Vector vs. Bitmap

What graphics you should submit with an order and why

It’s important to us that you get exactly the order you need delivered when you need it. This requires customers to send our team usable art in PDFs for manufacturing to ensure we have everything you need to provide your customers with quality sign components. Usable art in PDFs takes less overall time to process and helps eliminate confusion or ambiguity that can occur when files need to be converted or remade, leading to improved accuracy and speed.  

Here is an overview and some quick tips to understand the two types of graphics, and why you should regularly submit usable art files.  

Vectors vs. bitmaps and how to tell the difference 

At Gemini, we require vector art files for most of our products and, while we can accept bitmap files (JPEG, PNG, TIF, or BMP), they can’t be used for “cutting paths” – directions Adobe Illustrator software follows to create production-ready artwork. Even if the bitmaps are of high resolution and include measurements, they can still only be used for approximate pricing on a quote. If the quote is converted to an order, vector artwork still will need to be provided and the file must go through the entire process again, which can lead to further delays. All the reason to ensure the artwork is submitted as a vector, when at all possible, as it helps ensure the most efficient ordering process and benefits all involved.  

Vector artwork is made of vector graphics – points, lines, curves, and shapes based on mathematical formulas. When an art file includes vectors, that means it can be sized to however large or small you want or need it to be without losing any quality, making it that much easier to develop the product you want.  

Vector graphics

Bitmap graphics, also called raster graphics, are composed of tiny squares (pixels) that are arranged in a rectangular grid formation that shows a wider variety of colors; allows for more color editing; and provides clearer light and shading than vectors. Yet, when you start enlarging a file submitted as a bitmap (BMP), the edges might look jagged, and the quality is lost.  

Bitmap graphics

Digital photographs, including the images you see online, are typically bitmaps, while vector files work better for digital illustrations, complex graphics, and logos.  

The easiest way to tell the difference between vector and bitmap artwork is to zoom in on it. Vector artwork will remain clear and sharp while a bitmap will become grainy or pixelated.

Original size	Zoomed view

The best type of files to send us and why you should save it as a PDF

Beyond ensuring you include vector art for expedited processing, the best type of files to send us are .ai (Adobe Illustrator), .pdf (Portable Document Format), or .eps (Encapsulated Postscript). Regardless of which file you start with; we recommend exporting or saving it as a PDF as we have limited ability to handle file types from other software such as .CDR (CorelDraw) or .fs (Flexi) as we use Adobe Illustrator for most of our art processing.

When you provide vector artwork in a PDF and include accurate measurements, we can immediately begin converting a quote to an order without waiting for conversion to a viewable PDF or have measurements added. Vector art, even if it’s well-made in a proprietary format, runs the risk of losing information or being incorrectly converted between software. But a PDF helps us ensure we’re seeing the same thing as you.  

Additional tips to help ensure a smooth ordering process

Beyond sending us usable artwork in the preferred format, here are some other tips to help ensure you’re getting the order you need as efficiently as possible: 

• Align your email message and art file. Sometimes, for example, we see an email that notes ½ in thick material while the file says it’s 3/8 in thick. These discrepancies lead to us spending extra time clarifying the request. 
• Double-check your measurements. We also see discrepancies between the scale noted in the file and labeled measurements. Other times the measurements may not work. For example, an art file might say 120 in w x 30 in h, but if you scale it to 120 in w it ends up lower or higher than the initial measurement.  
• Mention if a new order is meant to match a previous one. Being aware of this helps us properly meet all your expectations. 

6000.14