Vector vs raster is not an abstract design theory question. It’s a production decision. If you choose the wrong one, you don’t just get a slightly worse file—you get blurry prints, rejected jobs, wasted money, or artwork that has to be rebuilt from scratch at the last minute.
So let’s get into it directly.
What vector and raster actually are (without the fluff)
A vector file is built from mathematical paths. Lines, curves, anchor points. Every shape has coordinates and rules that define how it’s drawn. Because of that, vector artwork can scale infinitely. A logo that’s one inch wide can be scaled to ten feet wide and still be perfectly sharp.
A raster file is built from pixels. Tiny square color values arranged in a grid. The file has a fixed resolution. When you scale it up beyond that resolution, the pixels stretch, and the image gets soft or visibly blocky.
That difference—math-based paths versus pixel-based grids—is the entire reason this topic matters for printing.
Why this matters specifically for print
Printing doesn’t forgive low-quality files. Screens hide problems. Print exposes them.
Printers output at high resolutions. Commercial printers typically expect files prepared at 300 DPI at final print size. Large-format printers might accept lower DPI, but that’s a calculated decision, not a guess.
If you send a raster image that doesn’t have enough pixel data for the size it’s being printed, there is no fixing it later. Upscaling software can smooth edges, but it cannot invent real detail. The print will look soft. Text will look fuzzy. Fine lines may break apart.
Vector files avoid this entirely because they don’t rely on resolution.
When vector is the correct choice
Vector should be your default whenever the artwork includes any of the following:
Logos
Text-heavy designs
Line art
Icons
Illustrations with flat colors
Anything that may need to be resized for different outputs
Logos are the biggest one. A logo is not a single-use graphic. It will appear on business cards, websites, signage, packaging, embroidery files, and large-format prints. If a logo only exists as a raster image, it’s already a problem.
Vector files allow printers to:
Scale artwork without quality loss
Change colors cleanly
Separate colors for spot printing
Output crisp edges on vinyl, fabric, and paper
Most professional print workflows are built around vector files for this reason.
Common vector formats include:
AI
EPS
SVG
PDF (when saved correctly)
When raster is the correct choice
Raster files are not “bad.” They are just specific.
Use raster when the artwork includes:
Photographs
Complex gradients
Texture-heavy images
Detailed shading or realism
Photos cannot be vectorized in any meaningful way. They rely on tonal transitions that vectors are not designed to handle.
The key with raster files is resolution at final size. A photo that looks fine on screen may be completely unusable in print.
Common raster formats include:
JPEG
PNG
TIFF
PSD
For print, TIFF and PSD are often preferred because they preserve quality and don’t rely on heavy compression.
Resolution: the most common failure point
Resolution is where most people get this wrong.
A raster image’s resolution is defined by two things:
Pixel dimensions (width × height)
DPI (dots per inch) at print size
Here’s the mistake: people assume DPI can be changed later.
It can’t. DPI is just a label unless you resample the image. The actual quality comes from how many pixels exist.
Example:
An image that is 1500 × 1500 pixels
Printed at 5 inches wide = 300 DPI (acceptable)
Printed at 10 inches wide = 150 DPI (soft)
Printed at 20 inches wide = 75 DPI (unusable)
No setting in Photoshop fixes that.
Vector files do not have this limitation. That’s why printers ask for vector logos even when the rest of the artwork is raster.
Mixed files: most real-world print jobs
Most print jobs are not strictly vector or raster. They’re a combination.
A typical setup:
Vector logo
Vector text
Raster background image or photo
This is normal. The important thing is that each element is used correctly.
Problems happen when:
Text is flattened into a raster image
Logos are embedded as low-res PNGs
Entire designs are exported as JPEGs “because it worked last time”
Once text or logos are rasterized, they inherit all the limitations of raster files. That’s when scaling issues start.
What happens when you choose wrong
Choosing raster when vector is needed leads to:
Pixelated edges
Blurry text
Rejected print files
Extra prepress charges
Complete redesigns under deadline pressure
Choosing vector when raster is needed can also cause issues:
Overly large files
Incorrect gradients
Banding in photo-heavy designs
But the damage from raster misuse is far more common and far more expensive.
File format confusion (and why PDF doesn’t magically fix things)
PDF is not a format type. It’s a container.
A PDF can hold:
Vector data
Raster data
Or both
A low-resolution JPEG inside a PDF is still a low-resolution JPEG. Wrapping it in a PDF does not make it print-ready.
This is a frequent misconception. Printers ask for PDFs because they preserve layout and fonts, not because they upgrade quality.
If the source artwork is wrong, the PDF will be wrong.
Common mistakes people make
Here are the mistakes printers see constantly:
Using web graphics for print
Web images are typically 72 or 96 DPI. They are not intended for print at physical size.Scaling raster logos
Logos pulled from websites are often PNG or JPEG files. They look fine on screen and fall apart in print.Flattening text too early
Once text is rasterized, it loses sharpness and editability.Exporting everything as JPEG
JPEG compression introduces artifacts. These artifacts become visible in print, especially around text and edges.Assuming “high quality” export settings solve everything
Export settings cannot compensate for missing pixel data.
How printers actually think about this
Printers don’t care what software you used. They care about output reliability.
From a print perspective:
Vector = predictable, scalable, clean
Raster = acceptable only when resolution is sufficient
If a file forces a printer to guess, fix, or rebuild artwork, that job becomes slower and more expensive. Sometimes it’s rejected outright.
How to choose correctly, every time
Ask these questions before finalizing a file:
Does this artwork include logos or text?
→ Use vector.Will this artwork be printed at multiple sizes?
→ Use vector for anything reusable.Is this a photograph or texture-based design?
→ Use raster, at correct resolution.Is the final size known?
→ If raster, build at final size at 300 DPI.Is this going to signage, apparel, or vinyl?
→ Vector strongly preferred.
If you’re unsure, assume vector for structural elements and raster only where it’s unavoidable.
What professionals actually deliver
A properly prepared print package usually includes:
Vector logo files (AI, EPS, SVG)
Print-ready PDFs with live vector text
Linked or embedded high-resolution raster images
Color mode set correctly (CMYK or spot colors)
This isn’t overkill. It’s how print workflows stay predictable.
Final reality check
Vector vs raster isn’t a design style choice. It’s a technical decision that affects cost, quality, and turnaround time.
If the artwork needs to be sharp at any size, vector is the correct foundation.
If the artwork relies on photographic detail, raster is unavoidable—but must be handled carefully.
Most print problems don’t come from bad printers. They come from files that were built for screens and pushed into print without adjustment.
Get the file type right first. Everything else gets easier after that.