File Types & Vector Artwork

Not all artwork files are created the same—and a file that looks great on your computer or phone may not always be suitable for printing, embroidery, signage, apparel, or other types of production.

Don’t worry if terms like vector, raster, resolution, or outlined fonts sound like another language. Here’s a simple explanation of the different file types and why we may ask you for a particular one.

Vector artwork is usually the best choice for logos and graphics.

Unlike a photograph, vector artwork is built using lines, curves, and shapes rather than individual pixels. That means it can be enlarged from the size of a business card to the size of a banner or sign without becoming blurry or pixelated.

Common vector file types include:

AI – Adobe Illustrator
EPS – Encapsulated PostScript
SVG – Scalable Vector Graphic
PDF – Can contain vector artwork

One important note: saving a JPEG or PNG as a PDF does not make it vector artwork. The artwork itself must have been created or converted as vector artwork.

Raster images are made from pixels. Photographs are a perfect example.

Common raster file types include:

JPG / JPEG
PNG
TIFF
PSD

Raster files can work very well for printing when they have enough resolution for the finished size. The problem occurs when a small image is enlarged too much—the individual pixels become visible and the image can look blurry or jagged.

PNG files are especially useful when an image needs a transparent background, but a PNG is still a raster image. A transparent background doesn't automatically mean the artwork is production-ready or vector.

Whenever possible, send us the largest, highest-quality original file available.

Fonts can sometimes change when a file is opened on a computer that doesn't have the same typeface installed.

Converting—or outlining—the text turns the letters into graphic shapes. This helps preserve the appearance of your design regardless of which fonts are installed on another computer.

If you don't know how to do this, that's okay. Send us what you have and we'll take a look.

If you have an AI, EPS, SVG, or vector PDF: send that first.

If you don't: send us the highest-quality version you have.

And if you have several versions of your logo and aren't sure which one is best, send them all. We'd rather look through your files and choose the best option than have you guess.

A file named logo.pdf isn't necessarily vector, just as a large JPEG isn't necessarily high enough quality for every application. We may need to open and inspect your artwork before determining whether it's suitable for your particular project.