A vector version of a logo is a scalable graphic file format of the logo that uses geometric primitives such as points, lines, curves and shapes to represent the logo image. Unlike raster image formats like JPG or PNG, vector logos can be scaled to any size without losing quality. Some key advantages of using a vector logo are:
Scalability
One of the biggest benefits of a vector logo is that it can be scaled to literally any size for use in print, web, mobile etc without losing resolution or clarity. Raster logos on the other hand get increasingly pixelated when enlarged past a certain point. With a vector, you can resize to a tiny icon size or blow up to fill a billboard and the logo will remain crisp and clean. This makes vector perfect for today’s multi-channel world where brand consistency across mediums is key.
Editability
A vector logo file allows you to easily edit elements like color, shapes, text etc even after the logo has been created. This makes it convenient for refreshing the logo down the road or creating variations/versions for specific uses. With raster images, editing the actual logo artwork becomes difficult or impossible – you would have to go back to the source design files or recreate from scratch.
Small File Size
Vector file sizes are typically much smaller than raster equivalents. A vector logo may be only 10-100kb whereas a high resolution raster PNG or JPG can be over 1mb. The compact size makes vector logos faster to load on web pages and easier to store/transfer. This can be significant for mobile usage or websites.
Sharpness on Any Display
When raster images are sized up or viewed on high resolution displays, pixilation and visible loss of quality can occur. Vector logos on the other hand always render shapes and lines perfectly sharply – whether displayed small or huge, on low or ultra HD displays. So your logo will perpetually look clean and professional.
Color Consistency & Accuracy
Color information in vector files don’t rely on RGB/CMYK pixels like rasters. Instead colors are stored mathematically enabling extremely accurate representation and reproduction of brand colors consistently across all applications. This ensures logo colors are preserved when the file is opened or converted to various formats.
Compatibility & Versatility
Vector logo files are supported by a wider range of software applications and devices vs raster file types like JPG, PNG, GIF etc. You can not only use vector logos in print and digital design but also CAD/CAM, embroidery, vinyl cutting, laser engraving/cutting, large format printing and more. If you need your logo to go anywhere, vector is the most universal format.
What file formats can be used for vector logos?
Some common vector graphic formats used for logo design include:
SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics)
SVG is an open standard XML-based vector image format developed by W3C that has become the most popular choice for logo vectors due to its flexibility, small file size and web compatibility. SVG images can contain raster/JPEG formats inside for complex non-vector elements. SVG is supported by all major web browsers and graphic software.
EPS (Encapsulated PostScript)
EPS has been a long established standard vector format native to Adobe Illustrator. An EPS file can contain both vector and raster image data. It remains a common format for logo design and printing but lacks web compatibility and mobile support.
AI (Adobe Illustrator)
AI is the native vector format of Adobe Illustrator. Like EPS it can contain both vector and raster data. AI files are fully editable in Illustrator. The downside is poor web/mobile compatibility unless exported to SVG.
PDF (Portable Document Format)
PDF can preserve vector logo data so is useful for keeping branding consistent for documents/ stationary/marketing assets. Logos can be extracted from PDF back into fully editable AI/EPS/SVG formats if needed. PDF has broad compatibility across devices and apps.
CDR (CorelDRAW)
CDR is the native vector graphics format for CorelDRAW. It supports vectors, text and bitmaps. Useful for accessing logo source files created in CorelDRAW but has compatibility issues outside that software.
DXF (Drawing eXchange Format)
DXF is a CAD drawing file format used for vector technical drawings. DXF supports precise geometry and scale for CNC, laser, 3D printing etc. so can be used for vector engraving/cutting of logos. Limited support in non-CAD software.
How is a vector logo created?
Vector logos are digitally drawn using vector graphics software rather than through digital photography or scanning. Some ways vector logos can be created are:
Drawn in Vector Design Software
Specialized vector design tools like Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW allow artists to create logos from scratch by drawing paths and shapes. The vectors can be manipulated with complete control over every element. This is the most common and flexible approach for professional logo design.
Tracing a Raster Image
Existing raster images like JPG or PNG files can be auto-traced or manually recreated as vectors using path/shape drawing tools and the original image as reference. The resulting logo can be edited as needed. Tracing can convert old low-res raster logos into clean scalable vector formats.
Converting Text to Vector
If a logo consists only of text, the font characters can be directly converted into vector paths to enable reshaping, resizing and color changes while retaining high quality. Many design apps provide options to create vector text objects.
Generating with 3D Modeling Software
Some 3D modeling tools like Blender allow importing 2D raster images to extrude into 3D objects. These can then be rendered out into clean line art vector files. Helpful for logos with 3D geometry like spheres.
Using Vector Templates
Existing vector logo templates can be adapted by swapping in different text, icons, shapes and colors. While lacking complete customization, template logos provide a quick way to generate a vector logo graphic.
Why is vector better for logos than raster graphics?
There are several advantages that make vector more suitable than raster image formats like JPEG or PNG for logo design:
Infinitely Scalable
Being able to scale a logo infinitely without degradation is a key reason vectors suit logos. Raster pixels make logos blurry if enlarged too far. Vector lines stay crisp at any size.
Maximum Editability
With vectors you can freely edit colors, shapes, and elements as needed long after the initial logo is done. With raster you may be stuck with the original.
Perfect Reproduction
Vector mathematics and algorithms ensure your logo colors, proportions, and details are reproduced perfectly every time. Raster has variation.
Compact File Size
Small vector file sizes help your logo load and transfer faster online and use less storage space. Raster images bloat files.
Display Versatility
A vector logo will look razor sharp whether displayed on a phone screen or a billboard video wall. Raster pixelates on enlargement.
Easier to Use & Modify
The structured nature of vectors makes your logo easier to repurpose and adapt natively across mediums compared to raster pixels.
Forward Compatible
Vector graphics don’t lose quality or become outdated as display resolutions evolve. Raster images deteriorate over time without reworking.
What are the limitations of vector logos?
While extremely versatile, vector graphics do have some constraints:
Not ideal for extremely complex/organic shapes
Intricately complex shapes like animal print patterns or landscapes with millions of leaves are difficult to reproduce accurately with clean vectors. Raster images may capture them better.
Can’t replicate continuous tone photographs
Vector shapes struggle to faithfully capture subtle tones, gradients and noise like a photograph without appearing artificial. Raster has the advantage here.
Difficult to create 100% natively in vector
Very often some raster elements like photos will still be required in heavily graphic vector logos. Creating purely vector can be time consuming.
Lack of support in older browsers
While SVG/vector support is excellent in modern browsers and devices, compatibility can be an issue in outdated ones. Raster JPG/PNG enjoy near universal support.
Not ideal for print reproduction some times
For highest quality commercial printing, a high resolution raster file specially prepared for the required print process is sometimes recommended over vector.
Challenging to animate natively
Vector by itself lacks timeline animation capabilities inherent to video and GIF formats. Complex movement requires coding or conversion to movie file formats.
Non-standard platform support issues occasionally
Some specific software, apps, devices or file transfer issues may present problems for certain vector formats compared to more compatible raster JPG/PNG which are near universally supported.
How to Choose the Right Vector Format?
Choosing the optimal vector format depends on the specific usage:
Format | Characteristics | Ideal Usage |
---|---|---|
SVG | – XML based code – Animatable – Highest web compatibility – Supported on mobile/desktop |
– Digital: websites, apps, social media |
EPS | – Native Adobe format – CMYK support – High print compatibility |
– Print: packaging, publications, marketing material |
– Retains brand consistency – Broad compatibility |
– Documents, presentations, datasheets | |
AI | – Fully editable in Illustrator – CMYK/spot colors |
– Source logo design file |
DXF | – CAD engineering format – Precision geometry/scale |
– Signage, engraving, machining |
In many cases, having the logo created in both SVG and EPS formats will provide the flexibility to use in digital and print applications. SVG should be considered the minimum vector format for modern digital usage.
What are the options for vector conversion?
If you only have a raster logo or need to convert an existing vector to a different format, there are a few options:
Exporting/Saving As in Design Software
Vector design tools like Adobe Illustrator provide export options to save/convert supported vector formats like AI, PDF, SVG, EPS etc. This provides high quality conversion between formats.
Exporting from Image Editors
Some raster software like Photoshop CC also allow export of basic vector formats like SVG and PDF. This can trace and convert raster images into vectors. Quality varies.
Online Converter Tools
Numerous online vector converters exist that allow uploading raster/vector files to output as different formats. Useful for one off conversions but quality can be hit or miss.
Programming Libraries
Code libraries like ImageMagick, GD, Cairo etc can programmatically convert between vector formats. This automates large batch conversions with scripting.
Third Party Conversion Services
For high volume vector conversions, specialized conversion services offer automated, high precision conversion of logos and images to your required format and specs.
The best results are achieved using the native design software the logo was built in. Failing that, online converters or conversion services can tackle third party vector conversions. Batch conversions are best handled with programming libraries.
How to reduce the size of vector files?
While vectors are inherently smaller than raster equivalents, here are some ways to further optimize vector logo files:
Remove Unused Elements
Delete any stray points, shapes, colors that are not essential to the logo appearance. These extras bloat file size.
Reduce Number of Nodes
Minimize the number of anchor points and nodes used in paths and curves. Fewer nodes results in less data.
Limit Number of Colors
Restrict your palette to only the essential colors. Don’t define colors that go unused.
Avoid Heavy Effects
Minimize or remove gradients, shadows, glows and filters. These all add significantly to file size.
Simplify Shapes
Use basic geometric shapes where possible instead of complex custom shapes that require more coordinates.
Convert Text to Paths
Type converted to outlined paths is typically smaller than text with fonts embedded.
Reduce Decimal Place Precision
Settings like “Minify SVG” in Illustrator will round decimals in coordinates to reduce size.
Save as Binary SVG
SVG saved as a binary file will be smaller than text-based SVG, but less human readable.
Try Different Vector Format
Certain vector formats like PDF or DXF can sometimes be smaller than other formats for the same logo.
Optimize with SVG Compression
Online SVG compressors like SVGOMG can thoroughly minify and compress SVG files to minimal size.
Following these best practices when originally creating the vector logo will ensure optimal small file size. For existing logo files, a combination of editing to simplify and compressing with specialty tools will shrink vector sizes.
How can you use vector logos on websites?
Vector logos in SVG format are perfectly suited for use on websites and mobile apps. Here are some ways to implement:
IMG Tag
“
Simplest implementation. SVG is treated like a raster image but remains responsive.
CSS Background Image
“`css
.logo {
background: url(logo.svg);
width: 200px;
height: 100px;
}
“`
Set vector as CSS background image of sized container. Stays crisp at any screen scale.
Inline SVG
“`html
“`
Embed SVG code directly into HTML. Provides greater control for interaction and styling.
Object/Iframe
“`html
“`
Alternative ways to embed SVG. Usually not required over inline or img.
CSS Vector Sources
“`css
.logo {
background: url(“data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,“);
}
“`
Data URI scheme allows SVG to be encoded into CSS. Increases HTTP requests but SVG is always cached.
SVG enables logos to look great on screens of all pixel densities while remaining fast loading and responsive. For best results, using SVG inline provides full control over logo styling and interactions.
Conclusion
Vector graphic formats bring numerous advantages like scalability, editability and device versatility that make them the ideal choice for professional logo design in today’s multi-channel digital world. With digital media predominating over print now, expect SVG to continue growing as the new vector standard, with EPS maintaining relevance for traditional print usages. Understanding the capabilities of vectors allows your brand’s logo to consistently appear at its best everywhere it is used.