Vector File Formats Explained: AI, EPS, PDF, SVG and CDR

Vector File Formats Explained: AI, EPS, PDF, SVG & CDR

If a printer has ever asked you for "a vector file" and you weren't sure which one to send, you're not alone. AI, EPS, PDF, SVG and CDR can all hold vector artwork, but they aren't interchangeable. Each was built for a different job, and sending the wrong one can mean a delay, a missing font or colors that don't match your brand.

Here's what each format is for, and which one to send.

What Makes a File "Vector"?

A vector file stores artwork as paths: points joined by lines and curves. Because the shapes are described mathematically, the same file can be printed on a business card or a banner without losing sharpness. A JPG or PNG stores a fixed grid of pixels instead, so it blurs when it's enlarged. Our raster vs. vector guide covers that difference in more detail.

One catch: PDF and EPS files can hold either type of artwork. Saving a JPG as a PDF doesn't make it vector; it just wraps the pixels in a new file. If you zoom in a long way and the edges turn blocky, the artwork inside is not vector.

The Five Vector Formats You'll Meet Most

AI (Adobe Illustrator). AI is Illustrator's native working file. It keeps layers, editable text and artboards, which makes it the best master copy of a logo. Many print shops, sign makers and screen printers work in Illustrator, so it is often their first request. The drawback is that you need Illustrator, or compatible software, to edit it properly.

EPS (Encapsulated PostScript). EPS is an older format that almost every design and print program can open. That is why it became the standard "send us your logo" file for decades. It handles transparency poorly and is less convenient to edit than AI, but it is still a safe choice for vendors on older systems.

PDF (Portable Document Format). A PDF saved from a design program can keep the full vector artwork and open on any computer. That makes it ideal for proofs and for printers with PDF-based workflows. When you ask for one, ask for a "vector PDF" or "print-ready PDF", not a scan.

SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics). SVG is the web's vector format. Browsers display it directly, file sizes stay small, and it stays sharp on every screen. It is the right choice for a website logo and icons, and many vinyl cutters and laser engravers accept it. It is RGB-based, so it isn't the file to rely on for exact print colors.

CDR (CorelDRAW). CDR is CorelDRAW's native file. Some sign shops, engravers and garment decorators work in CorelDRAW and will ask for CDR. Like AI, it is an editable master file.

Which Format Should You Send?

Who's asking

What to send

Why

Commercial   printer

Vector   PDF or AI

Keeps   the artwork and colors intact

Screen   printer or sign shop

AI   or EPS (CDR if they use CorelDRAW)

Editable   paths and spot colors

Embroidery   digitizer

Any   true vector (AI, EPS or PDF)

Clean   edges to build stitches from

Web   designer

SVG,   plus a PNG

Displays   sharply in browsers

Vinyl   cutter or engraver

SVG,   EPS or CDR

Clean   cutting paths

Unsure? Send an AI file and a PDF together; between them they cover almost every vendor.

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What to Keep on File?

Keep a master set of your logo: AI for editing, EPS for compatibility, PDF for proofs, SVG for the web and a transparent PNG for everyday use. Store your font names and color values (Pantone or CMYK) with them. Then any vendor request takes seconds.

Only Have a JPG or PNG?

Renaming or re-saving a pixel image won't create a vector file. The artwork has to be rebuilt as paths. Auto-trace tools can handle very simple shapes, but logos with small text or fine detail usually need to be redrawn by hand.

That's the work we do at Mango Drawing. Every logo is redrawn manually, never auto-traced, and delivered in AI, EPS and PDF by default, with SVG, CDR and other formats available on request.

Need your logo in the right format? Get a vector conversion quote and send us whatever file you have.