Vector Logo

Raster graphics are images that are defined in terms of a generally rectangular grid of pixels, or picture elements. Each pixel is one small square of colour, which, when combined with other pixels side by side, merge together to form one solid image to the eye.

Where raster graphics are defined in terms of individual pixels, vector graphics are actually stored as mathematical rules - widths, heights, curves, proportions, ratios. Where raster graphics have a set height and width and look pixelated when stretched beyond these boundaries, vector graphics render themselves to the space given to them, such that they are resolution independent.

Vector based logos is not based on pixels any longer. It is based on points set at proportional distances, joined with lines and curves, and filled with a solid black colour. When drawing curves in vector graphics programs, a number of points are defined and dragged such that a smooth curve is plotted. This curve is independent of dimensions but is saved as in proportions and ratios such that it will scale to any resolution.

Vector artwork can be modified and stretched without havinng to worry about loss of quality, clarity or sharpness. Because of their mathematical origins, Vector Graphics are readily scalable without distortion.

Again, a number of formats exist for storing vector graphics, each with their advantages. It is important to note that, by their very definition, vector graphics are SMALL in comparison to raster graphics when it comes to file size. Since they are not saving information on each and every pixel, but rather rules for rendering, file size is cut immensely. The universally accepted format for vector graphics, particularly when it comes to company logos and sending files to print, is EPS - Encapsulated PostScript. PostScript is a format developed by Adobe to describe pages to a printer, plotter, or screen. Rather than storing straight data it stores instructions for the makeup of the page. Fonts are stored as individual character vector objects, for example, so they can be printed at as high a resolution as the printer can print. Macromedia's Flash technology is an excellent example of vector graphics working at their finest - whatever the window size, vector elements of the Flash movie appear crisply anti-aliased, and individual frames can even be printed in high resolution due to the vector-based nature.

A good question. At first glance, vector graphics seem to overcome all the difficulties of raster graphics. They can be resized to any size without loss of quality, and pixelation just doesn't occur. File size is also greatly reduced. However, each format has an individual purpose. A photograph cannot be expressed as a vector graphic because it simply isn't vector data. A sunset cannot be defined mathematically, at the risk of starting a philosophical argument on the world around us. The real world is not vector-based. The table in front of you has an infinite pixel depth, infinite variations in colours, infinite variations in relief and texture. Vector graphics are reserved for images such as typefaces, lines, curves. Complex vector images can be created but they have been created specifically in vectors. Photographs and complex raster effects like lens flares are defined with pixel-by-pixel lighting and colour effects, not with vectors.

Logos for businesses should always be created as a vector. Why? For maximum usage. It's all very well creating a great raster logo with lens flares and bevels and gradients but what happens when it needs to be on a huge banner in a hall? Or, at the other extreme, printed on headed notepaper. Raster effects just are not practical when it comes to corporate identities. With vector-based logos, the image will scale to any size and any application; raster graphics would require re-rendering each time a new size was required, not to mention problems with transparency across print and computer platforms.

Do you often need to print your company's logo on a variety of objects of different sizes? If your promotional activities require you to distribute branded giveaways of all sorts and also to have lots of advertising material then you certainly cannot do without vector logos. These are images that are created by high end drawing software which can then be used in a myriad number of ways to meet your requirements. Once you get a vector image of your company's logo you can enjoy a great deal of flexibility when it comes to these promotional activities.

Vector logos offer you a great many advantages because they are scalable and editable. Think of how much time and money you can save if you want to tweak your logo slightly for a particular purpose. You can make a variety of changes on it without having to go through the trouble of recreating it from scratch. Since they are scalable you can get high quality prints on anything from huge banners to tiny stickers. You can also get your logo printed on a variety of media without any problem. This includes anything from vinyl to latex to fabric.

One of the first things you will appreciate about having vector logos (apart from their high quality and clarity) is that you do not have to be dependent on a graphic designer to make every tiny change in your logo every time you plan to launch a promotional campaign or activity. You can easily make the changes as and when you require them. This will definitely bring down your advertising and marketing costs.

It is really very easy to get a vector image of your company's logo. It is usually done with the help of Adobe Illustrator or other high end software that is easily available. You could just get a graphic designer to do it for you after which the image is yours to change as and when you wish. This does not cost too much money and the initial expense is insignificant when compared with all the savings you will make over time.

Graphic design projects become extremely easy once you have vector logos at your disposal. Make sure that you get a reliable designer to make one for you and also ensure that the logo is your property and not the designers, else you will have problems using it in the way you want.

Vector logos make your promotional activities easy to manage and they also help bring down the overall costs. Get a vector image of your company's logo so that you can make all the changes you require.