Vector or image?

Graphics files come in two kinds, and the difference shows the moment they are printed.

• Vector: shapes described by mathematical curves. They scale as far as you like, from business card to banner, and stay perfectly sharp. AI, PDF, SVG and EPS files from design software.
• Image (bitmap): a grid of pixels. It has a fixed size; enlarge it beyond that and you get jagged steps and blur. JPG, PNG, TIFF and PSD files.

What should be vector

Logos, text, lines and simple graphics should be vector. That is where sharpness shows most, and a blurry logo spoils the whole piece. If your logo only exists as an image, ask whoever designed it for the AI, PDF or SVG file.

Photos are always images

A photo can't become vector, and it doesn't need to. It just needs enough pixels for the size it will be printed at. Use the pixel calculator to check.

Screenshot logos won't do

A logo grabbed from a website, Facebook or a PDF with a screenshot has screen resolution: few pixels, compressed. It might pass on a business card, but on a poster, banner or shop window it will look blurry. If you can't find the original, we can redraw your logo as vector; ask us about the cost.

Important. A screenshot logo does not become vector just because you save it as a PDF. You need the original file, or the logo redrawn.

How to tell if your PDF is vector

Open it and zoom in a lot (400% or more) on the text or logo. If the edges stay crisp, it is vector. If you see little squares, there is an image inside the PDF.