What Are Stock Vectors and How Can You Best Use Them?

When it comes to marketing collateral, brands want it to be as versatile as possible, as it will be used across multiple formats and platforms. However, creating all the necessary visuals from scratch can be time-consuming and costly. This is where stock vectors come in handy.

These pre-made graphic designs can be easily customized to fit any brand’s needs. But the best part: vector images are scalable. Whether it’s a logo, presentation, or packaging, you can easily keep the design sharp regardless of size.

That being said, it would be a crime not to take advantage of the many stock vector images available online. That’s why this article will answer all basic questions about vector graphics and show you how to make the most of stock vectors from Depositphotos. Read on to discover more!

What is a stock vector image?

A vector image is a digital graphic created using points, lines, and shapes defined by mathematical formulas, rather than pixels. A stock vector image is a type of vector image that is sold and distributed by stock websites for commercial use.

Unlike other pixel-based images, vectors can be scaled up or down infinitely without losing quality. This makes them ideal for logos, icons, typography, and illustrations that need to maintain crisp edges and sharpness at any size.

What is a common format for vector images?

Vector files have more than one format to choose from. Here are some of the most popular vector image formats:

EPS: Encapsulated PostScript is a vector file format commonly used for high-quality image printing. However, it’s less popular than other formats because it doesn’t support transparency, has a larger file size, and has compatibility issues.
AI: Adobe Illustrator files are another common vector image format widely used by designers and illustrators to create artwork, printed materials, and logos.
SVG: Scalable Vector Graphics is a web-friendly vector file format based on XML markup language that is readable by both humans and machines. Therefore, SVG visuals can be indexed, searched, and displayed on the web more easily.
PDF: Portable Document Format is best used for sharing documents between platforms, as well as for printing them. Therefore, PDFs are mostly utilized to send read-only documents, rather than artwork that needs to be edited.

Image in vector format vs. raster format

There are two main types of image formats: vector and raster. We just learned that vectors are equation-based, which makes them ideal for creating visuals that need to be resized without losing quality. Therefore, vector graphics are popular among graphic designers and illustrators.

Raster files, on the other hand, are made of pixels and can become pixelated when enlarged. However, their file size makes them perfect for photographs, complex graphics, and images that do not need to be resized. As a result, raster files are often used by photographers and web designers.

What are stock vector graphics often used for?

Stock vector graphics are an integral part of digital design, contributing to the $6.8 billion value of the global stock image market in 2024. Therefore, there are many uses for stock vectors, including:

Logos and branding;
Icons and UI elements;
App and website interfaces;
Backgrounds and patterns;
Animated graphics;
Infographics;
Typography;
Advertising campaigns;
Social media graphics;
PowerPoint and Keynote presentations;
Print materials (brochures, flyers, posters, business cards, etc.);
Product packaging;
Merchandise (T-shirts, hats, tote bags, mugs, etc.)

How to best use stock vector images

Whether you’re working with stock vectors, photos, or illustrations, understanding how to utilize them effectively can elevate your designs and streamline your workflow. Here are some tips to increase vector effectiveness in your projects.

Choose visuals that fit your brand

While vectors are easy to customize, it’s best to choose images that already fit your brand aesthetic. For example, if your company is trying to catch Gen Z’s eye, look for nostalgia-inspired visuals, bold-minimal designs, vibrant colors, and gothic fonts.

Customize to stand out

The best thing about stock vectors is that another design professional has already put in the work to create a solid foundation for your ad, corporate design, or creative project. All that’s left for you to do is to customize it and make it your own. So, be sure to use colors, shapes, and textures that match your brand identity and appeal to your target audience.

Optimize for different formats

One major advantage of vector images is scalability. This means that you can easily resize and adjust your marketing visuals without losing quality, making them perfect for various formats, including social media posts, website banners, and print materials.

Combine with other design elements

Unleash your creativity by combining vectors with other design elements to create dynamic and eye-catching designs. Use vector images as patterns and backgrounds, mix them with text and typography, or layer them with photographs.

Regularly update your stock vector library

Design trends evolve, so updating your collection of stock vectors with current styles will help keep your projects fresh and relevant. Many stock image sites add new content regularly. For example, Depositphotos adds new files every two weeks and labels them with the “Fresh” tag.

To sum up

The visual appetite of the modern audience is growing day by day, pushing marketers and designers to constantly experiment and innovate. With all the possibilities of a stock vector image, this process becomes much easier and more efficient, allowing you to keep up with visual trends and audience expectations. So, explore the extensive libraries available, and make the most of the flexibility and creativity that stock vectors offer.