Let me be honest — I've seen more botched print jobs and pixelated logos than I care to count. Most of the time, the culprit is a simple misunderstanding: raster versus vector graphics. To someone who doesn't live in Illustrator or Photoshop every day, they all seem the same — just images, right? But there's a world of difference. And choosing the wrong one can cost not just visual quality, but money, trust, and time. That’s why I’m breaking this down in plain language, based on over a decade of working with brands, logos, and AI-generated visuals.
Raster graphics are images made up of tiny squares called pixels. Think of a photograph: zoom in far enough, and you'll see the blocky squares that make up the detail. JPEG, PNG, GIF — all raster formats. The key thing? They’re resolution-dependent. That means if you stretch or scale them beyond their original size, they lose quality. Blurry logos on billboards? That’s usually a raster used where a vector was needed.
Vectors, on the other hand, are made from mathematical formulas — lines, curves, shapes. This makes them resolution-independent. Whether it's the size of a coin or a city bus, vectors stay crisp. SVG, EPS, AI — these are vector file formats. That’s why logos, icons, and brand assets are best made in vector.
Feature Raster Graphics Vector Graphics
Composition Pixels Mathematical paths
Scalability Loses quality when scaled Perfectly scalable
File Size Larger for high-res Usually lighter
Best for Photos, textures Logos, icons, illustrations
Editing Pixel-level adjustments Object-level manipulation
Software Photoshop, GIMP Illustrator, CorelDRAW
Expert Tip: Always ask your designer for both raster (for web) and vector (for print) versions of your logo. If they only send you PNG — it’s not enough.
You’re working with photography
Complex color gradients are needed
Web-based visuals where size doesn’t need scaling
You’re designing a logo or icon
You need to scale an image
You’ll be printing (business cards, banners, merchandise)
And here’s the kicker: many new entrepreneurs create their brand visuals in Canva or grab a JPG from the web, then wonder why their logo prints fuzzy on their storefront sign. That’s a raster file behaving exactly how it should — badly, when stretched.
To avoid this, more and more business owners are turning to tools powered by logo maker AI, which generate brand assets in vector formats from the start. This ensures your logo stays crisp and clear at any size — from a favicon to a billboard.
Using JPG logos for print
Assuming PDF always means vector
Converting raster to vector blindly
Expert Insight: If you're using online logo tools, make sure they actually export in SVG or EPS. Otherwise, you're stuck with low-res branding.
If all of this sounds overwhelming, there's a shortcut. Tools like Turbologo use AI to generate professional-grade vector logos instantly. All you need to do is enter your brand name and a few preferences — colors, style, niche — and it gives you a set of scalable, editable logos. Perfect for business owners who don’t have time to learn Illustrator but still want print-ready results.
Try our AI logo generator to create your own vector logo. It’s fast, affordable, and built for people who value both design and time.
Short answer — yes, with some caveats.
Most tools use auto-tracing, where the software detects edges and turns them into vector shapes. It works best with high-contrast, simple images like black-and-white icons. For complex images like photos, you’ll lose fidelity or end up with bloated files.
Software options:
Illustrator (Image Trace)
CorelDRAW (PowerTRACE)
Online tools like Vector Magic
But the best vector graphics are created as vectors from the start. Conversion is a workaround, not a solution.
Type Raster? / Vector? Common Use
JPG Raster Photos, web
PNG Raster Logos (web only)
GIF Raster Simple animations
SVG Vector Logos, icons
EPS Vector Print materials
AI Vector Adobe Illustrator
PDF Both Document exchange
Expert Tip: Always keep your logo’s original SVG or AI file. It’s the ‘master key’ to all formats.
Q: Can I use a PNG logo for business cards?
A: Technically yes, but it's risky. If it’s not high-res, it’ll print blurry. Always prefer vector.
Q: What’s the best format for a website logo?
A: SVG. It loads fast and scales beautifully.
Q: How do I check if a file is vector?
A: Open it in Illustrator or an online viewer. Try zooming in 1000%. If it blurs — it's raster.
Q: Why does my designer ask for a vector logo?
A: Because vectors scale without losing quality. Essential for anything print-related.
Raster and vector aren’t just technical jargon — they’re the foundation of every visual impression your business makes. Get it wrong, and it’s obvious. Get it right, and even your smallest touchpoints — like a favicon or a banner ad — will look clean and confident.
As someone who’s helped thousands of businesses create logos and brand identities, trust me: knowing the difference is half the battle. The other half? Making the smart choice.