Vector vs raster in plain English
A raster image is a grid of colored squares called pixels. Photos are raster, and so are most PNG and JPG logos. Every raster file has a fixed number of pixels, so when you stretch it onto a banner or yard sign, each pixel gets bigger and the edges turn fuzzy or jagged. A vector image stores shapes as points, lines and curves. Your software redraws it at whatever size you need, so the same file prints a crisp half-inch logo on a business card and a crisp three-foot logo on a 3×8 ft banner. That is why printers ask for vector logos: one file works on everything, with no quality loss. Photos stay raster, and that's fine as long as they have enough resolution for the print size.
Which file types to send
| File type | Vector or raster | Good for print? |
|---|---|---|
| AI (Adobe Illustrator) | Vector | Best — original editable artwork |
| EPS | Vector (usually) | Great — widely accepted by printers |
| SVG | Vector | Great — common from web designers and logo tools |
| Either | Great if saved from vector software; a scanned or pasted image inside a PDF is still raster | |
| PNG | Raster | OK only at high resolution for small items; keeps transparent backgrounds |
| JPG | Raster | Weakest — no transparency, compression blurs edges |
| Screenshot or social media image | Raster, low resolution | Not print-ready; needs a redraw |
Why logos get blurry in print
Most blurry logos trace back to one of three things. First, the logo came off a website or social profile, where images are sized small to load fast. A 300-pixel-wide image looks fine on a phone and falls apart on paper. Second, the file has been saved as a JPG over and over, and each save adds compression fuzz around the edges and blotchy patches in solid colors. Third, the original designer only delivered a PNG for the web and the vector master was lost. Print needs roughly 300 DPI at the final size, so a 3-inch-wide logo needs about 900 pixels across just to be acceptable, and a banner needs far more. No setting can add detail that was never there; the fix is a vector version.
How to tell what you have
Check the file extension first. AI, EPS and SVG are almost always vector. For a PDF, open it and zoom in to 800% or more: if the edges stay smooth, it's vector; if you see stair-step pixels, it's an image tucked inside a PDF. For PNG and JPG, look at the pixel dimensions in the file info and divide by 300 to get the largest size it prints well in inches. A logo that is 600 pixels wide is good for about 2 inches. Renaming a JPG to .eps or .svg changes nothing; the pixels are still there. If you're unsure, send whatever you have. Every order includes a free pro file check, and we'll tell you whether it's print-ready before you approve a free digital proof.
Logo cleanup and vector redraw for $49
If all you have is a blurry PNG or a photo of your sign, a logo cleanup and vector redraw is $49. A designer rebuilds the logo as clean vector artwork, matches the colors and lettering as closely as possible and sends back files you can use everywhere: print, web, apparel and signs. You keep those files, so the problem is fixed for good. If the logo needs more than a redraw, a new logo design is $299 with three concepts and two revisions. For other print files with resolution, bleed or color issues, a file fix is $29. First proofs arrive within 2 business days, and design rides in the same cart as your print order.
All-in pricing. Free proof. No checkout surprises.
Blurry logo? Get a clean vector redraw for $49 — files you keep for print, web and apparel.
Blurry logo? Get a clean vector redraw for $49 — files you keep for print, web and apparel. ⚡ Or build a full kitFrequently asked questions
What logo file format is best for printing?
A vector file is best: AI, EPS, SVG or a PDF saved from vector software. Vector logos print sharp at any size, from a business card to a banner. A high-resolution PNG can work for small items, but it cannot be enlarged without losing quality.
Why does my logo look blurry when printed?
The file is usually a low-resolution raster image, often pulled from a website or social profile, or a JPG that has been compressed repeatedly. Print needs about 300 DPI at the final size. The reliable fix is redrawing the logo as vector artwork.
How do I know if my logo is a vector file?
AI, EPS and SVG files are almost always vector. For a PDF, zoom in to 800% or more; smooth edges mean vector, jagged pixels mean an embedded image. PNG and JPG files are always raster.
Can I convert a JPG logo to vector?
Not by saving or renaming it. Automatic tracing tools often produce lumpy edges, so a clean result usually needs a designer to redraw it. A logo cleanup and vector redraw at i Can Print That is $49.
Is a PNG good enough for business cards?
Sometimes. A PNG that is at least 300 pixels per inch at its printed size can look fine on a small item like a business card. It will not scale up to banners or signs, so a vector version is the better long-term file.