Image File Types Guide

File formats in graphic design are usually divided into two categories - Raster Files and Vector Files. Depending on the application for your design, you’ll need to use a specific file type. This guide will help you to know what you’ll need. Contact KP A&D for further help or to request new files for your project.

Raster images are composed of pixels. A pixel is a block of color that is used to compose an image. Raster images and limited by their size and resolution, which is the number of pixels contained in the image. Raster images are not suitable for expanding in size and will become pixelated once they the limits of proportion and resolution. Raster images can easily be scaled down without issue.

Images found online or in print will be raster. 

Vector images are composed of mathematical equations which are calculated by your computer and then displayed as a design. These equations assign color, size, width, and appearance to shapes. Vector images are not formed with pixels, so this makes them perfect for scaling up. They will never become blurry or pixelated and are not constrained by proportion and resolution.

Vector files are great for logo design projects because they are so easy to scale.

DPI and PPI are units used to define whether an image is High-Resolution or Low-Resolution. DPI is dots per inch and PPI is pixels per inch. In essence, they are the same, but you may see either unit used. These units of measurement are used to define the overall number of dots or pixels contained within 1 inch of the image.

There are two color models that are important to define when using your design. CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black) is used primarily for printing purposes. RGB (Red, Blue, Green) is used for web and other digital applications. Be sure to select the file with the correct color model when submitting your logo for print or digital applications.

JPEG or JPG is probably the most well-known file format. The JPEG file format is commonly used in online formats, photography, email graphics, and large web images.

PNG or Portable Network Graphic is recognized as the new and improved GIF. PNGs have the ability to display transparency and also to display a higher color depth. This makes them perfect for web design.

PDF Files or Portable Document Format is an image file format used to display graphics and documents in the correct way on any device, application, web browser, or operating system. PDF Files can display vector images, raster images, fillable form fields, and much more. PDFs are a very popular file format used to send the final design into production by printers.

SVG or Scalable Vector Graphics is an XML-based vector image file format. The main characteristic of SVG files is that you can scale your design and compress it to make the file size less than other file formats.

AI Files are used by Adobe Illustrator to save and edit Vector Images. EPS or Encapsulated PostScript files are also used by Adobe Illustrator, and printers for large printing projects.