Before you resize a logo, edit a product photo or send artwork to a printer, it helps to know whether the file is raster or vector. The two types store images in completely different ways, and choosing the wrong one is a common cause of blurry prints and jagged edges.
How raster images work
Raster images are grids of pixels. Photographs, textured backgrounds and detailed product images are usually raster files because pixels can represent subtle tone, texture and lighting. Common raster formats include JPEG, PNG, TIFF and WebP.
The trade-off is resolution. Enlarging a raster image beyond its useful size reveals softness or jagged edges, so start with an original that is large enough for the biggest use you expect.
How vector graphics work
Vector artwork stores paths, shapes, strokes and fills mathematically instead of as pixels. It can scale up or down without losing sharpness, which makes it the right choice for logos, icons, diagrams and many illustrations. Common vector formats include SVG, AI and EPS, and some PDF files also contain vector data. Complex photographic detail is usually better represented as raster data.
Converting between raster and vector
Exporting vector artwork as a PNG or JPEG (rasterizing) is straightforward, but it is a one-way step: the exported file is fixed at its pixel size. Going the other way, tracing a raster image into vector paths, can work for simple, high-contrast logos, but it rarely suits photographs and the result usually needs manual cleanup. Keep the original vector file whenever you have one.
Choose the right format for the job
- Use raster formats for photographs and detailed retouching.
- Use vector formats for scalable logos and simple illustrations.
- Keep an editable master and export a delivery copy for the destination.
- Check the recipient’s required format before converting a file.
When a project combines photography and vector artwork, keep each element in its most suitable format until final export.
Related reading
Next, see our guide to standard photo sizes for print and digital use. For more on how pixel-based files work, read Adobe’s guide to bitmap images. If you need cut-out product images, explore our clipping path services.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my image look blurry when I enlarge it?
Most likely it is a raster file with too few pixels for the larger size. Vector artwork does not have this problem because it is redrawn at any size.
Should my logo be raster or vector?
Keep the master logo as a vector file, then export raster copies such as PNG for web use. That way you can always produce a sharp version at any size.
Can I turn a JPEG into a vector?
You can trace it, but results are best for simple shapes with solid colors. Photographs do not convert cleanly into vector paths.
