Vector files, unlike rasters, are made up of lines and shapes, not individual pixels, so you can stretch and resize them to your heart\u2019s content without reducing the quality or fidelity of the source file. Rasters, on the other hand, look best at a specific size or smaller, as they\u2019re made up of hundreds or thousands of tiny dots corresponding to specific colors and their placement within the larger image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because rasters are typically compressed from a raw source file into a lossy format, they\u2019ll likely have artifacts and other visual issues even at their native resolution \u2014 and it\u2019ll only get worse as you resize, crop, and shift colors for different uses over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s even more difficult if you have a hand-drawn design with no digital file available to work on. But that\u2019s another subject we\u2019ve covered before<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here, we\u2019re exploring vector image formats and why you need them for your design projects, whether it\u2019s for a logo design or vector graphics for other purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you start thinking about how to make a vector image, it\u2019s important to know the basics of when and where to use vectors versus raster images.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019ve ever tried to increase the size of a typical image you find online, you\u2019ve likely encountered the number one use case for vector images – also known as SVG files<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vectors are perfect representations of the original format<\/strong> \u2014 no matter the size \u2014 and they scale up or down without issue. You could argue that vectors don\u2019t have pixels, or you could argue that they have an infinite number of pixels because they can be zoomed infinitely!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vector images come in various vector formats, such as EPS, SVG, and AI, which are essential for different applications like printing and web design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is in stark contrast to rasterized or pixelated images that are best seen at one native resolution or smaller and cannot be manipulated without losing quality and fidelity in the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The secret is that vectors are made up of scalable lines and shapes<\/strong> embedded with true colors, not the fuzzy, color-per-pixel matrix you\u2019ll find with raster images. Funny enough, though, most images you encounter online are intended to be unfaithful representations of their sources, mainly for bandwidth reasons \u2014 and meant for highly specific applications such as appearing on a certain webpage at a certain size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Indeed, a rasterized image\u2019s file size can be a fraction of its uncompressed, full size<\/strong>. Multiply that by dozens or hundreds of images found on a typical webpage. It can mean the difference between a page that loads in a second or two and something that crawls along for 10 or 20 seconds before a visitor hightails it and leaves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Speaking of speed, your best bet is to ensure your site loads as fast as possible to adhere to the latest SEO standards and to ensure your site ranks higher in search engines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our FreeLogoServices Website Builder<\/a> ticks all the boxes regarding website speed, security, and uptime. It\u2019s also 100% compatible with vector images and vector logo designs.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, however, vectors are a bit more complicated to create than your average raster image, which typically limits their use to logos and designs that are frequently resized \u2014 even though raster images are popular formats for exported versions of vector images.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But regardless of your bandwidth needs or the file type of your image\u2019s final export, working with a vector gives you the most flexibility and maneuverability when it comes time to create that webpage, newsletter, or app, since you can easily manipulate and stretch a vector prior to a rasterized export \u2014 just make sure to keep the original source vector handy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, without further ado, here\u2019s how to make a logo with vector images.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because there are so many image creation and editing tools out there \u2014 from quick online tools to full-featured desktop apps that take years or decades to master \u2014 it can be hard to know where to start with vectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the most popular tools is Adobe Illustrator<\/a>, an industry-standard graphics software for Mac, PC, and other platforms. Illustrator and similar editing tools can process vector data in unique ways, enabling users to perform a variety of actions on geometric shapes and paths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other solutions, such as our free online logo maker tool<\/strong><\/a>, take a lot of the guesswork out of creating a vector logo by providing you with templatized designs and step-by-step guidance that can help novices create vector-based logos with minimal fuss and time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Illustrator and other full-featured desktop tools, with their steep learning curves and expensive pricing structures, are better for seasoned designers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In general, if you\u2019re new to vectors, you\u2019re probably better off with an online tool that will walk you through creating a vectorized logo quickly and easily.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you’re designing a corporate logo with a little bit of flourish for a social media profile or just something simple for your portfolio, you’ll have to make some decisions before you get to the design bits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For vectors and logos, less is more, so pick two or three colors that work well together<\/strong> and consider the overall direction you want to take with your vector logo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you have your colors and concept set, you’re ready to start designing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you start clicking away, grab a pad of paper, crayons, colored pencils, markers, pens \u2014 whatever you have available \u2014 and sketch out a handful of ideas<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Try different colors, shading and accents; the more ideas you try here, the better equipped you’ll be when you jump on the computer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Especially if you’re not well-versed in computer design, you’ll save a ton of time and headache with reliable tools before you start fumbling around through menus, keystrokes, and clicks. Even a pen and a piece of lined paper are great for jotting down quick ideas that would take you much longer to realize on the computer \u2014 and they may not work anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Illustrator, create a new blank document (File > New) and start with the shape tool. Pick one of your colors and begin drawing and manipulating shapes while using your reference sketches, layering where necessary and arranging everything into the concept and colors you chose in the previous step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Realistically, you\u2019ll need to be familiar with various design concepts and principles<\/strong> (and have a lot of time) to turn your blank canvas into something resembling a completed logo<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A logo editor can simplify the process of customizing logos, making it accessible even for those with no design skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s a basic primer<\/a> that may help you create a pretty simple illustration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you already have a rasterized logo or a design that you’d like to turn into a vector to be resized for a specific application, the good news is that you can use Illustrator or other vector-based design tools to trace your existing image and then tweak it from there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here’s a great article<\/a> from our friends at MakeUseOf that covers just that. However, note that it could take hours or days to properly vectorize an image, especially if you’re new to Illustrator or have a limited design background.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And, unless you’re looking to become a designer by trade, your time may be better spent taking advantage of tools that make the process easier and allow you to start by browsing designs, not staring at a blank screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our online logo making services<\/a> (and other online tools like ours) take a lot of the guesswork out of creating logos by providing you with various professional templates and already completed logos for you to modify, tweak, and save for your own use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Start by loading up our<\/strong> free logo creator<\/strong><\/a> and choosing from a few standard logo styles. <\/strong>The logo maker tool also offers a library of free icons, which you can use to enhance your logo designs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Why Vector Images?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Step 1: Choose Your Tool<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step 2: Pick Your Colors and Decide on a Concept<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step 3: Sketch It Out<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step 4: Start Designing Your Logo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How to Vectorize a Logo Design<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Creating a Logo from Templates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Examples](\"https:\/\/www.freelogoservices.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/step\/-1\/step1-1.png\")
<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Examples](\"https:\/\/www.freelogoservices.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/choo\/e-\/choose-logo-fonts.png\"){kind=logo}
<\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"Examples](\"https:\/\/www.freelogoservices.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/choo\/e-\/choose-logo-layouts.png\"){kind=logo}
<\/h3>\n\n\n\n