Vector graphics are preferable to raster graphics for packaging design because they can be scaled to any size without losing resolution or image quality. Vector files use geometric shapes rather than pixels so images retain clarity when resized. However, raster graphics are needed for photographs since they store images as a map of pixels. High resolution photos above 300 dpi are required for good print quality, and images should not be enlarged beyond their native size. Using the CMYK color mode and requesting physical samples are also recommended to ensure accurate color reproduction.

1. packagingtips
Which to use for packaging?
Raster vs Vector
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2. Intro
When it comes to designing and printing your
product packaging, you want to aim for crisp quality
and vibrant colors. Product packaging defines your
products and can help your brand stand out from
your competition.
To perfectly achieve high-quality packaging print, it is
important to know what type of graphics to use for
your packaging designs: Raster or Vector?
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3. What are Raster Graphics?
Raster graphics or bitmaps are images consisting of
tiny rectangular dots/pixels in grid formation to
represent an image. Raster images are commonly
made from photo scans or digital camera captures
and is best suited for non-line art images.
Note: Common raster file types are JPG, PNG, GIF,
BMP, and TIF.
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4. Pros of Raster Graphics
Pros: Great for showing subtle color gradations
and complex compositions.
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5. Cons of Raster Graphics
Cons: Since raster graphics are pixel based
images, scaling the image will cause image
degradation which will result in jagged and rough
edges. This is important to know, because if your
packaging is utilizing raster graphics, you have to
ensure your images are large enough that your
print quality will not be affected.
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6. What are Vector Graphics?
Vector graphics consists of paths that define geometric
shapes to create an image. They don’t lose quality
when scaled or edited, which allows for more flexibility
than raster graphics. Vectors can also be easily
converted into raster graphics if required.
Note: Common vector file types are EPS, SVG, PDF, and AI.
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7. Pros of Vector Graphics?
Pros: Designers love vector images because
they can easily manipulate the image in any
shape or size without losing resolution. No
matter how much you resize the image, you will
never lose quality, meaning your quality of print
will always be at its best.
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8. Cons of Vector Graphics
Cons: With vector graphics, getting multiple
complex smooth color gradation is much more
difficult than raster graphics.
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9. Which is Best for Packaging?
Vector: It is better off utilizing vectors to reduce the
risk of low-quality images for any designs that use
geometric shapes. With vectors, you can expand,
compress, widen or lengthen to fit any dieline
without losing quality.
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10. Note: We recommend our clients to use vector files whenever
possible to ensure the highest quality when printing.
That means that photographs taken on a camera cannot
be vectorized if you want to achieve the exact same look.
If you have rasterized graphics that can be vectorized,
you can recreate it in Adobe Illustrator or any vector art
software. This option is only for graphics that can be
redesigned with mathematical shapes, lines and curves.
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11. Which is Best for Packaging? Part 2.
Raster: Photographs are always in raster format
because that’s how the files are saved on cameras.
They need the individual pixels to replicate real-life
images that are being captured. If you want to display
a photo of your product on the packaging, you have to
ensure that it meets the requirements for the highest
quality of print.
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12. Note: Be sure that your photographs are in the highest
quality to avoid any potential problems. The image should
be taken or made exactly to the specifications you need.
For photos that are smaller than the required use for
print, it is strongly advised that you don’t enlarge it past
it’s native size. It will drastically lower the quality of the
photo and will ultimately result in a poorly printed
product.
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13. Tips for High-Quality Printing
Step 1: Use a high resolution image of at least 300 DPI to achieve the
highest quality of printing. We cannot guarantee the best quality if the
images or graphics have a DPI lower than 300.
Using an image with a lower DPI is still acceptable however, you will
begin to notice that the clarity of your print starts to decline. Your print will
still look great from afar, but up close you will see a drastic change in
print quality.
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14. Step 2: To ensure that the colors of your packaging matches
exactly what you want when printed, make sure to use the
CYMK color space for all your images. If your designs or
images are not converted from RGB to CMYK, you will not
receive accurate color when printing because printers
operate in the CMYK color space.
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15. Step 3: To be confident with your product packaging
designs and print, it is generally a good idea to
request a box sample to analyze and identify flaws
that were not visible in the online proofs.
There is nothing more satisfying than seeing your
product packaging at production level quality.
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16. packagingtips
Thanks for reading!
Feel free to ask any questions you may have on this topic
in the comments!
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