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Go big with royalty-free vector graphics and stock vectors

Want to use the same image in all of your business’s marketing material? Vector graphics are the way to go. These computer graphics can be scaled up or down to any resolution without winding up distorted. Thanks to Shutterstock’s many talented contributors, you can find virtually any image you want as a vector design. Read on for creative tips on how best to incorporate vectors into your next creative project.

Using vector images for web design

  • Using a vector background for your website is a smart way to ensure that your image will retain its crisp resolution no matter what size you stretch or shrink it to. Abstract vectors can make beautiful, non distracting backgrounds.

  • Keep the tone of your brand in mind when selecting your vector. From gentle pastel watercolor washes to sleek and modern geometric designs, Shutterstock’s library has an array of vector backgrounds to match the tone of any brand.

  • If you would like to emphasize certain blocks of text or images on your website, try using a frame vector. Whether gilded and glowing or simple and black, frame vectors can be scaled to perfectly fit whatever it is you would like to highlight.

Using vector images for web design

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All about vector graphics

Vector graphics are designed to be scaled to any size without loss of resolution. This is in direct contrast to raster graphics, which are composed of a set number of little colored blocks called pixels. Due to this set number, raster graphics cannot be resized without loss of resolution. Fortunately, Shutterstock’s library features millions of vector graphics so that whether you need a design for a business card or a billboard, you will be able to find a vector you love and size it as you see fit.

Questions about vector graphics


What are vector graphics?

Vector graphics are works of art that use mathematical equations to create a design. They are made up of points, lines, and curves on a grid. When a vector image is scaled, it retains its original resolution so there is no loss of quality. This makes it an excellent design option for anyone seeking to put the same logo on a website, business card, ballpoint pen, or any other surface or screen. Raster graphics, on the other hand, are made up of colored, solid square pixels. These raster graphics come with a set number of points, which means they cannot be resized without becoming grainy and pixelated. Vector graphics are thus far easier to use if your intention is to scale your design to various sizes.


What are vector graphics examples?

Some popular vector graphics include: Nature vectors: Tree vectors: Tree vectors come in a variety of styles, from simple black line designs to verdant icons, true-to-life forest illustrations to fantastical renderings of trees with rainbow-colored flowers. Leaf vectors: Leaf vectors speak wordlessly of fresh new growth. They work well as logos for companies that hope to inspire a sense of confidence in their customers that business is blooming. Waves vectors: These designs can appeal to a number of different users, as they can be depicted as naturalistic blue ocean waves or futuristic sound waves. Popular symbols: Heart vectors: Heart vectors can be realistic 3D renderings of human hearts, hand-drawn heart doodles, clean and simple heart stamps, Valentine’s Day candy hearts, and much more. Star vectors: From night skies glittering with golden constellations to simple line drawings of shooting stars, these vectors work well in everything from wedding invitations to newsletters. Arrow vectors: Arrow vectors can wordlessly guide the gaze of your website viewers to the essential information that you don’t want them to miss.


What are vector graphics used for?

Vector graphics were initially used back in the 1960s and ’70s in computer displays. In the 1980s they were used in arcade games such as Asteroids. These days, vector graphics are used when a given image will need to be scaled. This makes them ideal for companies that want to use the same graphic across a number of mediums, from business cards to website logos, flyers to banners. Because our technological world involves many screens of dramatically different sizes, such as a smartphone screen and an IMAX screen, vector graphics have become an essential tool in modern design. These days, typography is usually created using vectors. 3D models and the computer graphics (CG) used in action and science fiction films also rely heavily on vectors.


How do you vector a logo?

If you intend to use a logo across a variety of marketing materials, from a business card to a website, sticker to flyer, then a vector logo is essential. To vector a logo, you will first need a logo design. You can either design a logo yourself or choose from one of Shutterstock’s millions of ready-to-go vector logo designs. If you are going with the first option, then you will need to use an image editing program. This requires a specific skillset, so you may want to opt for a professional designer, but be aware, a designer’s services do not come cheap. Regardless of what design method you choose, you will ultimately need to download the vector to your computer. Popular formats for vectors include PDF and SVG.


Where do you find vector graphics?

Shutterstock’s high-powered search engine makes it easy to find professional-looking vector graphics in no time at all. To get a wide view of the available options, simply type “vector” into the search bar. If the tens of millions of results are a bit overwhelming, you can easily narrow your search by utilizing the filter options. Add keywords such as “camouflage vector graphics” or “car vector” to the search bar. If you want a vector that will match your website’s color palette, select the main color you want featured in your image from the “Color” section. Want a flower vector that features women? Add “flower” to the search bar, and then select the “With people” option from the “People” section and “Female” from the “Gender” section. Play around with the other filter options such as “Age,” “Ethnicity,” and “Number of People,” to further hone in on the exact sort of vector you would like to use.

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