Which file should you send for your stickers, vector or raster?

Vector, raster, PNG, PDF, DPI… if file talk makes your eyes glaze over a little, you're definitely not alone. The good news is that you don't need to be a designer to get it right. You just need to know what kind of file you have and what it needs to print nice and sharp.

So here's the friendly version: what vector and raster actually mean, which one I'd send, and how to make sure your stickers don't come out blurry.

Nov 10 2026

TL;DR:

What's the difference between vector and raster files?
A vector file is built from paths (math, basically), so it can be scaled to any size and stay sharp. A raster file is made of pixels, so it only has so much detail and can get blurry if you print it bigger than it can handle.

Which file type is best for stickers?
A vector file is the safest choice, and our recommendation is a CMYK PDF, since it keeps vector graphics and is set up for print.

Can I upload a PNG or JPEG for my stickers?
Yes! Raster files work fine as long as they're 300 DPI at the final print size.

Why does my sticker look pixelated or blurry?
Usually the file has too few pixels for the size you picked. The editor warns you when you upload low-resolution artwork, so you can swap in a sharper file before you order.

What's the difference between vector and raster?

Vector and raster are two ways of building an image, and the difference shows the moment you change the size.

A vector file (AI, SVG or PDF) is made of paths and curves described with math, so you can scale it as much as you like and the edges stay crisp. A raster file (JPEG, PNG, TIF or PSD) is a fixed grid of pixels, so if you blow it up too much, the pixels start to show.

Want to nerd out on color modes and bleed too? We have a whole guide on graphic design basics for stickers.

Which file should you send for your stickers?

If you have a vector version of your design, I'd always send that one. Only have a PNG or JPEG? No worries, that works too, as long as the file is big enough for the size you're ordering. Here's what each one needs.

Cartoon alligator holds magnifying glasses showing a vector and raster image; a sign lists file types like JPEG, SVG, PDF, and BMP.

Got a vector? Send a CMYK PDF

A PDF keeps your vector graphics, so text and fine details stay sharp. Saved in CMYK, it's also set up for print, so the colors come out more accurately than in a file made for screens. SVG and AI files work too (all accepted file types).

Only a PNG or JPEG? Go 300 DPI

Make it at least 300 DPI at the final print size, so a 3 x 3 in (7.6 x 7.6 cm) sticker needs 900 x 900 pixels or more. PNGs are always RGB, so the colors can shift a little in print. Our resolution requirements have all the details.

A few things to check before you upload

Once you've picked your file, these are worth a quick look:

Photos inside a PDF still count as raster. They need to be 300 DPI too, even if the rest of the file is vector.
Keep the background clean. The editor finds the cutline from the contrast with the background, so solid white or transparent works best.
Draw your own cutline as a vector path. Make it fully closed, save as PDF or AI and don't flatten it. Our cutline guide shows you how.
Watch the file size. Too heavy? Simplify complex paths or compress raster files (just not below the resolution your size needs).

Final thoughts

Vector or raster, both can end up as a great sticker. A vector file is the safe bet if you have one, and a raster file at 300 DPI works great too.

Still not sure about your file? I'd simply upload it, pick your size and see what the editor says. If it warns you about the resolution, dig out a bigger file or a vector version. Otherwise, you're all set to make some stickers!