What is a Vectorization?

Besides most of our clients are printers, sometimes we receive orders from minor clients, people that want to create a one time t-shirt. Some of them don’t understand our services or the technical needs to create an amazing apparel.

This blog is to increase your knowledge about vectorization and how it works.

What is a Vectorization?

Image vectorization is the process of converting raster (bitmap) images into high-quality vector images through multiple Illustrator tools such as Interactive Trace, Pen, Brush, Stain Brush, etc.

What is Raster or Bitmap Image?

Raster images are bitmaps consisting of square pixels (dots) that when you scale them up they significantly lose their quality. This causes images to look either blurry or even sometimes unrecognizable and distorted. The most used raster file formats are JPG, BMP, TIFF, GIF, PNG, RAW, etc.

Below you can see a sample of a resized jpeg image:

What is achieved with the Vectorization?

The original image – previously pixelated – has an infinite resolution with the ability to be edited as many times as you like.

What is the Vectorization used for?

Vector images are use in various printing or digital platforms to obtain precise and high quality resolution for the visuals. The common areas of use are large and small format digital printing, sign printing, vinyl cuts, posters printing, billboards printing, t-shirt printing, laser cuts, embroideries, flash animation, etc.

What can you vectorize?

Everything can be vectorize, as long as the original image does not contain any effects. Check out this examples:

Now you are a vectorization expert! Do you have any other doubt? Write to us to hi@pixelshive.com and we would be happy to help you.