When it comes to exporting an image, for example a company logo, you may be confused with the amount of file extensions that your image can be exported in. The confusion is further compounded by the fact that printers now accept many different file extensions for different purposes. Although we are all familiar with our JPEG and PNG images, it only takes the addition of newer file types like EPS and TIFF to overwhelm the average consumer.
Fortunately, most file extensions can be grouped into either one of two main file formats, either raster or vector. Both of these file formats serve different purposes, but vector images reign supreme when it comes to multipurpose printing.
To learn more about their benefits, keep on reading!
Adaptability for other marketing materials
Especially important for company logos, mascots and other graphics, vector images offer superior adaptability as compared to raster images. This is due to vector images being designed and optimised for printing on different physical media articles. Raster images, on the other hand, are more suited for the likes of web graphics and advertisements due to the high quality they offer onscreen and ease of editing.
As a reflection of the versatility and suitability of vector graphics in printing, many sticker printing companies in Singapore will ask for vector files, with .ai files most commonly requested from clients.
Smaller file size
While vector images tend to be smaller than raster images, they offer much more versatility when it comes to printing. Vector images do not utilise millions of pixels like raster images do, instead, they utilise a clever mix of points and mathematics for a smaller file size and easier export.
For this reason, vector images are easier to send over platforms with smaller file transfer capacity, as well as providing printing services with the ability to become more efficient due to the quicker download speeds and rendering time with little to no loss in quality and resolution.
High resolution at resize with no quality loss
Unlike raster images that lose image quality when expanded or shrunk, vector images are specifically designed to be scaled up and down with no quality loss. This makes vector images perfect for printing marketing materials such as brochures, badges, and tote bags.
While a raster image is likely to look fine on a badge, it will become blurry and have a pixelated look if you were to try scaling it up to fit a tote bag. Vector images, however, have no such issue, meaning you can use the same image for printing of any size, as long as you scale it up to the specified dimensions.
Conclusion
With the confusion shrouding the differences between vector and raster images out of the way, the next step for you and your business would be to engage a reputable and affordable printing service provider.
Over at SG Printz, there is no shortage of products and services offered when it comes to printing branding and marketing materials for your business or cause. SG Printz is a versatile printing company offering sticker printing services in Singapore and many more related products such as mugs, folders, and brochures.
Founded with the intention of providing affordable yet high-quality printing services for businesses across the board, SG Printz leaves no stone unturned when it comes to meeting your printing needs. To learn more about our services, do not hesitate to contact us today!