Raster Engraving vs. Vector Engraving: What's the Difference?

Raster engraving and vector engraving are the two types of engravings done using a laser engraving machine.

In this article, we will discuss raster engraving vs vector engraving in detail. We will also share which engraving is better in different scenarios and how you can do these engravings on materials.

What is Raster Engraving? 

Before diving into raster engraving, it is better to understand what a raster image is. After that, you will be able to understand how raster engraving works.

What is a Raster Image?

You might have zoomed in on images many times. When you zoom in on an image, you see small boxes or squares, which are called pixels. A raster image is made of tiny pixels, which is why it is also referred to as a pixel-dependent image.

When you use an inkjet printer, it also prints the image on a paper pixel by pixel. If you look closely at the print, you will realize that the printer has worked line by line. It prints all the dots in their original color. After completing all the dots, the image is completely printed. 

There won’t be any space left on the image and all pixels will be connected with adjacent pixels to create the image.

The quality of the raster image depends on the number of pixels. The higher the pixels, the better the quality. But the increase in the number of pixels also increases the size of the image.

How Does Raster Engraving Work?

Raster engraving is done using a raster image or graphics. The common file formats that you see, such as JPG, PNG, TIFF, and BMP, are raster images. 

When laser engraving is done using a raster image, the machine works like an inkjet printer. The laser beam is focused to a tiny point and then moves back and forth from side to side across the material, "drawing" the image line by line, pixel by pixel. 

Raster engraving can handle a wide range of image formats, including photos, illustrations, and text.

It also offers precise control over the depth and intensity of the engraving, allowing for 3d engraving effect.

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What is Vector Engraving? 

What is a Vector Image?

A vector image is a pixel-independent image. There are no pixels or square boxes even if you magnify the image. There are anchor points on the image, and these points are joined together with the help of a line or curve. It is quite similar to the Join the Dots activity that kids do at school. After joining the dots with lines and curves, you have an image.

In a vector image, there is only the outline or border created through the lines and curves. The inner part of the image remains empty, unlike raster images. SVG, AI, and EPS are the common vector graphics formats.

How Does Vector Engraving Work?

When laser engraving a vector image, only the outline is engraved. Therefore, vector engraving is often faster than raster engraving.

Vector laser engraving operates on a principle similar to laser cutting. Instead of cutting through the material, however, the laser beam marks lines along the desired engraving path and therefore requires less power than laser cutting.

Raster Engraving vs. Vector Engraving: Which One to Choose?

We have discussed that a raster image is made of pixels. Thus, these images are resolution-dependent. Any change in the resolution will alter the image's appearance and quality. If you try to raster engrave a low-resolution image on a large object, the engraving quality will be bad.

In contrast, if you raster engrave a high-resolution image on a small object, the pixels will not have enough space to show up. Thus, the size of the object to be engraved with a raster image should be according to the image.

On the other hand, vector images are pixel-independent. They are scalable to any extent, and it is why these are known as Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG). Therefore there is no limitation on the size of the object. Vector engraving can be done on objects of any size and there won’t be any compromise on the engraving quality.

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The second difference lies in the appearance of vector engraving and raster engraving. If you look at the raster engraving, it is bold and the engraving is clearly visible. When you touch raster engraving, you feel a 3D effect that is made by engraving each pixel on the object. If you need a 3D effect, raster engraving is perfect.

Vector engraving is relatively smooth, and there are lines only. 

Raster engraving is commonly used for:

• Photo engraving
• Decorative pieces
• Personalized items

Vector engraving is commonly used for:

• Marking
• Text and logos

Final Words

Raster engraving and vector engraving are both useful, but they are suitable for different purposes. Both have a distinct appearance, limitations, and pros & cons. We have discussed all these in detail to help users select the right engraving for their laser engraivng projects.