Why Do Vectors Have Different Extensions? What Are The Differences Between An SVG, EPS And An AI File?


The differences between .SVG, .AI, and .EPS files are important to understand, especially when it comes to how each file type interacts with your vector-based design and how it’s used in different software or processes like vinyl cutting, screen printing, or digital printing. Let’s break it down and help explain why someone might choose to save their design as an .EPS instead of an .SVG or .AI file.

1. .AI (Adobe Illustrator)

  • File Type: Native file format for Adobe Illustrator.

  • Best For: Editable design files that you want to preserve in the Illustrator environment for continued work, adjustments, and updates.

  • Why use .AI:

    • It’s designed to save vector art in its native Illustrator format, which retains all of the layering, artboards, effects, shapes, and text in a way that’s fully editable inside Illustrator.

    • It preserves all of Illustrator’s proprietary features (e.g., effects, gradients, meshes, and symbols) in an editable state.

  • Limitations:

    • .AI files are specific to Illustrator and might not be universally supported across all design or cutting software. If you need to open it in another program, it may not retain all the original features.

2. .SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics)

  • File Type: Universal, web-friendly vector format.

  • Best For: Web design, vinyl cutting, scalable graphics, and vector-based artwork that needs to be shared or used across a range of software, particularly in cutting machines like Cricut or Silhouette.

  • Why use .SVG:

    • It’s a web-based vector format that is universally supported by many types of software and applications, including cutting machines and web browsers.

    • .SVG files are often used for projects that require cutting sharp paths, and clean lines without the bloat of more complex file types like .AI.

    • It’s perfect for vinyl cutting because it contains the vector paths of your artwork in a simplified, cut-ready format, which is easy for cutting machines to interpret.

  • Limitations:

    • Limited compatibility with advanced design features (such as Illustrator-specific effects, text, or complex gradients). It’s meant to be more of a simplified vector format for output, which may not preserve layering or design effects as fully as an .AI or .EPS file, especially if you have folks working on the file in more than one software (for example, building your SVG in Inkscape and then reopening it in Illustrator).

3. .EPS (Encapsulated PostScript)

  • File Type: Older, versatile vector file format widely used in graphic design, printing, and illustration.

  • Best For: Sharing vector artwork across multiple platforms and software, as well as for use in print, screen printing, or large-scale output.

  • Why use .EPS:

    • Widely compatible across both design software (Illustrator, CorelDRAW, Inkscape) and cutting machines (Silhouette, Cricut, etc.).

    • It retains vector data, which makes it great for high-quality prints, scaling, and cutting. It’s also capable of storing text and vector shapes in a way that preserves compatibility with older design programs, as well as printers and cutters.

    • Unlike .AI files, .EPS is often more universal and backward-compatible, meaning it can be used in many different programs (including non-Adobe programs), which is why it’s preferred for sending files to printers, graphic designers, or even for use in legacy systems.

  • Limitations:

    • .EPS files can be a bit larger in file size than .SVG, and older versions may not support more modern features.

    • It may not always handle complex design elements (like live text or certain effects) in the same way .AI files do, and editing it outside of a vector-editing environment like Illustrator could be tricky.

Why Choose .EPS Over .SVG or .AI?

When to Choose .EPS:

  • Cross-platform compatibility: If you need to ensure that your design can be opened and printed by various design programs, especially in the print industry or with machines that use legacy software, .EPS is a great choice.

  • For silkscreen and digital printing: Many professional printers or screen printing shops prefer to receive files in .EPS format because it preserves the vector data and is compatible with their printing systems, including large-format printing.

  • Better for professional sharing: If you're sending files to clients, collaborators, or third-party printers, an .EPS file is often the most universal and safe choice, ensuring that everyone can open it in their own programs.

When Not to Choose .EPS:

  • If your artwork is specifically designed for cutting machines like Cricut or Silhouette, .SVG is likely the better choice. These machines are designed to read the simplified paths in an .SVG file, and this file type will usually be smaller and more optimized for the cutter.

  • If you're working exclusively in Illustrator and need to maintain layered effects, text edits, or advanced Illustrator-specific features, stick with .AI files for maximum editability.

In Summary:

  • .AI is your best choice for full editable files meant to be worked on exclusively within Illustrator.

  • .SVG is ideal for cutting, web design, and when you need a universal vector file that works across various cutting machines or design programs.

  • .EPS is the most universal file format for sharing vector graphics between different software platforms and for ensuring cross-compatibility across various industries, particularly print and large-scale design.