Vector vs Raster: When to Use Each

Vector and raster are different. Use the wrong one and your project breaks.

Raster is pixels. Photographs, paintings, textures. Every image you take with your phone is raster. Zoom in close enough and you see squares. That is the limit.

Vector is math. Lines, curves, shapes. Logos, icons, fonts. Zoom in forever and it stays sharp. That is the advantage.

Use raster for complex images. Photographs, digital paintings, anything with subtle color transitions. Raster handles millions of colors gracefully.

Use vector for design. Logos need to be scalable. Icons need to be sharp at any size. Typography needs precision. Vector does all of that.

Most professionals use both. Design in vector. Add texture in raster. Export in the right format for the job.

The mistake beginners make is using raster for everything. Your logo should never be a JPEG. Your photograph should never be a SVG. Know the difference.