What's the difference between Raster Graphics and Vector Graphics?

Raster graphics are made up of a grid of pixels, also known as a bitmap. This would include pictures found on the web and photos you import from your digital camera. 

The more you enlarge a raster graphic, the more you stretch the pixels, resulting in a more pixelated image. 

Vector graphics are made up of paths that are defined by a start and end point, along with other points, curves, and angles along the way. A path can be a line, a square, a triangle, or a curvy shape. These paths can be used to create simple drawings or complex diagrams. 

Because vector images are not pixel or dot-based, they can be scaled up or down in size without losing quality. Once you’re happy with the size of your vector graphic, you’ll need to rasterize it and save it as a PNG to upload to Redbubble. 

For more information on designing (plus a list of specific blog links), check out our Advanced Design & Uploading Tips article.