Vector vs raster: when to use SVG vs PNG
Why your logo is two file types in a trench coat — and how to tell which one your printer is actually asking for.
An SVG is a recipe — line, fill, stroke, curve. A PNG is a photograph of the result. The recipe scales infinitely; the photograph is what it is.
When to use SVG
Anywhere the logo will be re-sized: web headers, app navigation, billboards, vehicle wraps, embroidery, etching. Recraft v3 returns native SVG, so the paths are clean and editable in Figma or Illustrator.
When to use PNG
Anywhere the logo lives at a fixed size on a fixed background: avatars, OG images, email signatures, e-commerce product photography. PNGs preserve transparency, JPGs do not.
When to use PDF
For printers, always. Send PDF. Most print shops still treat SVG with suspicion and JPG with disdain.
Quick rule
If the file will be re-sized, send vector. If the file will be displayed once at a known size, send raster. Our brand-kit ZIP gives you both.