After reading this, you’ll know how to spot true vector design files, avoid common pitfalls, and ensure your designs are suitable for any purpose. We’ll also touch on AI-generated logo file issues. And finally — perhaps most revealing — you’ll understand why a design that’s a true business asset simply can’t be too cheap by definition.
As a bonus, you’ll get a checklist of smart questions to ask your designer — to make sure you receive quality vector design files.
While the general design file formats are covered in File formats for logo, branding, and printing: what to ask your designer. A file type Guide (AI, PNG, SVG, PDF, and more), this article focuses on a specific issue: the common pitfalls affecting design files in vector file formats, particularly when raster images are stuffed into them – not for actual design purposes, but just to deliver a vector format, or when raster images are auto-converted into vector format.
To understand why this issue matters, let’s briefly outline the key difference between raster and vector images. Raster images (like photos) are made up of tiny squares called pixels (dots), which form the image. When enlarged and rescaled, they lose quality and become blurry or pixelated. Vector images, on the other hand, are built using mathematical paths instead of pixels, allowing them to be resized infinitely without losing quality. Raster images are typically saved as JPEG or PNG files, while vector ones usually come in SVG or AI formats.
Design Files: file extensions may mislead
Any raster image can be placed inside a vector file and saved in a vector format. While such a file may ‘look’ like a vector—it has a vector extension, such as SVG or PDF (PDF files can contain both vector and raster images and are used for both)—in reality, the image inside remains raster. As a result, the file behaves like a raster image: when rescaled, it loses quality, becoming blurry or pixelated. It is also unsuitable for certain design purposes, such as large-format prints (posters, banners, signage) or even small prints like business cards and flyers, let alone embossing, embroidery, and other applications where high-quality vector design files or true vector design files are required.
Let’s break down why some designers might give you these so-called ‘vector’ files.
So, why do designers do this? The answer is old as the world itself – they save time to make more money.
Some designers create their work in programs like Procreate on a tablet with a stylus, often showcasing the process for self-promotion. However, Procreate doesn’t generate true vector design files designed for scalable use. While it can export files in formats like SVG or PDF, these are essentially raster images packaged in a vector wrapper. This means logos, icons, and typography can’t be resized without pixelation. In many cases, a PNG with a transparent background is provided, but even that doesn’t allow for infinite scaling or detailed editing in software like Adobe Illustrator.
Why do they use such a program? Simply put, it’s easier to draw in programs like Procreate than in vector-based programs like Adobe Illustrator, where every detail has to be created or modified manually, step by step. Working in Illustrator takes time, effort, and a certain level of skill and knowledge to achieve the desired results.
File conversion: design files become vector, but the design loses quality and precision
Of course, designers can manually trace or convert their work from raster to vector format using Adobe Illustrator. However, this conversion process takes time, effort, and, for sure, skills. It often involves manually tracing the design with Illustrator’s Pen Tool or using Image Trace, which may not always produce perfect results — especially for detailed or textured artwork. This process can be tedious, and the final vector may still require refinements to match the original quality. So, while conversion is possible, it’s not a quick or automatic fix. Simply exporting from Procreate without this extra step means the file remains raster-based, even if saved in a vector-compatible format.
When designers sell such designs for EUR 20-30 for your use only, how much do you think, considering what we’ve discussed above, they charge for true vector design files? – a rhetorical question. And, more importantly, will they have the time, ability, and motivation to create them?
There are AI-based software tools (for a fee) that can convert raster images into vector graphics, but the result is rarely an exact match to the original raster image. Manual refinement is still necessary in vector-based programs like Adobe Illustrator. And, again – time, efforts and skills are required – this “refinement” is a labour-intensive process requiring attention to every detail.
Disguising practices behind design files and their impact on branding materials
So, when you come across phrases like ‘SVG on request,’ ‘We provide a vector file (SVG) upon request,’ or terms like ‘The source files are not editable,’ or ‘The files are intended for printing and web use’ in the terms of service, and see videos showcasing designs created with a tablet and stylus, pay close attention to what you might actually receive.
You probably won’t receive AI, EPS, or SVG files that are fully editable in Adobe Illustrator. Instead, you’ll likely get raster images packed into a vector file format, with all the limitations of raster images.
Designers’ motivation is clear — they create more designs and sell them at lower prices. But what does the client actually receive? It’s unlikely that the design files will be suitable for all the key elements of business, branding, and personal use—especially when it comes to printed materials, signage, product packaging, merchandise, or personal events like weddings, custom gifts, and custom apparel.
Even with raster files like PNGs, which they provide, there can be issues with their intended use. If the pixel dimensions are too small, they can’t be enlarged without becoming pixelated.
A tiny tip – if in doubt, ask the designer whether the SVG actually contains vector design.
The key advantage of true vector design files is that they give you everything you need for use across any application. That’s why AI files (created in Adobe Illustrator) are often referred to as ‘source files.’ In contrast, ‘mimicked’ vector files limit the use to a smaller range of applications.
By the way, as for promoted AI logo design and other AI-based designs – don’t expect vector graphics. AI programs like ChatGPT or DALL·E don’t generate them; they only produce raster images. As for the ‘design’ quality, that’s a matter of taste, and ultimately, it’s up to you to decide.
However, you may come across services offering AI-generated logo design with the promise of providing vector files. But how is that possible if AI programs don’t produce vector graphics?
The “vectorization” process typically involves using AI-based software tools like the ones mentioned above. After the AI generates a raster image (such as a logo preview), it’s converted to vector format using automated tracing tools that detect outlines and shapes. The result is then saved in a vector file format like SVG or EPS. So when they say, “You get vector files!” — it’s technically true: you do receive files with .SVG or .EPS extensions.
Tool and method used to create design files matter
All of this may seem to deliver good results — but there are some important limitations with such conversions. You likely won’t get an exact match to the original image, and the vector paths may be imprecise or messy. You might not have editable layers, curves, or points like a designer would create in Illustrator or Figma. Complex gradients, textures, or shading are often flattened or roughly approximated.
Such platforms only output vector formats — and that distinction matters if you care about quality, precision, or future editing. Making edits later might be difficult or even impossible — especially if you (or a designer) want to change just one part of the design: adjust a color, edit or replace text, reshape a specific section, or cleanly export it for various use cases (web, print, animation, etc.). The design file might look fine visually, but you can’t easily change individual elements like text, shapes, or colors – and there are no layers, so editing is like pulling apart spaghetti: hard and frustrating.
Bottom line: auto-traced or auto-generated vectors are practically always just “flattened” graphics — especially with complex designs — and not built for reuse, editing, or customization. It’s like getting a cake that looks pretty, but you can’t take it apart or change the ingredients. Want chocolate instead of vanilla? Too bad.
The real takeaway: Design file format doesn’t guarantee quality or editability of the design – the tool and method used to create the design files matter more than the file extension itself.
Quality design files are valuable assets for business and branding
The crucial advantage of professionally crafted design, manually created by a designer in vector software like Adobe Illustrator, is flexibility — the ability to easily edit individual components for any purpose. These true vector design files give you everything needed to modify or adapt your design for any branding purpose — from social media assets to billboards, merchandise, packaging, or animations.
✅ Editable Vector Design File Checklist
| Requirement | What to Ask or Look For | Why It Matters |
| File format | Ask for AI, SVG, or EPS (Illustrator-native, not just PDF) | SVG/PDF can be vector, but AI/EPS usually means built by a designer |
| Editable text | “Can I change the wording or font later?” | Outlined text = can’t edit. Editable text means flexibility |
| Organized layers | “Are the design elements organized into labeled layers or groups?” | Clean layers = easier editing, animations, and modifications |
| Named paths and groups | “Can I isolate and change specific parts easily?” | Named elements mean clarity, not a mess of unnamed curves |
| No auto-tracing | “Was this created natively in Illustrator/Figma, or auto-traced?” | Traced images look jagged, complex, and are hard to work with |
| Minimal anchor points | “Is the vector clean with minimal points?” | Too many anchor points = sloppy, hard to edit or animate |
| CMYK compatibility (for print) | “Is this file optimized for CMYK print?” | Crucial for professional printing quality |
| Font files included | “Are the fonts embedded or provided separately?” | Needed if you want to keep or edit the typography without substitution |
❌ Red Flags:
- They say “PDF or SVG” but don’t mention how the design file was created.
- They can’t send the original .AI or .FIG file.
- You open it in Illustrator and everything is a single flattened shape or has thousands of messy points.
Tiny tip. Ask the designer to open the design file in Adobe Illustrator and share a screenshot of the layers panel — you’ll instantly see if it’s editable or not (look for multiple named layers, shapes, or text instead of a single flat image).
For the conclusion. It’s your choice where to order, purchase, or generate design. The key issue to keep in mind is where and how you want to use it, and that idea should lead you to your decision.
At Levista.art, we always provide our clients with true vector design files because we believe in delivering the highest quality design for every project.
