Raster vs. Vector

What’s the difference?

The difference between a vector and a raster file is that vector files are made using shapes and curves, meaning it can be enlarged or shrunk down without losing any of its quality. Simply put; vector art is made of lines instead of pixels.

Raster files on the other hand are made of a collection of pixels and are restricted by their size. Raster files can be shrunk without losing any quality, but can only be enlarged to a certain size before it starts to become pixilated.

Can you enlarge a raster image?

Yes, and no. Raster images can be enlarged, but the quality of the image could become much worse. Raster images only have a certain amount of pixels, and as you enlarge a raster image the pixels get bigger and more noticeable.

Which one is better for printing?

There are many advantages that vector art has over raster art, and overall vector art is much better; but that doesn’t mean that raster art is bad or unusable.

If you have a raster image that is high enough quality, it can be used to create beautiful prints.