Vector vs. Raster Graphics

Vector vs. Raster Graphics: Everything Graphic Designers Need to Know

In a graphic designer's world, two types of images reign supreme: vector graphics and raster graphics. At first glance, they might look the same on your screen, but under the hood, they couldn’t be more different. For a graphic designer, illustrators, and anyone working with visuals, understanding these differences isn’t just technical trivia—it shapes the quality, scalability, and purpose of every design you create.

Let’s dive deep into the what, why, and when of vector and raster graphics, so you can make the smartest choices for your projects.

The Core Difference: Math vs. Pixels

Vector graphics are built from mathematical equations. Imagine every shape, line, and curve in your design as a formula. The computer redraws it perfectly no matter how big or small you make it. For this reason, in Los Angeles Graphic Designers prefer vector graphics because of their wide-applicability and reuse especially in regards to branding icons, assets and logos.

• Example: Logos, typography, and icons often use vector formats because they need to look crisp on everything from a business card to a giant billboard.
  
  

Raster graphics, on the other hand, are made of tiny colored squares called pixels. These are fixed-resolution images—like photographs or detailed illustrations—where every pixel holds specific color data.

• Example: Digital photos, web graphics, and detailed paintings typically rely on raster formats because they capture texture, shading, and complexity in ways vector graphics can’t.

Image Quality and Scalability

• Vector: Infinite scalability. Resize a vector logo from one inch to one mile, and it will never look blurry because it’s resolution-independent.
  
  

• Raster: Limited by resolution. Stretch a raster photo too much, and you’ll see pixelation—the dreaded jagged edges that scream “low quality.”
  
  

This is why professional logos, branding elements, and typography almost always start as vectors. When quality matters across multiple platforms, vectors keep your graphic designs pristine.

File Formats: Speak the Language of Each Type

Common Vector Formats:

• SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics): Perfect for web use; small, clean, and easy to animate.
  
  

• AI (Adobe Illustrator): The industry standard for vector editing.
  
  

• EPS (Encapsulated PostScript): Often used for print because it’s widely supported.
  
  

• PDF (Portable Document Format): Can embed vector elements alongside text and images.
  
  

Common Raster Formats:

• JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group): Great for photos with small file sizes, but lossy compression means some quality loss.
  
  

• PNG (Portable Network Graphics): Ideal for images requiring transparency.
  
  

• GIF (Graphics Interchange Format): Best for simple animations with limited colors.
  
  

• TIFF (Tagged Image File Format): High-quality format used in professional printing and photography.
  
  

• PSD (Photoshop Document): Adobe Photoshop’s native format, great for layered image editing.
  
  

Knowing which format to use keeps your workflow smooth and your designs professional.

Editing and Workflow Differences

• Vector Editing: Usually done in programs like Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW, or Affinity Designer. These tools let you adjust anchor points, curves, and fills—precise, mathematical, and clean.
  
  

• Raster Editing: Managed in Adobe Photoshop, Procreate, or GIMP, where you work with pixels. Perfect for photo retouching, digital painting, and anything involving textures or complex shading.
  
  

Many designers use both: create a vector logo in Illustrator, then drop it into Photoshop to place it over a detailed photo background.

When to Use Each Type

Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

Design Task Best Choice Reason

Logo Design Vector Infinite scalability, crisp edges

Digital Illustration Vector or Raster Vector for flat designs, raster for painterly styles

Photography Raster Captures complex detail and color gradients

Web Icons / UI Elements Vector (SVG) Small file sizes, scalable without loss

Large Print Banners Vector (or high-res raster) Vectors scale infinitely; raster must be huge resolution

Social Media Graphics Raster (JPEG/PNG) Platforms rely on raster images

Resolution: DPI, PPI, and Why They Matter for Raster

Raster graphics require careful attention to resolution:

• PPI (Pixels Per Inch): For digital screens. Standard is 72 or 96 PPI.
  
  

• DPI (Dots Per Inch): For printing. Standard is 300 DPI for crisp, professional results.
  
  

Vectors don’t need DPI settings since they are resolution-independent. This is another reason designers often start with vector formats for logos and branding assets.

File Size and Performance

• Vector files are typically smaller because they store equations, not millions of pixels.
  
  

• Raster files can become huge, especially with high-resolution photos or layered Photoshop files.
  
  

For web use, this affects load times—smaller, optimized images improve user experience.

However, every experienced graphic artist and designer knows that you must use both, vector and/or raster graphics or images, at some point. Sometimes, vectors must be converted to raster and vice versa and sometimes you have to use both at the same time. Every top graphic designer knows when to use one or the other and this knowledge is gained through experience.

The Hybrid Approach: Best of Both Worlds

Many graphic design projects combine vector and raster elements:

• A vector logo layered over a raster photo.
  
  

• A vector infographic exported as a high-resolution PNG for social media.
  
  

Modern tools like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop integrate seamlessly, letting you import and export across formats to fit your final output needs.

Future Trends: Where Vector and Raster Are Headed

• Vector graphics are evolving with animation and interactivity—SVGs on websites now support motion, hover effects, and even dynamic resizing without losing clarity.
  
  

• Raster graphics are benefiting from AI-powered upscaling tools like Topaz Gigapixel AI, which can enlarge low-resolution photos without visible pixelation.
  
  

Graphic designers near me understand both worlds stay ahead as new tools blur the line between vector precision and raster richness.

Quick Recap: The Designer’s Decision Tree

• Start with Vector if your design needs to be sharp, scalable, or brand-focused.
  
  

• Use Raster if you need photorealism, detailed textures, or painting effects.
  
  

• Export Thoughtfully: Choose file types and resolutions based on final use—print, web, or both.

Pixels or Paths? Why Graphic Designers Need Both 

Vector vs. raster graphics isn’t an either/or choice—it’s about using the right tool for the right job. Professional graphic designers often master both worlds, switching seamlessly depending on whether they need infinite scalability or pixel-perfect realism.

The key is understanding how each format works under the hood so you can deliver visuals that look stunning everywhere—from smartphones to skyscrapers.