Raster vs Vector: Key Differences, Uses, & File Types

For all the graphic designers working in the flourishing industry of custom-printed packaging solutions, it’s very essential to know about raster and vector image file formats. Whether you’re designing digital photos, graphical images, a brand’s unique logos, or other online illustrations, you’ll always encounter these two famous file types. Being the main groupings of image format in digital artwork, raster and vector-based file formats have their own specifications and functionalities. 

Not all the box surfaces are equally suitable for both, nor do they perform the same function on each packaging surface. Therefore, it’s really essential to understand their major differences. That’s why we have designed this comprehensive guide. Here, you’ll find a detailed description of the key differences, uses, and famous file types in which raster and vector images are formed and saved. So, let’s begin and boost the understanding of designing highly professional custom graphical illustrations for bespoke product packaging solutions. 

Introducing a Raster File: Everything You Need to Know 

As shared above, raster is a famous type of digital image file that represents visuals using a grid of pixels (tiny squares). Here, each pixel has a unique color value, and this is the distinction of this advanced-quality digital file format. Raster image files are resolution-dependent. It means, the more the quantity is tied to the number of pixels per inch (PPI or DPI), the higher the resolution of the image. This way, customers can get a high-detailed graphical printing on custom packaging boxes.  

Key Features of Raster Files:

The following are some of the unique characteristics of raster image files that stand out among the expert custom box designers and manufacturers: 

• The file is made up of pixels that are professionally arranged in a grid system.  
• Raster is best for detailed and uniformly-toned images printed on all across the custom packaging solutions. 
• This advanced image file is resolution-dependent. Blurriness or pixelation often results from scaling up.  
• Raster is best to support millions of colors and their gradients at a time.  
• It’s highly used in photo editing, web graphic designing, and digital printing of short orders of custom packaging boxes.  

A Brief History & Evolutionary Journey of Raster Graphics: 

These best-quality digital image files emerged in the 1950s and 1960s with the development of cathode-ray tube displays and early computer monitors. Dating back to the early days of digital imaging, raster image formats became the standard for graphic interfaces, publishing, and digital photography during the 1980s and 1990s, when computer systems were upscaled to an advanced level. 

Alongside the rise of digital design and printing technologies, raster files entered the field of custom packaging and packaging. Here’s how they are used in this industry to give remarkable results: 

• They are typically used for creating high-end and well-detailed custom artwork and photographic images on bespoke packaging boxes, such as food, cosmetics, healthcare, and retail items.  
• Expert packaging designers create professional raster proofs to show how a custom package will look when printed professionally.  
• High-resolution raster images are also highly used in creating modern packaging workflows, especially when the CMYK color model and printing process are used.  
• Businesses belonging to different industries highly use raster-based mockups to visualize packaging in real-world settings for presentation and publicity.  

Main File Formats in which Raster Images are Created & Saved 

The following are some of the major file formats in which raster images are designed and saved for a professional and memorable 3D experience: 

1-   JPEG/JPG Format (.jpg/ .jpeg):

• This file format is widely supported across various digital platforms and software.
• It’s excellent for creating high-resolution photographs and realistic images.  
• The JPEG file format excellently uses lossy compression to reduce file sizes for better results. 
• It’s commonly preferred in web designing, print previews, and top-quality product photography.  

2-   PNG (Portable Network Graphics with an Extension of .png):

• PNG file format supports lossless compression, guaranteeing no quality loss during the image design and saving. 
• Ideal for designing brands’ logos and overlays, PNG format is highly picked up for raster image creation as it supports transparency in alpha channels.   
• The PNG file format is best for preserving sharp details. This makes it the go-to option for UI, web graphics, and 3D mockups.  

3-   TIFF (Tagged Image File Format with an Extension of .tif/.tiff): 

• Provide top-quality, lossless format for raster image creation. 
• Highly used in professional photography, custom printing, and packaging.  
• This advanced file format supports layers, transparency, and high bit depths.  

4-   BMP (Bitmap Image File, Featuring an Extension of .bmp): 

• Support simple and uncompressed file formats. 
• BMP preserves all major and minor details without losing the file’s overall quality.  
• It’s one of the most widely used file formats for raster image files.  

What’s a Vector Image File? A Detailed Overview 

It’s an advanced digital graphic file that uses mathematical equations and geometric primitives, such as points, lines, curves, and other features, to represent images. Unlike a raster image file, it doesn’t show graphics in pixels. A vector image, storing data in shapes, lines, and fills, can be scaled up to any level without losing clarity and quality. Hence, it’s highly famous for its small-size file format, editability, precision, and matchless scalability. In custom box printing, a vector image file is the top pick in CNC cutting, laser engraving, and imprinting unique branding details. 

Historical Overview of Vector Image Files & their Progression in the Custom Packaging & Printing Industry 

From the 198s to the 1990s, vector graphics came into existence with the rise of Adobe Illustrator and CorelDraw. Being essential for logo and type designs, these graphics became the industry standard in the digital printing industry in the early 2000s. Brands started using them to create high-end, sharp, and clean graphic illustrations for their packaging solutions. With the advancement in laser engraving, digital die-cutting, and on-demand custom printing from 2010 to 2020, the vector image files became a key in the packaging and printing industry for creating: 

• Custom box dielines 
• Label cutting 
• Foil stamping 
• Spot UV printing 

Currently, a vector image file is one of the major needs in the e-commerce packaging industry. It’s central to high-end custom packaging, sustainable short runs, and digital tools for product design.  

Advanced File Formats in which Vector Images are Saved & Accepted 

The following are some of the most advanced and famous vector-based image file formats, highly accepted by businesses in the custom packaging and printing industry: 

1-   SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics): 

• It’s a highly used file format in web and digital design. 
• XML-based and are widely supported in different browsers. 
• Highly scalable without quality losses. 
• Commonly used for creating vector-based logos, icons, and attractive graphics.  

2-   AI (Adobe Illustrator):

• Feature .AI extension. 
• Picked up for creating professional graphic designs. 
• Native format for Adobe Illustrator, supports layers, and complex box designs.  
• Typically, preferred for printing vector-based designs and different branding details.  

3-   EPS (Encapsulated PostScript):

• Used for creating custom prints and graphical illustrations. 
• Highly compatible with different design programs, ideal for vector-based artworks. 
• Best for providing custom prints for logos and detailed graphical illustrations used in printing and bespoke packaging boxes.  

4-   CDR (CorelDraw):

• A best pick for CorelDraw users. 
• Being a native format for CorelDraw, CDR extensively supports vector features. 
• Commonly used in custom sign making, box printing, and layout designing.  

Hence, there is a brief overview of the raster and vector-based images and file formats in a tabular form for a better understanding:

Contact CPP Boxes for the Best-Quality Printing on Custom Packaging Boxes! 

Let every branding and product detail pop up on custom-printed packaging boxes! Reach out to CPP Boxes and ensure a top-quality and high-resolution printing of vector and raster-based images on demand. Contact us today at 888-395-0493 or quotes@cppboxes.com and get the ultimate results as per your needs and demands.