Vector Artwork Glossary

Short answer: this glossary explains the vector and print terms you are most likely to meet when preparing logos and artwork, in plain English.

Anchor point

A point on a vector path where a line or curve starts, ends or changes direction. Clean artwork uses as few anchor points as the shape needs.

Auto trace (image trace)

Software that converts pixels to vector shapes automatically. It is fast, but it follows blur and compression noise, often creating many unnecessary points. Compare manual vector tracing.

Bézier curve

The type of curve used in vector graphics, shaped by anchor points and direction handles. Smooth, controlled Bézier curves are the basis of a good redraw.

Bleed

Extra artwork beyond the trim edge of a printed piece, so no white edge shows after cutting. Your printer specifies how much.

CMYK

Cyan, magenta, yellow and black: the ink colours used in most full-colour printing.

Closed path

A shape whose start and end points join. Cutting machines and fills need closed paths.

Colour separation

Splitting artwork into one layer per ink colour, as used in screen printing. Usually confirmed with the printer.

Digitizing

Converting artwork into an embroidery stitch file (for example DST or EMB). It is a separate step from creating vector artwork.

DPI / PPI

Dots or pixels per inch: the resolution of a raster image at a given print size. Vector artwork has no fixed resolution.

DXF

A CAD file format commonly used for laser, CNC and engraving work.

EPS

Encapsulated PostScript, an older vector exchange format still requested by many printers. It can contain pixel images, so it is not always true vector.

Gradient

A smooth blend between colours. It works on screen and in many print methods, but may need simplifying for screen printing, vinyl or embroidery.

Kerning

The spacing between individual pairs of letters. Matching it matters when rebuilding lettering.

Knockout

An area where an underlying colour is removed so the top colour prints cleanly or the garment shows through.

Master file

The editable source version of a design (often AI or PDF) from which other formats are exported.

Node

Another word for an anchor point.

Outlined text

Lettering converted into shapes so it displays correctly without the font installed.

Pantone (PMS)

A standardised spot-colour system used for consistent brand colours in print.

Path

A line or shape in vector artwork, made of anchor points connected by straight or curved segments.

Raster image

An image made of pixels, such as JPG, PNG or a photo. It loses quality when enlarged. See raster to vector.

Resolution

The amount of pixel detail in a raster image. Low-resolution images look blurry or blocky when enlarged.

RGB / HEX

Colour values for screens. HEX is the web shorthand (for example #4338CA).

Spot colour

A specific pre-mixed ink, rather than a mix of CMYK, often specified with Pantone.

Stroke

The outline of a vector shape. Strokes are often converted to filled shapes (expanded) for production.

SVG

Scalable Vector Graphics, the vector format used on the web and by many cutting machines.

Vector graphic

Artwork made of mathematically defined points, lines and curves, which can be scaled to any size without losing sharpness.

Weeding

Removing unwanted vinyl after cutting. Very small details are hard to weed.