What is Vector Artwork?

Unlike JPEGs, GIFs, and BMPs (also known as rasters images), vector graphics are not made up of a grid of pixels. Instead, vector graphics are comprised of paths, which are defined by a start and end point, along with other points, curves, and angles along the way. A path can be a line, a square, a triangle, or a curvy shape. These paths can be used to create simple drawings or complex diagrams. Because vector-based images are not made up of a specific number of dots, they can be scaled to a larger size and not lose any image quality. If you blow up a JPEGs, GIFs, or BMP graphic, it will look blocky, or “pixelated.”

 

When do I use a vector versus a raster (jpeg) file?

Raster Images are often called bitmap images because they are made of millions of tiny squares, called pixels. Almost all of the images you find on websites are raster images, even those that may have originally been created with paths. You can identify a raster or bitmap image by looking at it very closely. If you zoom in enough, you will be able to see the square outlines of each pixel (especially around edges where there are dramatic color contrasts). It can be very difficult to resize raster images and maintain a high quality. When using raster images you have to make the raster image true to size (ex: if you are printing a 2 foot by 2 foot banner your image needs to be created at 2 foot by 2 foot size to maintain quality). Vector Graphics are best used for logos and illustrations. This holds true because vector graphics can be resized to any size while maintaining quality. Consider creating a vector image library for your files and saving copies for raster-based work to save you time during the life of a project.

 

What if I don't have access to a vector graphic file?

Well, you are in luck! Shop the Sign Lady offers vectorization services for all graphics. For an additional fee (usually ranging from $50-$100 for logo files) we can have your raster image vectorized. In doing so, we then provide you with the all the file formats you could need for your logo moving forward. Please email Quote@siganramacolorado.com to receive a full comprehensive quote on vectorizing your artwork as more intricate artwork may not fall within our usual pricing.

What type of raster (jpeg) file do I need for a large scale print?

If you are printing a large photo for a Canvas print or potential display the below chart will help you determine the photo size and resolution that will give you best possible print. 

Digital Camera Resolutions v. Print Quality
Capture Resolution	Video Display	Print Size
		2x3"	4x5"/4x6"	5x7"	8x10"	11x14"	16x20"	20x30"
320x240	OK	Good	OK	Crap	Crap	Crap	Crap	Crap
640x480 0.3Megapixel	Good	Excellent	Good	Crap	Crap	Crap	Crap	Crap
800x600	Excellent	Photo Quality	Very Good	Reasonable	Crap	Crap	Crap	Crap
1024x768	Excellent	Photo Quality	Excellent	Good	OK	Crap	Crap	Crap
1280x960 1 MP	Excellent	Photo Quality	Photo Quality	Very Good	Good	Crap	Crap	Crap
1536x1180	Excellent	Photo Quality	Photo Quality	Excellent	Very Good	OK	Crap	Crap
1600x1200 2MP	Excellent	Photo Quality	Photo Quality	Photo Quality	Very Good	OK	OK	Crap
2048x1536 3 Megapixel	Excellent	Photo Quality	Photo Quality	Photo Quality	Excellent	Good	OK	OK
2240x1680 4 Megapixel	Excellent	Photo Quality	Photo Quality	Photo Quality	Photo Quality	Very Good	Good	OK
2560x1920 5 Megapixel	Excellent	Photo Quality	Photo Quality	Photo Quality	Photo Quality	Excellent	Very Good	Very Good
3032x2008 6 Megapixel	Excellent	Photo Quality	Photo Quality	Photo Quality	Photo Quality	Photo Quality	Excellent	Very Good
3072x2304 7 Megapixel	Excellent	Photo Quality	Photo Quality	Photo Quality	Photo Quality	Photo Quality	Excellent	Excellent
3264x2448 8 Megapixel	Excellent	Photo Quality	Photo Quality	Photo Quality	Photo Quality	Photo Quality	Photo Quality	Excellent
10 Megapixel +	Excellent	Photo Quality	Photo Quality	Photo Quality	Photo Quality	Photo Quality	Photo Quality	Photo Quality

 

Crap	Horribly pixelated blocky mess, like something out of 1987
OK	Looks reasonable enough, but nowhere near photo quality
Good	Pretty good all round, with a fair bit of detail
Very Good	This will be fine for most uses, unless you get up reeeeal close
Excellent	As good as a photo for most purposes
Photo Quality	Woohoo! Fantastic quality print, full of detail and perfect for your picture frame or showing off your very best shots.