Artwork Q & A

The ins and outs of graphic design leave my head spinning AND I work with client logos on a daily basis. Graphic design is complicated, so I’ve compiled answers to some of the most popular questions I’ve gotten from clients.

● What is an .EPS file? An .EPS file is a vector art file. Vector art is created using lines, points, curves, and shapes. Most vector art is created using Adobe Illustrator.
● What’s the difference between an .EPS file and an .AI file? Not much (at least for all of our intents and purposes). An AI file is an .EPS file. AI is just a proprietary format created by Adobe Systems. .AI files can only be created and saved when working in Adobe Illustrator.
● What’s the difference between an .EPS and .GIF, .BMP?, .JPEG, .JPG, or .PCX? Those file names are bitmap art. Bitmap art uses pixels that are saved in a file as a series of numbers. Pixels are tiny dots that create images. Perhaps the most important difference between vector art and bitmap art is that vector art can be edited and modified while bitmap art cannot be altered; making it impossible to change shape, color, or size without distorting the image.
● Can I copy and paste a .JPEG image into Illustrator and save it as an .EPS file? NO! Please do not even waste your time doing this. Saving a .JPEG as an .EPS does not magically change it’s composition from pixels to lines and shapes.
● Why can’t you use a .JPEG and other bitmap files? Most of the time, your logo has to be altered to fit on whatever promotional item you are buying. For example, the same size logo that is used on a water bottle cannot be used on a pen. There are also times when clients want something added, taken off, or a color changed on a logo they send me. We’re talking major distortion if I attempt to change anything on a .JPEG image!

Hopefully the above Q & A will help clear up some of your questions and provide you with a better understanding of why we need your logos as .EPS files. If you still have questions, please don’t hesitate to ask!

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