Raster to Vector

Vectorizing for Sign Shop-Vinyl Cutting

Fast & affordable vector format conversion within 24hrs with free signup! We convert logos, pdfs, images, graphics, Photoshop files, jpeg into vector format files.

Many sign shops create their image using single color vinyl cutouts that are pasted together on backing material to create the artwork the customer has ordered. Vectored files (or raster images to vector converted files) are a must for this process, as it creates smooth lines and contours that plotters are able to read. Vinyl plotters read the wire frame in a vector file converted from raster files and translate that into the motion of the needle, moving it across the vinyl material.

What makes vector file converted for vinyl cutting different from regular vectored files is the way objects are created. Graphics artist and designers, when creating vectored artwork from the original raster files, are more concerned with how the artwork looks visually, and are not concerned with the structure of the objects or how they are created. Objects can be created and placed on top of other objects to create a desired look, but since vinyl plotters look at the wire frame of each object, overlapping will create multiple cuts and excess of paths that could potentially ruin the material. For this reason, raster to vector artwork for vinyl cutting purposes is created as single, solid object without halftones and no overlapping.

Also, all outlines must be converted to curves through raster to vector file conversion. Otherwise, the plotter will read the outline as a single path running along the center of the outline. Converting outlines to curves is a process called raster to vector file, and the conversion creates a new path that follows the outside of the outline, making a solid object that can be cleaned and pasted onto the material, creating an outline around the artwork.

Our vector artists can create vector art for vinyl cutting manually so there are no issues in production. They will recreate the raster file (which is a made of a grid of pixels), and use a vector program such as Adobe Illustrator to redraw the design to solve the problem. Have CopyArtwork.com handle your vector needs so you know it is high quality when you get the image opened.