Know your file types! Vector & Pixel Based
- bagtreeart
- Apr 24, 2015
- 2 min read
Vector based graphics or drawings can be stretched to ANY size WITHOUT losing quality. The most common file types for these are .eps and .ai. A pixel based format .TIFF .jpeg .png WILL lose quality when it's made bigger.
When I hand over a logo to a client they get the Vector file types as well as pixel based but with transparency with their CMYK (print colours) RGB and HEX colour codes (digital viewing and web). I know, as do most designers, that not everyone has or needs the software to open and manipulate vectors and if they did would have very little interest in playing with it for hours to get it just right but, My name is Chrissy and love it! *high five* But most have had to resize a pixel based picture for one reason or another and can do so pretty easily with all of the software & Apps flying about for our daily image communication. However if you ever need to send your Logo to a designer to design anything we need & love your vectors! We REALLY love them if you are needing to go bigger! Designers will often charge for transforming your logos into vectors if it needs to be done. Signage, banners, and even websites can require large images as not only does your website need to be viewable on a mobile device, people use their TV's which can be quite obscene in size. So in summery your Logo needs to look AMAZING on EVERYTHING! The easiest and cheapest way to do this is #Getyourvector! :D
When you have something pixel based like a .jpg or .png you'll also need it on a transparent background so this can go ontop of any image you like without a white square around it or it has to be cut out. It helps if you can get the original file like the layered .psd so there is a chance your logo bits are seperated into layers. Not every white is white or #ffffff and when we try to overlay them on other white things we often have outbursts starting with #ffffff as we set about cutting them out as they are not quite white...
If you are getting a logo designed or any kind branding that may at some point need to be manipulated, size wise, get your vectors! If you can't you need a BIG logo on a transparent background so you can shrink it. Pixels can go smaller but not bigger! Don't be happy with a picture of your image. If you've paid for a logo design you need it to be just that! "A basis for all of your other marketing materials!"
The way I remebered, (I was taught way back in my college days when my memory wasn't so good due to too much party!), is that Vectors are made of maths Pixels aren't. For some reason that made a vector magical (again possibly too much party) And for that reason I continued as an Art student.
If you have any questions I would be happy to answer. If you have any corrections I would be embarressed by my foolishness but would accept them. Humbly. If you have anything to add I'd love it.
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