What's a VECTOR?

Vector illustration is also referred to as "Vector Graphics", "Digital Artwork", "Technical Illustration", or "Camera-Ready Artwork". Vector illustrations are based on mathematical formulas and are comprised of paths connected by anchor points that define points, lines, shapes, and curves. The most important benefit of a vector illustration is that it can be sized up to ANY size without loss of resolution. That means when you produce your vector artwork on anything - like signs, shirts and any other apparel, business cards, or any type of promotional product - your artwork is always crisp and clean.

Note: ALL vector logos, vector graphics, and vector images on this page were hand-illustrated by Bret Stout.

More specifically, a vector graphic is a hand-illustrated image that is made up of points, lines, and curves that are based upon mathematical equations, rather than designated amount of pixels. This means that no matter how large or small or how close you zoom in on the image, the lines, curves, and points remain smooth - with ZERO loss of resolution.

There is no fast solution or program to convert a bitmap logo or image into a vector file. A vector logo or vector arrtwork has to be hand-illustrated in Adobe Illustratorcreating an elaborate series of points (vector points) and handlebars (bezier curves).

The Three (3) Types of Vector Illustrations

There are three different types of vector illustrations - a "Vector Logo", a "Vector Graphic" - or a vectorized photo image known as a "Vector Image". That's right, you can have a photo image vectorized, although it is much more time consuming for the technical illustrator to complete because of all the colors and shades. It is a process of redrawing the entire image on top of the original photo. Here is an example of a "Vector Image":

"Vector Image"

(you can right-click to view larger, more detailed image)

If you enlarge the photo above (bitmap), or even reduce the size of the photo image, it will become very pixelated. If you enlarge (or reduce size) the vector version above, it will remain crisp and clean at ANY size. If you try to have the photo image printed on a t-shirt or other product, it will look blurry. You do not want that. That is why a printer vendor will require a vector file. Here is another example:

For car wraps, vector artwork is ideal for full custom wraps. Vector image can sometimes be needed to create realistic components - like photo-real tail lights on the back of racecar (this one was a 69 Camaro):

Vector Images can be based on anything - even photos of people:

Again, vector images created from photos can get very time intensive to complete. But Bret Stout can create vector from any image or photo.

"Vector Logo" or "Vector Graphic"

Most vector artwork is referenced for logos and graphics. While most anyone can design a logo, very few can actually create a vector version of that logo. Every logo Bret Stout creates will have a vector version, in addition to any/all formats needed for various applications and platforms. When Bret designs a logo or graphic for you, he will include a vector version of the logo or graphic at no additional charge.

Once you have a vector logo, you can also enhance that logo in Photoshop - which can be used on your website, Facebook, and other online platforms.

While you can create very elaborate textured logos in vectors, you just have unlimited options with texturing, filters, and image overlays in Photoshop.

Bottomline is that anyone can create a logo - but to use it on any thing other than online (like a website or Facebook), you will be required to have a vector version of your artwork.

Creating a Vector Version of Your Existing Logo

Have a logo already and you need a vector version of it? Have you been to the printer vendor and was outraged by the surcharge fee that were going to charge you. Especially when you have a very complicated logo...

Bret Stout has the expertise and experience to redraw nearly any logo AND at a very affordable price.

Again. Blurry Bad. Perfect Good.

Again, all images are either BITMAP or VECTOR. If you enlarge a bitmap image, it will quickly become pixelated or blurry. A vector image will NEVER get pixelated or blurry no matter how large you increase/decrease the size. You have to have a vector file for any and all of your artwork to go to print.

Vector logos are an art and skill set in itself. Whether you have an existing logo or have one designed by Bret Stout, you will need a vector version to get anything printed - from signage, t-shirts-embroidery on apparel, caps, etc. And Bret Stout has been buidling vector logos for over 20 years - a skill set rarely found with other designers.

The Cost of NOT Having a Vector File

If you take your logo, graphic, or image image WITHOUT a vector version, the printer or embroidery vendors will require a vector version of your logo - and will require a surcharge for them to create one. This can be very costly to you - a vector logo can cost you between $200 to $1,500+ depending on the complexity of your logo. And unfortunately, creating clean and perfect vector artwork (what you need and expect) is a skill set that requires many, many years to perfect - and most print vendors do not have these capapabilities. The other unfortunate part is the fact that even though you have to pay for this vector creation surchage, many will not release it to you - their way of ensuring that you have to come back to THEM to get your next printing or embroidery order. Yes, they most likely will hold you hostage knowing you don't want to have to pay this surcharge again to a different printer or embroidery vendor.

Unless you own your own vector logo, graphic, or image, you will face this surcharge over and over. You don't want that.

But what if you owned your own vector logo? Life is good. You can use it for ANY printer vendor moving forward - never having to pay a surcharge EVER again.

Want to see over 400 samples of logo designs and graphics, you might want to jump straight to
Bret Stout's Badass Logo Design and Graphic Samples:

<Click here for badassery>

Do You Need an Hand-Illustrated Logo Design?

Do you have a logo for your company or business startup? Do you have something in your head and you need help getting it out and making it come to life? All you need to do is contact Bret Stout. From hand-illustrated logo and custom topography - and then illustrating in vectors, Bret has the skills and expertise to design for you - not just a logo - but REAL "Brand Identity". And then you will have a real brand, EVERYTHING changes.

Merchandising Examples of Bret Stout's work:

Bret first designed every logo on this page – and then redrew the entire illustration in vectors – for use as bumper stickers, decals, banners, t-shirts, signs, auto wraps, and more.

In the above banner you see the image of Chesty Puller (the most famous US Marine) – and Bret drew this in vectors so it could be blown up to any size without loss of resolution.

In fact, EVERYTHING on the above banners were illustrated in vectors.