Vector Graphics
Images defined by mathematical paths and shapes — they scale to any size without losing quality, unlike pixel-based raster images.
Vector graphics are images described by mathematical instructions — lines, curves, shapes, colors, fills — rather than by a grid of colored pixels. The key property: vector graphics scale to any size without losing quality. Zoom in on a vector logo and it stays crisp forever; zoom in on a raster photo and you see pixels.
Vector vs raster
- Vector — defined by geometry (points, lines, curves). Infinite zoom. Small file size. Great for logos, illustrations, typography, technical diagrams.
- Raster — defined by a grid of colored pixels. Fixed resolution. Larger file size. Great for photographs and natural imagery.
Vector graphics in PDFs
PDFs can contain both vector and raster content on the same page. A typical business document has:
- Text rendered as vector (defined by font outlines)
- Logos as vector (SVG-like shapes)
- Photos as raster (embedded JPEGs)
- Charts and diagrams as vector
This hybrid approach is why a PDF with a headshot plus text stays sharp when you zoom in on the text but shows pixels when you zoom in on the photo.
What happens when you convert a PDF to an image
Converting a PDF to JPG or PNG rasterizes everything — vector text loses its infinite-scale property and becomes pixels at the chosen DPI. This is fine for viewing and sharing on social media, but bad if someone later wants to copy text from the "image" version.
Tools
- PDF to PNG and PDF to JPG rasterize at 72 / 150 / 300 DPI
- If you need to keep your logo as vector when converting to image, don't convert — share the PDF directly or use an SVG version of the logo separately