WHAT IS VECTORIZING AND WHY IS IT SOMETIMES NEEDED?
We’re often asked what a vector file means. Why vectorizing (or finding your already existing vector file) is necessary in order to produce stitched or large and high quality printed badges/emblems? You also might wonder what the difference is between vector and rasterfiles?
First of all, is a simple visualization of the difference between vector and raster and what happens to the raster when you try to enlarge it:
Vector vs Raster image
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VECTORS
are mathematical calculations that form shapes/lines/curves. The main thing to know about them is that they are scalable. It means you can scale and print them in ANY size, without losing their quality, without looking blurred or stretched. We require those files for stitchedemblems, because stitching programs can only be created from a vector file, and for large size printed emblems.
RASTER
images consist of pixels – single points, or the smallest elements of a display device. Photographs are rasters and contain a large number of differently colored pixels. How large you can print a raster image depends on 1) its size – width and height – in pixels and 2) its pixel resolution, or ppi (pixels per inch). You cannot enlarge a raster past certain size without losing quality – as a result it will look blurred or with small squares (pixels). Therefore sometimes the files you send us are not suitable for printing. There are a few possible solutions to this.
- We ask you for obtaining a better quality raster or a vector file. Especially if somebody else designed your artwork, they most probably keep the original files too.
- Sometimes we can vectorize your art. At times this is not possible, because photographs and very complicated drawings take a huge amount of time to be vectorized.
- If nothing works, we offer you an alternative solution, like re-creating your design or making it anew, in a way that would meet your requirements and wishes, of course!
If you have any questions, need more information or like us to check your files, we will be happy to help – do not hesitate to contact us!
Here is a short Youtube video on this topic that you might find useful.
Featured image by Sharon Pittaway on Unsplash
