A vector image is a collection of connected lines and curves that produce objects. When creating a vector image in a vector illustration program, node or drawing points are inserted and lines and curves connect notes together. This is the same principle as "connect the dots". Each node, line and curve is defined in the drawing by the graphics software by a mathematical description. Every aspect of a vector object is defined by math. Text objects are created by connecting nodes, lines and curves. Vector images are object-oriented while raster images are pixel oriented. A vector object will have a "wireframe" underneath the colors in the object. In a vector object, colors are like clothes over the top of a skeleton. CorelDRAW and Illustrator create text and objects using vectors that can be easily manipulated.

Common vector formats include EPS (Encapsulated PostScript), WMF (Windows Metafile), AI (Adobe Illustrator), CDR (CorelDraw), DXF (AutoCAD), SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) and PLT (Hewlett Packard Graphics Language Plot File)

Vector artwork files are required for most promotional product decoration needs, such as pad printing, laser engraving and screen printing.

A raster image is a collection of dots called pixels. Each pixel is a tiny colored square. When an image is scanned, the image is converted to a collection of pixels called a raster image. Scanned graphics and web graphics (JPEG and GIF files) are the most common forms of raster images.

Raster images are more difficult to scale up or down in size and retain a crisp, quality image. The final print quality of a raster image is heavily dependent on the resolution it was created in. A minimum of 300dpi (dots per inch) at actual print size is generally an acceptable resolution for most 4 colour process and digital print applications.

Common raster image formats include BMP (Windows Bitmap), PCX (Paintbrush), TIFF (Tag Interleave Format), JPEG (Joint Photographics Expert Group), GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) , PNG (Portable Network Graphic), PSD (Adobe PhotoShop) and CPT (Corel PhotoPAINT).

Raster artwork is acceptable for decoration applications such as some 4 Colour Process print and most Digital Transfer / Dye Sublimation Processes.

Pad printing is a printing process that can transfer a 2-D image onto a 3-D object. A mask is made from the image to be applied (logo or text) and used with a plate to create an inkwell. A silicone pad is then used to transfer the image from the flat plate to the 3D surface of the product to be decorated. Pad printing is used for printing on otherwise impossible products in many industries including medical, automotive, promotional, apparel, electronics, appliances, sports equipment and toys. It can also be used to deposit functional materials such as conductive inks, adhesives, dyes and lubricants.

The unique properties of the silicone pad enable it to pick the image up from a flat plane and transfer it to a variety of surface (i.e. flat, cylindrical, spherical, compound angles, textures, concave surfaces, convex surfaces).

Pad printing decorations require Vector artwork.

Pad printing applies an image in solid colours and is most often one or two colour images.

A screen is made of a piece of porous, finely woven fabric called mesh stretched over a frame of aluminium or wood. Originally human hair then silk was woven to make a screen mesh; currently most mesh is woven of man-made materials such as steel, nylon, and polyester. Areas of the screen are blocked off with a non-permeable material to form a stencil, which is a negative of the image to be printed; that is, the open spaces are where the ink will appear.

The screen is placed on top of the object to be printed such as paper or fabric. Ink is placed on top of the screen, and a fill bar (also known as a floodbar) is used to fill the mesh openings with ink. The ink that is in the mesh opening is pumped or squeezed by capillary action to the substrate in a controlled and prescribed amount, i.e. the wet ink deposit is proportional to the thickness of the mesh and or stencil. A squeegee moves toward the rear of the screen and the tension of the mesh pulls the mesh up away from the substrate leaving the ink on the surface.

There are three common types of screenprinting presses. The 'flat-bed', 'cylinder', and the most widely used type, the 'rotary'.

Most often, the public thinks of garments in conjunction with screenprinting, however the technique is used on tens of thousands of items, including decals, clock and watch faces, balloons, and many other products. The technique has even been adapted for more advanced uses, such as laying down conductors and resistors in multi-layer circuits using thin ceramic layers as the substrate.

Screen printing requires Vector artwork.

Screen printing is generally applied in solid colours.

Laser Engraving is a method in which the design is burned into the article made of metal, wood or glass. A laser beam is controlled by a computer which ensures that the design can be very finely and precisely reproduced. Laser engraving is not possible with colours as it does not introduce a colour to the object. The colour is determined by the colour of the material or the base layer below the one being engraved. This technique gives an elegant and permanent decoration to the products it is used on. Traditionally used on glass, wood and metal – some unusual examples of laser engraving are on apples, egg shells and stones. Some laser engraving techniques allow for an image to be engraved internally to a piece of glass or crystal, creating complex 3D structures within an object.

Laser engraving requires Vector artwork.

Internal 3D Laser engraving requires 3D artwork most commonly supplied in MAX, OBJ or 3DS file formats.

Digital Heat Transfers use a special printing surface that includes an adhesive substance. The image is printed onto the surface and applied to the product to be decorated. When heat is applied, the adhesive transfers to the product surface and carries the ink with it leaving the logo, text or image on the product. When used in garment printing, the resulting image can have a heavy feel when compared to the rest of the garment.

Digital Heat Transfers are suitable for applications which require rich color gradients in the image applied to natural fiber surfaces such as cotton.

Digital Heat Transfers can be used with either Vector or Raster artwork.

Dye Sublimation Transfer is similar to digital heat transfer, however the adhevise substance is not required. The image, text or logo is printed onto a printing medium. This is then applied with heat to the product to be decorated. The dye sublimation process vaporises the ink from the printing surface and binds it to the product surface. Dye sublimation is suitable to synthetic garment fabrics and is best not used with cotton.

Dye sublimation is also commonly used for products besides apparel such as plastics, metals and ceramics.

Dye sublimation can use Vector or Raster artwork.