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Graphic Design vocabulary · Image Formats & Resolution

Raster image

Meaning in graphic design, with examples

/ˌræstər ˈɪmɪdʒ/nounCore term

In graphic design, raster image means: A digital image made of a grid of tiny coloured squares called pixels, such as a photo. It has a fixed resolution, so it loses quality when enlarged too much.

In Turkish: raster görsel, bitmap görsel, piksel tabanlı görsel

How it is used

Used when comparing file types or explaining why a logo looks blurry. JPEG, PNG, TIFF and PSD files are raster formats; people also say bitmap or pixel-based image.

Example sentences

  1. A raster image is fine for the website, but for the vehicle wrap we need the vector logo.

  2. Photos are always raster images, so check their size before you place them in the layout.

Common collocations

  • raster file
  • raster format
  • raster graphics
  • rasterise a layer
  • vector graphicAn image made of points, lines and curves defined by mathematics rather than pixels, so it can be scaled to any size without losing quality. Logos and icons are usually vector graphics.
  • pixelThe smallest single point of colour in a digital image or on a screen. Raster images are made of thousands or millions of pixels arranged in a grid.
  • resolutionThe amount of detail in a digital image, shown by how many pixels it has or how many pixels or dots fit into one inch. Print usually needs about 300 dpi at final size.
  • JPEGA very common raster image format for photos that makes files small by removing some detail. It does not support transparency and loses quality if saved again and again.

More terms: Image Formats & Resolution

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