line where a raster file can blur or show a stepped edge.
| Experts observation: We regularly receive logo files saved straight off a website, which makes them raster, usually a JPG or PNG. Our art team can often redraw a simple logo as vector, but starting with a vector file saves a step and keeps your branding consistent across every product. |
Tools for Creating and Editing Raster and Vector Files
Most image editors are built around one format or the other. Here’s a quick reference for the most common tools and the file types each one supports.
| Tool | Format | Best for | Common file types |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe Photoshop | Raster | Photo editing and detailed retouching | PSD, JPEG, PNG, TIFF, GIF |
| GIMP | Raster | Free, open-source alternative to Photoshop | PNG, JPEG, TIFF, PSD |
| Affinity Photo | Raster | Budget-friendly photo editing | PSD, TIFF, JPEG, PNG |
| Canva | Mostly raster | Quick social and marketing graphics | JPG, PNG, limited SVG |
| Adobe Illustrator | Vector | Logo design, typography, line art | AI, EPS, SVG, PDF |
| Inkscape | Vector | Free, open-source alternative to Illustrator | SVG, PDF, EPS |
| Affinity Designer | Vector | Budget-friendly vector design | SVG, PDF, EPS |
| CorelDRAW | Vector | Vector design and page layout | CDR, SVG, PDF, AI |
If you only have a raster logo and need a vector version, most of these tools include a trace or vectorise feature. A simple, flat-colour logo usually converts cleanly. A detailed illustration with gradients rarely does, since the software has to guess at edges that were never really there.
Raster or Vector? Make the Right Call Before You Submit Your Artwork
If your file needs to scale, whether that’s a logo moving from a business card, any promotional product, or a design moving from a screen to a stitched cap, vector is the safer choice. If you’re working with a photo or anything with natural colour and texture, raster is exactly right.
Get in touch with Payless Promotion’s team to start your quote. For custom branded merchandise specifically, send vector files wherever you can. It keeps your logo sharp across every product size and decoration method, and it saves a back-and-forth with your supplier before your order goes into production.
Still Have Questions About Raster and Vector Files?
Is a PNG a raster or vector file?
PNG is a raster format, built from pixels rather than paths. It’s great for web graphics and images with transparency, but it won’t scale up as cleanly as a true vector file.
Is a PDF always a vector file?
It depends on how it was created. A PDF exported from a vector program like Illustrator stays vector, while a PDF made from a scan or photo is raster.
Can a JPEG be turned into a vector file?
Yes, through a process called vectorising or tracing. Simple, flat logos convert cleanly, but detailed photos rarely do.
Is Photoshop vector-based?
No, Photoshop is built around raster editing. It has some basic vector tools, like shape layers, but it isn’t a true vector design program.
Is Illustrator a raster or vector?
Illustrator is vector-based. It’s built for paths, shapes and typography rather than pixel editing.
Do you accept JPG or PNG logo files for branded merchandise orders?
Yes, we can work with JPG or PNG files. We’ll usually need to redraw simple logos as vector first, so sending a vector file from the start speeds up your order.
Will converting my logo from raster to vector change how it looks?
A clean, simple logo usually traces accurately. Fine gradients or photographic detail can be lost, and we’ll flag it upfront if a redraw is the better option.
