Vector vs. Raster: Which Artwork Works Best for Printing?

When sending artwork to Band Shoppe for custom flags, banners, or uniforms, choosing the right file type makes all the difference. You may have heard terms like vector art and raster images, but what do they mean?

Vector Art

✔ Common File Types: .AI, .EPS, .SVG, .PDF (if saved in vector format).

Vector art is like a digital blueprint made of mathematical equations instead of pixels. This means your artwork can be resized infinitely without losing quality—whether it’s a small logo or a large parade banner.

Key Features of Vector Art:

• Scalable: Always stays sharp, regardless of size
• Ideal for Printing: Logos, text, and graphics always look crisp
• Programs Used: Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape, Affinity Designer

Raster Art (High-Res vs. Low-Res)

Unlike vector art, raster images are made of tiny squares called pixels. The more pixels an image has, the clearer it appears—but raster images have a fixed size. They can become blurry and pixelated when enlarged.

High-Resolution Raster Art (Best for Printing)

✔ Common File Types: .TIF, .PSD, .JPG.

• Best for photo-based designs on uniforms, flags, and banners—must be at least 300 DPI for clear printing
• Sharp and Detailed: Works well for photos and complex artwork
• Fixed Size: Can’t be enlarged without losing quality
• Programs Used: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Express, Artweaver, Affinity Photo

Low-Resolution Raster Art (Not for Printing)

✔ Common File Types: .JPG, .PNG, .GIF.

• Blurry When Enlarged: Loses quality when printed
• Best Use: Great for online graphics, but not for printed items
• Most photos found on the internet (in addition to being copyright protected) are typically low-res unless using a quality stock photo source such as shutterstock.com
• Programs Used: Most built-in editors like Microsoft Paint, phone apps, Canva

	Vector	Raster
Made of	multiple reference points and curves	pixels
Scalability	infinitely scaleable without loss of quality	loses quality when scaled to larger sizes
Conversion	easily convertible to raster	must be hand-drawn or auto-traced* (*will lose significant quality)
Common formats	.AI, .EPS, .SVG, .PDF	High Res: .TIF, .PSD, .JPG Low Res: .JPG, .PNG, .GIF

What if I don’t have a Vector file or High-Res photo?

Don’t worry—we can do it for you. If you’re unable to send high-quality images, Band Shoppe will make every attempt to recreate your logo or artwork. Complex logos and intricate artwork may be subject to an additional design fee. Or you can visit shutterstock.com, let our Sales Team know the image ID # when ordering, and we’ll take care of the rest!