Vector vs Raster Images: Which File Type Should You Send to a Printer?

Use vector artwork for logos, icons, line graphics and other elements that may need to scale cleanly. Use raster images for photographs and pixel-based artwork, but make sure those images contain enough resolution at the final printed size. A professional print file can contain both.

A logo that looks sharp on a website can turn blurry when placed across a banner.

A photograph cannot simply be converted into a vector logo.

A PDF is not automatically vector.

And changing a JPEG filename to another extension does not change the underlying artwork.

These problems all come back to one fundamental distinction in graphic design:

vector artwork vs raster artwork.

Understanding the difference helps businesses send cleaner logo files, choose better images and avoid unnecessary pixelation when artwork moves from a small digital layout to professional printing.

Pryntco repeatedly recommends using original vector logos where possible across its current artwork and product-design guidance. The live FAQ also recommends approximately 300 dpi at final printed size for raster photographs and images. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

1. What Is Vector Artwork?

Vector artwork is created from mathematically defined shapes, lines, curves and points.

Because the artwork is not tied to one fixed grid of pixels, it can usually be enlarged without developing the blocky edges associated with low-resolution raster images.

Common vector uses include:

• Logos
• Icons
• Line illustrations
• Typography
• Simple brand graphics

2. What Is Raster Artwork?

Raster artwork is built from a grid of pixels.

Raster files are especially useful for:

• Photographs
• Painted digital artwork
• Complex textures
• Pixel-based image editing

Each raster file contains a fixed amount of pixel information.

3. What Is the Main Difference Between Vector and Raster?

Vector graphics scale mathematically.

Raster graphics scale by enlarging or shrinking pixels.

4. What Types of Graphics Should Be Vector?

Vector is usually the strongest source format for:

• Company logos
• Simple icons
• Geometric illustrations
• Text-based marks
• Line drawings

These elements often need to appear at many different printed sizes.

5. What Types of Images Should Be Raster?

Raster is appropriate for images that contain complex continuous detail.

Examples include:

• Portrait photography
• Product photographs
• Landscapes
• Textures
• Detailed digital painting

Trying to rebuild every photograph as vector artwork is unnecessary and impractical.

6. Can One Print File Contain Both Vector and Raster Artwork?

Yes.

A professional flyer might contain:

• Vector logo
• Vector text
• Vector icons
• Raster photographs

This is completely normal.

7. Why Should a Logo Usually Be Vector?

A logo may appear on:

• Business card
• Letterhead
• Poster
• Banner
• Window graphic
• Trade-show display

Vector artwork can move across those sizes without relying on a small fixed pixel grid.

8. Why Are Photos Usually Raster?

A photograph contains millions of subtle changes in:

• Colour
• Light
• Texture
• Detail

Pixels represent this information efficiently.

Photographs are therefore normally handled as high-resolution raster images.

9. What Does “Scalable” Mean?

Scalable means artwork can be enlarged or reduced while maintaining its intended edge quality.

Vector artwork is highly scalable because the software recalculates the shapes at the new size.

A small raster logo does not work the same way.

10. Why Does Raster Artwork Pixelate?

A raster image contains a fixed number of pixels.

When enlarged, those same pixels cover more physical space.

Eventually, the viewer can begin to see:

• Blocky edges
• Jagged curves
• Soft details

11. How Does Image Resolution Affect Raster Artwork?

Resolution determines how much raster detail is available at the final printed size.

Pryntco’s FAQ currently recommends approximately 300 dpi at final printed size for many raster photographs and images.

12. Is 300 DPI Relevant to Vector Artwork?

Not in the same way.

A vector logo is defined by shapes rather than a fixed pixel grid.

The 300-dpi discussion applies primarily to raster image content.

13. Does Vector Artwork Have a DPI?

Pure vector elements do not depend on raster image resolution in the same way photographs do.

However, a vector document can still contain embedded raster photographs.

Those raster elements still need sufficient resolution.

14. Is a PDF Always Vector?

No.

A PDF can contain:

• Vector text
• Vector logos
• Raster photographs
• Raster screenshots
• A mixture of all of them

Saving a low-resolution JPEG inside a PDF does not make the image vector.

15. Is an SVG a Vector File?

SVG is commonly used as a vector format in digital design.

However, a particular print-ordering system may have its own accepted upload formats.

Use the printer’s requested production format rather than assuming every source file should be uploaded directly.

16. Is a JPEG a Raster File?

Yes.

JPEG files are pixel-based and commonly used for photographs.

They can work well for print when the file:

• Has sufficient resolution
• Has not been excessively compressed
• Is used at an appropriate size

17. Is a PNG a Raster File?

PNG is normally raster-based.

A PNG logo may look clean on a website but still have limited pixel dimensions.

Do not assume transparency or sharp screen appearance means the file can be enlarged indefinitely.

18. Is a TIFF a Raster File?

TIFF is commonly used for high-quality raster image workflows.

Like other raster formats, its print quality still depends on:

• Pixel dimensions
• Compression
• Final size

19. Why Are Screenshots Bad Logo Files?

A screenshot converts everything into pixels at the captured screen size.

That means the logo loses the scalability of the original source artwork.

A screenshot may work on a monitor while becoming visibly soft when enlarged for print.

20. Why Should You Avoid Copying Logos From Websites?

Website logos are often optimized for screen use.

They may be:

• Small
• Compressed
• Rasterized

Ask for the original brand file instead.

Pryntco’s Low-Tack Wallpaper Vinyl Guide specifically recommends using original vector logo files instead of screenshots when graphics must be enlarged.

21. Are Social Media Images Raster?

Most social-media images are delivered as raster content and may also be resized or compressed by the platform.

A social-media graphic should not automatically become the master print file.

Use the original design artwork whenever available.

22. Can You Convert a Raster Logo Into Vector?

Potentially, but the process is not the same as simply changing the file extension.

A designer may need to:

• Redraw shapes
• Rebuild typography
• Match colours
• Clean curves

The quality of the finished vector depends on the source and the reconstruction.

23. Is Automatic Image Tracing Good Enough?

Sometimes for simple artwork, but automatic tracing can create:

• Uneven curves
• Too many anchor points
• Incorrect shapes
• Distorted text

Important brand logos should be reviewed manually rather than assuming one-click tracing is accurate.

24. What Happens When Vector Artwork Is Exported as a JPEG?

The exported JPEG becomes raster.

The original vector file may still exist separately, but the JPEG version now has fixed pixel dimensions.

Keep the vector master even when raster exports are created for web or email.

25. Should Text Stay Vector?

Whenever practical, professional layout text should remain proper text or vector outlines rather than being flattened into a low-resolution image.

This helps keep:

• Edges sharp
• Small type cleaner
• File scaling more reliable

26. What About Transparent Background Logos?

A transparent PNG can be useful in digital layouts, but transparency does not make the logo vector.

If a vector master exists, use that for professional print production whenever possible.

27. Does CMYK vs RGB Matter for Both Vector and Raster?

Yes.

Colour mode is separate from artwork type.

A file can be:

• Vector and CMYK
• Vector and RGB
• Raster and CMYK
• Raster and RGB

Pryntco recommends CMYK for print artwork whenever possible.

28. Can Vector Artwork Use Gradients?

Yes.

Vector designs can include gradients, transparency and other effects.

Complex effects should still be reviewed carefully during export because final production files may contain both vector and rasterized components.

29. What Is Best for Line Art?

Vector is generally ideal for clean line art because:

• Edges stay sharp.
• Line weights can be controlled.
• Artwork can be scaled.

A low-resolution raster line drawing may produce rough edges.

30. Which Is Better for Large-Format Printing?

Use vector wherever the artwork naturally supports it, especially for:

• Logos
• Text
• Icons
• Simple graphics

High-quality raster photographs can still be used for large format, but resolution needs to be evaluated according to final size and viewing distance.

Pryntco’s Vinyl Banner Guide discusses large-format image planning.

31. Which Is Better for Business Cards?

Business-card artwork commonly benefits from:

• Vector logo
• Vector text
• High-resolution raster photography where used

Small format does not make low-quality logo files acceptable.

32. Which Is Better for Signs and Banners?

Vector artwork is especially useful because signs may be much larger than the original digital design.

A logo that began as a tiny website graphic may become visibly pixelated when stretched across several feet.

Use original brand artwork.

33. Should QR Codes and Barcodes Be Vector?

Whenever possible, functional line-based codes should be created cleanly at the required final size.

A low-resolution screenshot of a QR code can reduce edge clarity.

Pryntco’s Event Ticket Printing Guide recommends checking QR-code and barcode quality before printing.

34. How Can You Tell Whether Artwork Is Vector?

Opening the file in appropriate design software can help identify whether the elements are:

• Editable paths
• Shapes
• Text
• Placed raster images

Simply zooming into a PDF viewer is not always enough to understand how the file was constructed.

35. What Files Should You Send to a Printer?

Provide the highest-quality original artwork available.

Useful source material can include:

• Original vector logo
• Original high-resolution photographs
• Approved brand colours
• Final print-ready layout

Pryntco commonly prefers properly prepared PDF artwork for production, depending on the product and workflow.

36. How Should Vector and Raster Artwork Be Prepared Together?

Before export:

• Keep logos vector where possible.
• Use original raster photographs.
• Check effective image resolution.
• Build artwork at final size.
• Prepare colour appropriately.
• Use correct bleed and safe areas.
• Test QR codes and functional elements.

Pryntco’s Artwork Preparation Guide covers the broader prepress workflow.

37. What Are the Most Common Vector and Raster Artwork Mistakes?

Common problems include:

• Using a screenshot as the company logo.
• Assuming a PDF is automatically vector.
• Changing a file extension and assuming the artwork type changed.
• Enlarging a small PNG across a banner.
• Using social-media downloads instead of source files.
• Flattening text unnecessarily.
• Ignoring raster-image resolution inside vector layouts.
• Using automatic tracing without checking the result.

38. So, Should You Send Vector or Raster Artwork to a Printer?

The best professional print file usually uses each artwork type for what it does best.

Use vector artwork for logos, icons, typography and clean line graphics. These elements can scale across business cards, posters, signs and banners without developing the pixelated edges of a low-resolution raster image.

Use raster files for photographs and other complex pixel-based imagery. Make sure those photographs contain enough actual image detail for the final printed size.

Do not judge a file only by its extension. A PDF can contain raster images. A transparent PNG is still raster. A JPEG placed inside a vector layout remains raster.

Most importantly, keep the original source files. Do not rely on a logo copied from a website, social profile, email signature or screenshot when the real vector artwork exists elsewhere.

Pryntco’s current FAQ recommends approximately 300 dpi at final size for raster images, while several Pryntco design guides recommend original vector logo artwork for graphics that need to scale.

For large-format work, review the Custom Vinyl Banner Guide. For general file setup, use Pryntco’s Artwork Preparation Guide.

If you are unsure whether your artwork is vector, raster or suitable for the intended print size, contact Pryntco before approving the project.

For additional prepress guidance, browse Pryntco’s Print Resources.