If you’ve ever sent artwork to a printer, you may have been asked:
“Can you send us the artwork as a vectorised file?”
But what exactly is a vectorised file, and why is vector artwork so important for professional printing? At Dynamic Print, we regularly work with vector artwork for hot foiling, embossing, debossing and die cutting, as well as digital and traditional print. Having the correct artwork can make a significant difference to the quality of the finished product.
What is a vectorised file?
A vector graphic is artwork made from mathematically defined lines, curves and shapes, rather than individual pixels. This means a vector logo, illustration or piece of typography can be enlarged or reduced without becoming pixelated or losing its sharpness. Common vector file formats include AI (Adobe Illustrator), EPS and PDF. SVG is also a vector format, although it is more commonly used for digital and web applications. The important thing to remember is that saving a JPEG inside a PDF does not automatically make it a vector file. The artwork itself needs to contain vector paths and shapes.
Why is vector artwork important for printing?
There are several reasons why printers often prefer vector artwork.
- Vector artwork can be scaled without losing quality
One of the biggest advantages of vector artwork is that it can be enlarged or reduced while retaining clean, sharp edges. For example, the same vector logo could be used on a business card, a certificate or a much larger printed piece without the artwork becoming pixelated. This is particularly important for logos, typography and illustrations that need to reproduce accurately at different sizes.
- Vector artwork produces clean, precise edges
Because vector artwork is made from paths, lines and curves rather than pixels, it is ideal for designs that require crisp edges and fine detail.
This is particularly useful for:
- Logos
- Small text
- Line drawings
- Illustrations
- Patterns
- Packaging artwork
- Foil artwork
- Embossing and debossing artwork
- Die-cutting artwork
For specialist print finishing, precision is particularly important.
Why does Dynamic Print need vector artwork for hot foiling and embossing?
This is where vector artwork becomes especially important to us. At Dynamic Print, we produce traditional hot foil printing, embossing, debossing and die cutting, using specialist equipment and physical dies. For processes such as hot foiling and embossing, the artwork is used to create the tooling or metal die that transfers the design onto the paper. The artwork therefore needs to work not only visually on a computer screen, but also as a physical piece of tooling. Very fine lines, tiny gaps or extremely small lettering can sometimes become problematic when converted into a metal die. That’s why we always recommend supplying the highest-quality vector artwork you have.
Can I use a JPEG for foiling or embossing?
You can send us a JPEG for assessment, but a JPEG is not normally the ideal artwork format for creating a foil or embossing die. JPEGs are raster images made from pixels. If the image is low resolution or has been enlarged, the edges can become soft or pixelated. If your logo or artwork only exists as a JPEG or PNG, don’t worry. Send it to us anyway. We can look at the artwork and advise you whether it is suitable for your project. In some cases, the artwork may need to be recreated or converted into vector artwork before production.
What is the difference between vector and raster artwork?
The easiest way to remember the difference is:
Vector = lines, curves and shapes
Raster = pixels
A vector logo can be enlarged or reduced while retaining its sharpness. A raster image has a fixed number of pixels, so enlarging it too far can result in pixelation or loss of detail. Both types of artwork have an important place in printing. Photographs, for example, are normally raster images and can reproduce beautifully when supplied at an appropriate resolution. The important thing is using the right type of artwork for the job.
What file should I send to a printer?
The preferred file format depends on the printer and the type of work being produced.
Common vector formats include:
- AI – Adobe Illustrator
- EPS
For print, a correctly prepared PDF can be an excellent way of supplying finished artwork, while an AI or EPS file can be useful when editable vector artwork is required. If your project involves hot foiling, embossing, debossing or die cutting, it’s always worth checking with your printer before sending the final artwork. At Dynamic Print, we’re happy to advise you on what we need.
What does “vectorising a logo” mean?
If your logo currently exists only as a JPEG or PNG, vectorising it means recreating the artwork as vector shapes and paths. It is important to understand that simply saving a JPEG as a PDF does not vectorise it. The JPEG remains a pixel-based image inside the PDF. True vector artwork consists of editable paths, shapes, lines and curves. For logos and simple artwork, a designer can often recreate the design as vector artwork. More complicated artwork may require additional work to reproduce accurately.
Do fonts need to be outlined?
When supplying final artwork, you may sometimes be asked to outline your fonts. Outlining converts the letters into vector shapes rather than leaving them as editable text. This can help prevent font-substitution problems if the printer doesn’t have the same font installed. However, there is an important tip: Always keep an editable copy of your original artwork before converting fonts to outlines. Once text has been converted to outlines, it is no longer editable as normal text.
Which is better for printing: PDF, AI or EPS?
There isn’t one format that is automatically best for every printing job. The important question is whether the file contains the correct vector artwork and print information required for the job.
As a general guide:
AI – useful as an editable Adobe Illustrator master file.
EPS – a long-established vector format that is still used for certain print and production applications.
PDF – widely used for supplying finished print artwork and can contain both vector and raster elements.
The format alone doesn’t guarantee that a file is suitable for printing. What’s inside the file matters.
Why good artwork matters at Dynamic Print. At Dynamic Print, we don’t simply put your artwork into a printer and press a button. For specialist processes such as traditional hot foiling, embossing, debossing and die cutting, your artwork becomes part of the physical production process.
We need to consider things such as:
- Line thickness
- Small text
- Fine detail
- Gaps between elements
- Overall design size
- Paper or card thickness
- The depth required for embossing or debossing
- The type of foil being used
- How the design will translate into a physical die
This is particularly important when producing intricate certificates, luxury stationery, business cards, wedding invitations and bespoke print. Sometimes a design that looks perfect on a computer screen needs a small adjustment before it can be turned into a successful physical print finish. That’s where experience matters.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vector Files
What is a vectorised file?
A vectorised file contains artwork made from mathematical paths, lines, curves and shapes rather than pixels. This allows the artwork to be scaled without losing its sharpness.
Is a PDF a vector file?
A PDF can contain vector artwork, but not every PDF is a vector file. A PDF can contain vector graphics, raster images, text or a combination of all three.
Is a JPEG a vector file?
No. JPEG is a raster image format made from pixels.
Can you print a JPEG?
Yes. JPEGs can be printed successfully when they have sufficient resolution for the size of the finished print. However, vector artwork may be preferable for logos, typography and specialist processes such as foiling and embossing.
Do I need a vector file for hot foiling?
For hot foiling, vector artwork is generally the preferred starting point because the design needs to be translated into physical tooling. At Dynamic Print, we can assess your artwork and advise you if changes are required.
Do I need a vector file for embossing and debossing?
Vector artwork is strongly preferred for creating embossing and debossing dies because the artwork needs to be converted into physical tooling with accurate lines and shapes.
Can Dynamic Print vectorise my logo?
If you only have a JPEG or PNG of your logo, send it to us and we can look at it. Depending on the complexity of the artwork, it may be possible to recreate it as vector artwork or we can advise you on what is needed.
Need help with your artwork?
Don’t worry if you’re not sure whether your artwork is suitable. Send your file to Dynamic Print and we’ll take a look.
Whether you’re producing business cards, wedding invitations, certificates, stationery, packaging or bespoke printed pieces, we can advise you on the best artwork format for your project. If you’re looking for hot foil printing, embossing, debossing or traditional die cutting in Norfolk, talk to Dynamic Print about your project.
The better the artwork, the better the starting point for beautiful print.
