Graphics are an essential part of visual communication, covering every visual element – from logos to illustrations and photographs. Whether you are designing a poster, a website image, or any other visual material, you are always working with either raster or vector graphics. These two fundamental types differ in their properties, advantages, and limitations. Understanding these differences is crucial not only for designers but also for companies and anyone involved in digital creation, as they significantly affect the quality of the final output and its potential use.
What is raster graphics?
Raster graphics (bitmap) are made up of a grid of dots – pixels. Each pixel has its own color, and together they form the image. Typical examples are photographs, mobile phone pictures, or images downloaded from the internet.
The advantages of raster graphics lie in their ability to faithfully display complex motifs and realistic color gradients. That makes them particularly suitable for photographs or detailed illustrations. The downside is that when enlarged, the image loses quality and becomes blurry. High-quality files can also take up a lot of storage space.
Most common formats: JPG (photographs, web), PNG (transparent background, web graphics), TIFF (print).
What is vector graphics?
Unlike raster images, vector graphics are not based on pixels but on mathematical curves. The image is built from lines, points, and shapes that can be scaled infinitely without losing quality. This makes vector graphics the go-to option for logos, icons, illustrations, or technical drawings.
The advantages of vector graphics are infinite scalability, small file sizes, and easy editing. Colors, shapes, and sizes can be changed quickly without losing detail. However, vector graphics are not suitable for complex photographs that require realistic details.
Most common formats: SVG (web, logos), AI (Adobe Illustrator), EPS (print).
When to use raster and when vector graphics?
The right format depends on the purpose:
- Raster graphics are ideal for photographs, web banners, detailed images, or social media content. They capture reality, shadows, and color nuances very well.
- Vector graphics are best suited for logos, brand manuals, large-format prints, iconography, or any materials where sharp lines need to remain intact even at extreme sizes.
In practice, both formats are often combined. For example, a vector logo can be easily inserted into a raster photograph for a poster or flyer.
How does BrandCloud fit in?
If your company works with visual identity, it is crucial to always have the right formats at hand at the right time. BrandCloud allows you to store both raster images for web and social media as well as vector logos for print and presentations. This ensures that employees and partners always work with high-quality, up-to-date assets.
It also eliminates the hassle of searching for files or the risk of using outdated logos. BrandCloud provides a unified environment that saves time and minimizes mistakes.
Raster and vector graphics both play an irreplaceable role. Photographs and detailed illustrations belong to raster formats, while logos, icons, and brand identity elements should always be stored as vectors. If you understand these differences and use them intentionally, you will save both time and money. Combined with tools like BrandCloud, you gain the assurance that your entire team works with the correct files, and your visuals always look professional.
