Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing has changed the game for custom apparel. You can print full-color, photorealistic designs straight onto t-shirts, hoodies, and totes with almost no setup compared to traditional screen printing. But one decision trips up almost everyone starting out: should your artwork be vector or raster? The choice affects print sharpness, color vibrancy, scalability, and even how much time you spend fixing files before they hit the printer. Get it right and your prints look crisp and professional; get it wrong and you end up with blurry edges or washed-out colors. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each format helps you choose the best one for your specific design. This guide breaks it down simply so you can decide with confidence when it comes to Vector vs Raster for DTG.

What Raster Files Actually Are

Raster files are built from tiny pixels—think of them as a grid of colored dots. JPG, PNG, TIFF, and PSD are all raster formats. They excel at capturing photographs, complex gradients, and photorealistic artwork because they can store millions of subtle color variations. Most people start with raster files because that's what comes out of a camera or phone. For DTG, raster files shine when you want to print full-color images with soft shading, skin tones, or detailed photography. The printer lays down ink dot by dot, matching the pixel grid almost exactly.

Why Vector Files Are Different

Vector files use mathematical paths and points instead of pixels. AI, EPS, SVG, and PDF (when saved as vector) are vector formats. They describe shapes, lines, and curves using equations, so the file stays perfectly sharp no matter how large or small you make it. Vectors are the gold standard for logos, text, icons, and any design with clean lines or solid color blocks. In DTG printing, vector files give razor-sharp edges and consistent color fills because the printer converts the paths into precise ink placement.

When Raster Files Work Best for DTG

If your design is a photograph, watercolour painting, or anything with lots of natural gradients and shading, raster is usually the way to go. DTG printers are built to reproduce pixel-based images with incredible detail, especially on dark garments with white underbase. High-resolution raster files (300 DPI at print size) deliver smooth transitions and lifelike colors. Just keep file size reasonable—printers handle large files slowly, and overly compressed JPGs introduce artifacts that show up in the print.

When Vector Files Give You the Edge

Logos, typography, simple illustrations, and designs with solid color blocks look sharper when saved as vectors. Edges stay perfectly crisp even when printed at different sizes on various garments. Vectors also make color changes easier—swap one spot color for another without quality loss. If your artwork has fine text or thin lines, vector prevents them from blurring or breaking up. Many DTG printers convert vector paths to high-resolution rasters internally, so you still get excellent detail without the file size bloat of huge raster images.

How to Prepare Raster Files for DTG Success

Start with high resolution—300 DPI at the final print size is the sweet spot. Use PNG for transparency or TIFF for maximum quality. Avoid heavy JPG compression that creates visible artifacts. Boost contrast slightly and sharpen edges if needed. Flatten layers and embed any fonts to prevent surprises. For dark garments, make sure your white under base is set up correctly in the print software. Clean, high-quality raster files print beautifully when you give the printer enough data to work with.

How to Prepare Vector Files for DTG Printing

Save vector artwork in formats printers accept—AI, EPS, SVG, or PDF. Convert all text to outlines so fonts don’t shift. Use CMYK color mode for print accuracy (though many DTG RIPs convert RGB fine). Keep file size reasonable by simplifying paths and removing unnecessary nodes. If your design has gradients or effects, rasterize those parts at high resolution and place them as embedded images within the vector file. This hybrid approach gives you the best of both worlds: sharp vectors for text and lines, plus smooth gradients where needed.

Common Mistakes That Hurt Print Quality

Using low-resolution raster files is the number one culprit for blurry prints. Stretching a small JPG to fit a large print area creates visible pixelation. Saving vector artwork with raster effects (like drop shadows) without flattening them properly can cause artifacts. Forgetting to outline text leads to font substitution disasters. Always preview your file at actual print size and check color mode—RGB can shift on some printers.

Choosing the Right Format for Your Project

Ask yourself what the design needs. If it's a photograph or anything with lots of shading and detail, go raster. If it's a logo, icon, or clean graphic with text and solid colors, go vector. Many pros use a hybrid approach: vector for the main elements and high-resolution raster embeds for photos or gradients. This gives maximum sharpness and flexibility.

Final Thoughts

Choosing between vector and raster for DTG printing doesn't have to be confusing. Raster excels at photorealistic images and natural gradients, while vector delivers unbeatable sharpness for logos, text, and clean graphics. Prep your files carefully—high resolution for raster, outlined paths for vector—and always preview at print size. The right format choice, combined with good preparation, gives you vibrant, professional prints that customers love. Next time you send a design to the printer, you'll know exactly which format fits best and why. Your custom apparel will look better than ever.