Correct Artwork: Vector vs Bitmap (What You Need for Printing Your Logo)

A great logo only works if it prints properly.

Even if you’ve never heard of vector artwork before, you’ve definitely come across it. It plays a big role in design and is especially important in the promotional products world.

Vector files usually come as AI, EPS, or sometimes PDF files (depending on how they’re saved), and they’re the gold standard when it comes to printing your logo onto products.

Why is vector artwork required for promo items?

In short, it comes down to quality.

Vector artwork allows your logo or design to be scaled to any size without losing clarity. Whether it’s printed small on a pen or large on a banner, it stays sharp and professional.

On the other hand, low-quality files can ruin the final result. If your logo looks blurry, pixelated, or distorted, it reflects poorly on your brand. If people can’t clearly read your message or recognise your logo, the product isn’t doing its job.

Most decoration methods used in promotional products rely on vector artwork, including:

• Screen printing
• Pad printing
• Laser engraving
• Embossing

These methods require clean, editable artwork.

Raster (also known as bitmap) files like JPEG, PNG, and BMP are made up of pixels. When these files are enlarged or adjusted, they lose quality and can’t be reliably used for production. This is where you start to see jagged edges or blurriness in your logo.

Is vector artwork required for every decoration method?

Not always.

Some processes work well with high-resolution raster (bitmap) images, including:

• Embroidery
• Sublimation
• Full colour digital printing (photo-style prints)

In these cases, a high-resolution image file (usually 300 DPI at size) is often suitable. For photographic designs, vector artwork isn’t always possible or necessary.

Still not sure what you have?

That’s completely normal—this is where a lot of people get stuck.

At Desktop Promo, we check your artwork before anything goes to print. If you’re unsure, just send it through and we’ll let you know if it’s suitable.

If needed, we can also redraw or convert your logo into vector format. In many cases, we can take care of this for you, making the whole process simple and stress-free.