WHY DO I NEED A VECTOR FILE?
If you ever want to print your logo or any other marketing materials, you are going to need vector art. Vector images will save you time and money down the road, and most printers require it. So what is a vector image and why is it so important?
Vector files are normally AI, EPS, or SVG, file types. They can be re-sized as large or small as you want with out loosing any quality in the image, which makes them great for print. You can easily update colors, move elements, and edit fonts with just a few mouse clicks. This is because the image is based on paths and mathematical information, not pixels. Raster images are pixel based and loose image quality when re-sized. See the example.
AI files are Adobe Illustrator file. This format is used to represent vector based images in either PDF or EPS. Aside from Illustrator there area few other design programs that read this file type. Corel Draw, Freehand, Ghostscape, Drawplus and Inkscape are a few. AI vector files can be converted to just about any file type you will ever need.
EPS Encapsulated PostScript is a standard graphic file format for grouping text, images and other graphic elements into layouts. EPS-files are a bit like PDF files. They can be viewed and inserted in other documents but they are not normally meant to be edited. The EPS format is one of the most versatile file formats used by designers and printers all over the world and required by many professionals for quality printing and imaging. EPS files are made up of two main parts; the high resolution data and the preview. Ask your designer for EPS files when the project is complete. You will need them.
JPGs Joint Photographic Experts Group files are (or were) the standard digital image format, typically shot with a digital camera or basic flat pixel images. These types are great for photography and still imagery, especially archived image libraries or for transmitting across networks because of their small file size. They are great for photographers, web, and email. JPG’s or any raster file types are not great for print or resizing.
PNG Portable Network Graphics. The PNG file is a newer file format which has over taken the basic JPEG and GIF file formats. The PNG format uses a loss-less compression approach and supports 24-bit colors or 8-bit colors. The PNG format is also popular for being able to control transparency information, Adobe gamma corrections, and file defined background color. This file format compresses without losing image quality, but files are significantly larger than other image formats. PNG files are great for web design and user interface graphics, but they are still raster images and lousy for print and resizing.
Many debate what the best file format for print is. Beezink will provide every file type you will need. When you commission design work from Beezink, you will receive a JPG file to review your work, a PNG for web and user interface projects, and AI, or EPS files for your print needs. If there are any specific files types that are needed let your designer know.
Shane Burke, www.beezink.com
