Vector and raster are the two fundamental image formats in graphic production. Every production supplier you work with: print shops, embroidery digitizers, screen printers, sign makers and vinyl cutters, will ask for your file in one of these formats. Understanding the difference prevents rejected artwork, extra redraw charges and production delays. This guide explains what each format is, when to use each and why production always prefers vector.
Guaranteed File Compatibility & Industry Standards
A raster image is made of pixels. A vector file is made of paths. When you scale a raster image up, the pixels become visible and the image blurs. When you scale a vector file up, the paths recalculate and the image stays sharp.
1,794+ businesses trust us with their vector conversions.
JPG, PNG and BMP files are raster format. They store colour as a grid of pixels at a fixed resolution. Scale beyond the original resolution and the pixels become visible. Common raster file types: JPG, PNG, BMP, TIFF, GIF.
AI, EPS and SVG files are vector format. They store colour as mathematical path objects. Scale to any size: billboard or business card, the output is always sharp. Common vector file types: AI, EPS, SVG, PDF vector, CDR.
Raster images are acceptable for: screen display, web use, and high-resolution print where no resizing is needed. At 300 DPI at the final print size, a raster image produces acceptable print quality.
Every raster to vector conversion from Sassy Digitizing is done manually in Adobe Illustrator. No auto-trace. Clean production-ready paths delivered in 2 to 8 hours from $10.
In a design workflow that only ever produces content for screens, the distinction between vector and raster is less critical. The distinction becomes critical the moment a file needs to be used for physical production. A vinyl cutter cannot cut a raster path. A laser engraver cannot follow a pixel edge cleanly. A screen printer needs colour-separated vector layers to burn individual screens. An embroidery digitizer produces a better file from a clean vector reference than from a raster source of the same logo.
The most common format mistake in embroidery and print shops is accepting a logo from a client as a JPG or low-resolution PNG and proceeding directly to production without converting it to vector first. The client often does not know their logo needs to be in a specific format. They simply send what they have. The shop's job is to either request the vector source file from the client or convert the raster file to vector before starting production.
Pixel based, fixed resolution
Path based, infinitely scalable
Here is the practical rule for any production workflow: if the job involves cutting, engraving, screen printing, or large format printing, start with a vector file. If the job involves only digital display, web use, or low-volume small-format digital print, raster at sufficient resolution works. When in doubt, vector is always the safer choice because a vector file can always generate a raster export, but a raster file cannot be automatically converted to a high-quality vector.
💡 When a client sends a JPG logo, do not begin production. Either ask the client for the original source vector file or send the JPG to Sassy Digitizing for professional vector conversion. The conversion cost is always less than the cost of wasted production time and materials from using a poor-quality source file.
✓ Do this:
✗ Avoid this:
| Format | Type | Scalable | Production Ready | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPG | Raster | No | No | Web display and photos |
| PNG | Raster | No | No | Web with transparency |
| TIFF | Raster | No | Partial | High-resolution digital archive |
| AI | Vector | Yes | Yes | Professional logo master file |
| EPS | Vector | Yes | Yes | Legacy production standard |
| SVG | Vector | Yes | Yes | Web and cutting machines |
| PDF (vector source) | Vector | Yes | Yes | Client production file |
| PDF (scanned source) | Raster inside PDF | No | No | Requires conversion to vector |
Need your raster logo converted to a clean production-ready vector file? Delivered in 2 to 4 hours.
Order Raster to Vector Conversion →Go behind the scenes of our design process. Discover technical tips for embroidery digitizing and best practices for high-quality vector conversions.
Everything you need to know about our embroidery digitizing service, pricing, file formats, turnaround times and revision policy.
Resolution matters for raster images like JPG and PNG. A minimum of 300 DPI is recommended for clean print output at intended size. Vector files are resolution-independent and stay sharp at any scale because they are built from paths, not pixels.
Raster to vector conversion is done by manually tracing the image in Adobe Illustrator. Each shape is rebuilt as clean vector paths. Auto-trace tools produce rough, jagged results. Manual conversion produces production-ready AI, EPS, or SVG files suitable for print and embroidery.
Yes. Manual tracing creates clean bezier curves with controlled anchor points, while auto-trace follows every pixel edge and produces messy, high-anchor-count paths. Manual tracing is suitable for production use; auto-trace often requires cleanup or full redraw.
Raster images store color per pixel, while vector files store color as attributes of shapes. Vector files allow clean color separation for printing, especially screen printing, while raster files merge all colors into a single pixel grid.
Vector files are usually much smaller than raster images. A vector logo may be under a few MB, while a high-resolution raster version of the same design can be tens of MB because raster files store pixel data instead of paths.
Screen printers require vector files because each color must be separated into individual layers for film output. Vector files allow clean separation of colors, while raster files cannot be directly separated without manual vector reconstruction.
Upload your artwork and get a machine-ready embroidery file in just 2 to 4 hours. No upfront payment – pay only after you approve. Free revisions included!
2–4 Hours
Rush Turnaround
100% Approval
Pay After Approval
Free Revisions
Until You're Happy
Lightning-Fast Delivery
Get your file in 2–4 hours, every time.
Expert Quality
38+ expert digitizers with years of experience.
24/7 Support
We're here to help, anytime you need us.
Secure & Confidential
Your files are safe with us. Always.
Upload your artwork now and let our experts turn it into perfection – fast!
1,794+
Happy Clients
4.9★
Client Rating
38+
Expert Digitizers
6+
Years Experience
Clients return because files run clean on machines and delivery timelines are consistently met. 4.9-star average on Google and Trustpilot. 54,273 designs delivered.
Wonderful Digitizer! FAST and Efficient. Wonderful Communication
Quick response. Excellent quality files. Reasonable rates.
I've been working with Sassy for almost a year now. There service and quality of work is top notch!!
Great quality, great price and great to work with! Have used them twice and will continue to use them in the future.
Great personal service. Quick, reliable quality work. A very customer oriented operation. Thank you!
Always top notch service from these guys! They do such a wonderful job. Have been using them a long time
It is very simple to make edit requests. Thank you
We just starting working with Sassy Digitizing. They are very responsive and have provided great stitch files. Even if a file needs to be edited they are quick to respond. So far so good!
Great communication. Easy and transparent process. Super quick too! We used Sassy Digitizing to help get some image files converted for an event t-shirt. End result was perfect. Definitely recommend to others.
I highly recommend Sassy Digitizing. Easy to submit, quick turnaround and stitches out beautifully! I use them for all of my digitizing needs.
The sassy team was super responsive, communicated well, and turned each project around super quickly. Highly recommend.
I've been working with Sassy for almost a year now. There service and quality of work is top notch!!
Great files and quick turnaround time.
Quick and easy, very painless. I will be using this service from now on.
Sassy does all of my digitizing and each logo stitches out beautifully
Clothing authority always has the product I need has great shipping prices and timely delivery
Francis Brady
Top notch service at a low price! Can't beat that! Been using these guys for a while now. They get the job done every single time. Never a disappointment! Thank you guys as always!
Joe Hamilton
They are always good quality and if there is something I do not like - they fix it
Becky Wof
Fast turnaround! Stitches beautifully.
Vickie Nimer
This was my first time doing business with AOGU apparel so I ordered a sample. I was very pleased with the sample and made a bulk order. I was very impressed with the quality, style, and design of the merchandise and so was my customers. I do plan to make more orders in the future.
Alquin Parker
I've been very satisfied with everything I've ever had done. Convenient, easy to use website makes it even better.
MsNform
They strive hard to please, their customers. Very reasonable priced also. That is who I use when I need something done, thank you much, Paula
Paula Rudolph
GREAT COMPANY TO WORK WITH. EFFICIENT, QUICK AND VERY PROFESSIONAL.
nicholas tolentine
From the beginning of my project til the end, John was extremely responsive and customized all my images perfectly. I will use Sassydigitizing for all my custom work in the future. They are professional and timely.
Cheryl Jokich
MSP Embroidery and More have used Sassy Digitizing for over two years. They provide top notch service as reasonably priced. They are always willing to go over and above the call of duty to assist us. They are also very accommodating. I highly recommend them and will continue using them. Thank you Sassy
Marshalle Peay
They always do a great job and are super easy to work with. Always willing to make quick fixes if needed as well. Highly recommend!
Keli Casey
I love Sassy Digitizing! They give professional, prompt service. They cater to their customers to provide them with the best service possible!
Dawn Bradley
Very fast response time and I’m happy with the result. Just make sure you know exactly what you want and be very clear with images, color codes etc 🙌🏼 Will use again for sure!
Chris Law
I have never worked with such a kind, knowledgeable company. Ben is absolutely amazing and extremely fast at completing any design you throw his way with great file quality. Very fast responses and they go above and beyond. I would recommend sassy digitizing to everyone who needs any design
Ash
Sassy Digitizing is the best in the industry! Great Quality and fast turnaround! They have amazing attention to detail and are always following up to make sure the files sew as we expected! I've worked in the industry for 25yrs and my only regret is not partnering with Sassy sooner!!!
Absolute Screen Printing
