Vector files and bitmap images work very differently, and it’s common for people to have questions about how they compare. My goal here is to clarify these differences and help clear up any lingering doubts once and for all.

Bitmap, or raster, images are made up of a grid of tiny squares called pixels. Each pixel is assigned a color, and together they create a complete image. However, when you zoom in on a bitmap image, you can see the individual pixels, which is why enlarging a bitmap image often causes it to lose quality and appear blurry.

For example, if you have a JPG or PNG image at 20×20 cm and try to scale it up to fit an outdoor banner at 900×300 cm, the image will become pixelated and blurry. This is because the image data is already set — it includes fixed colors, resolution (DPI), and layout. Editing elements like colors or removing objects in a bitmap image requires Photoshop, but even with significant effort, the results may not be perfect.

So, is the solution to create a super-large bitmap image, like 900×900 cm, and invest in a powerful computer? Not really. Working with such large files requires a lot of storage (MB, GB) and an advanced computer, not to mention that editing would be very time-consuming.

Vector files are different. Instead of pixels, it use mathematical formulas to create shapes, lines, and curves, allowing you to zoom in infinitely (even up to 10,000%) without any loss of quality. Vectors provide the highest quality possible, and you can edit any part of the image — change colors, remove or add elements — without compromising quality.

The Photoshop edit looks good, right? NOT! See a little closer:

The change of colors in the vector file is perfect, but by doing the same edit in the bitmap file you can see that is not 100%.

Imagine you have a 500×500 pixel PNG of your brand logo, and you try to print it at a larger size. The result could be a blurry, low-quality print, which might affect negatively your brand’s presentation. With a vector file, however, you won’t face this problem.

• Bitmaps are ideal for photographs, web images, or simple print jobs. Common bitmap formats are PNG and JPEG (you can read more about this here).
• Vectors are perfect for logos, icons, large-scale prints, and designs with solid colors. Common universal vector formats include EPS, SVG, and PDF. And also source file vector files like Illustrator, Affinity Designer, Corel Draw, etc… (Those source file vectors only can be opened on their respective software, you can’t open an illustrator file on the Affinity Designer BUT if you are doing it on Illustrator and save the file as PDF, EPS or SVG then you can open in any other vector software of your choice).

If you have an editable PDF, AI, Affinity Designer, or CorelDRAW file, you have the source file, or the original version of your design.

I hope this helps you understand the key differences between bitmap and vector files! Remember to ask your designer for a vector or source file when needed, and if you’re looking for a designer, let’s talk!

See you soon!