Sharing information about the design program we use (Adobe Illustrator)
Pixels vs. dots: why we use illustrator for apparel design
When it comes to creating great-looking gear, the design file makes all the difference. Two of the most common design programs are photoshop and illustrator, and while they might look similar at first, they work in completely different ways.
Understanding the difference between pixels and dots (vectors) helps explain why BE ultimate uses illustrator for apparel design.
Photoshop and pixels
photoshop is a powerful tool made for working with images; like photos, textures, and shading. It builds pictures using pixels, which are tiny squares of color that form an image.
when you zoom in on a photo in photoshop, you’ll see all those tiny boxes. They're great for editing photos, but pixels have one big limitation: if you make the image larger, those boxes stretch and the edges look blurry or blocky.
That's why photoshop is perfect for photography and web graphics, but not ideal for designs that need to stay crisp at any size, like logos or jersey artwork.
Illustrator and vectors
Illustrator works differently. Instead of pixels, it uses dots, points connected by lines that follow mathematical rules that create vectors.
Those dots don’t blur or stretch because the illustrator redraws them perfectly every time you resize the design. No matter how big or small you make it, the lines stay clean and sharp.
This makes illustrator ideal for logos, text, and artwork that will appear in different sizes or placements on your apparel. It gives us total control over how every curve and edge looks, ensuring your design always stays sharp and consistent.
Why BE ultimate uses illustrator
We create all apparel designs in illustrator because it gives the best results for production:
- Vector artwork stays perfectly sharp at any size
- Colours are easy to match accurately
- Files can be exported in formats that work seamlessly with our printing process
- It’s faster and easier to make updates or adjustments
If we receive a design made in photoshop, our design team will convert it into vector format to maintain the same level of quality and clarity we need for production. This process can take time and the result will not necessarily be the same as the original input.
By using illustrator, we make sure every logo, line, and color prints exactly how it should; clean, crisp, and consistent across all your team gear.