What Is A Vector Logo?
, Posted by simpleLOGOstudio.com at 8:27 PM
WHAT IS A VECTOR LOGO?
Many websites try to answer the question of "vector logos" with a whole bunch of jibberish, jargon and technical doublespeak.
I've written a very thorough article that explains the question CORRECTLY, and in layman's terms. Take a minute to read through it to get a deeper understanding of vector graphics. I even created this article with some visual aids to drive the point home using the ever trusty "YOUR VECTOR LOGO" graphic!
As you can see, YOUR VECTOR LOGO looks great on your computer monitor. It has a nice shine, and looks pretty clear at this size...right?
One might even find that when printed using a standard inkjet -- it looks OK-ish.
Many people make the incorrect assumption that since the image looks great on their computer screen, they can use that same exact file/image for things OTHER than the computer screen. This is a common misconception shared by 70%-85% of my clients, so if you fall into this group, don't feel bad!
The simple fact is that the larger you make a JPG, the more it loses resolution. VECTOR graphics never lose resolution!
If we were to scale YOUR VECTOR LOGO up to billboard size, and then stand an one inch away from it, the logo would look like the image above. GO AHEAD AND CLICK on the graphic to get a detailed look at the precise curves and corners, with no loss in fidelity or sheen. Lines and edges have the kind of razor-sharp definition that generally moves people to describe the look of a vector logo as "clean."
NOW that you've witnessed the crispness of a vector graphic, take a look at this sorry version of YOUR VECTOR LOGO. If you were to take the web-ready JPG and enlarge it to tabloid size paper (11" x 17") it would look like the graphic shown here.
Examine the jagged formations around the letters closely. THIS could easily be YOUR COMPANY'S LOGO if you did not have a vector logo file !!
Even a high-resolution (300/350 dpi) JPG WILL pixelate when increased beyond it's original size.
A vector file is like a MAGIC FILE. Vector graphics can be used for nearly EVERY purpose imaginable in regards to having your logo printed.
If you want to have a vinyl-cut banner featuring your logo, the person creating the banner needs a vector file. Many T-shirt shops will request a vector logo. Billboards, business cards, signage, coffee mugs... could all be produced using the SAME EXACT VECTOR FILE
When you open this type of file in a vector graphics program (such as EPS, PDF, WMF, SVG or VML) , you can scale it up or down as much as you want and, as shown above NEVER LOSES RESOLUTION.
If you are serious about your brand, there is NO QUESTION that you NEED a VECTOR LOGO. Because of this, my personal/professional advice is this: even if you don't hire ME to create it: YOU SHOULD require a VECTOR LOGO from your designer.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
In order to manipulate a vector logo, you will need to own a vector graphics program like CorelDraw or Adobe Illustrator. We also provide raster (JPG) images that can be opened in PhotoShop or other photo-editing software.
In order to manipulate a vector logo, you will need to own a vector graphics program like CorelDraw or Adobe Illustrator. We also provide raster (JPG) images that can be opened in PhotoShop or other photo-editing software.
And now, the nerdier, more technical definition of the term vector graphic:
Digital images created through a sequence of commands or mathematical statements that place lines and shapes in a given two-dimensional or three-dimensional space. A vector is a representation of both a quantity and a direction at the same time. The file that results from a designer's work is created and saved as a sequence of vector statements (X/Y coordinates). Vector files are preferable in page layout, typography, logos, sharp-edged artistic illustrations (e.g. cartoons, clip art, complex geometric patterns), technical illustrations, diagramming and flowcharting.
"The creation of digital images through a sequence of commands or mathematical statements" simply means that your vector graphics software sees the shapes in your logo as coordinates, and not PIXELS.
If your logo were scaled UP to fit on the side of a work van, the coordinates adjust mathematically to the size of the van. The same file could alternately be mathematically scaled DOWN to fit onto a lapel pin with ZERO DISTORTION!!
