VECTOR vs. RASTER- The Resolution
Issue
You'll want to use your new logo in a variety
of sizes - some small, some large. This won't be a problem
with the VECTOR formats we provide you. Since VECTORS are
based on mathematical equations - they can be used at any
size. VECTOR file formats always output at the highest resolution
of the device you're using to print with, so you'll always
be assured of the best reproduction quality available.
RASTER or pixel based images are a different
issue. Because they are created using tightly packed pixels,
these images (.JPG, .TIF,. .GIF) must be in the resolution
of the device that they're being used on. On a monitor that
equates to 72 dpi (pixels or Dots Per Inch), but in print
that requirement balloons to a minimum of 266 dpi. RASTER
images should not be enlarged as the pixels will become
visible. Simply changing the print resolution of a 72 dpi
image to a 266 dpi image will NOT address this problem.
To get around this, simply scale your VECTOR image to the
size required, and create a RASTER image from that.
Any form of electronic reproduction (except
for Flash designs and animations) requires RASTER images
such as .GIF and .JPG. Because of the way they're created,
RASTER images lend themselves to special effects more readily.
Also, many office software products utilize RASTER images
to import artwork. You still need RASTER versions of your
new logo, but these should always begin life as your VECTOR
image.
Resolution for Raster
Images of your Logo
Resolution is a measure on how compact you store the data
of an image. Depending if you are going to display your
logo on the screen or if you want to print it, you use different
resolution.
Screen
If you are going to display your logo on the screen you
should always use 72 dpi, unless you want to be able to
resize it.
Printer
In order to determine the resolution for your logo you need
to know which printer you are going to use. To store your
logo in a higher resolution than the printer can print is
pointless.
To scan an image in higher resolution than
300 dpi (Dot Per Inch) is for example in most cases unnecessary
if you are going to print the image on an ordinary laser
printer. The image quality will not improve in printing;
it will just take longer to print. |
