What does rastering mean?
Rastering is the process of converting visual material into a raster, usually by arranging it into a regular grid of pixels or scanning it line by line. The term is especially common in digital graphics, printing, video, and image processing. One important use is the conversion of vector artwork, whose shapes and curves can be scaled mathematically, into a pixel-based image intended for display or printing. Another is the electronic scanning of a document or other visual data, where a device samples successive lines to construct an image. Rastering is therefore distinct from merely “saving” or “compressing” an image: it describes the representation or sampling method used to turn visual information into discrete elements. The resulting raster can be displayed, printed, transmitted, or processed by software. Despite its technical character, the word is useful because it names a fundamental distinction between two common approaches to representing images.
The process of converting visual material into a raster or scanning it line by line.
"Color separation and rastering are performed before the image is sent to the printer."
Used chiefly in computing, graphics, printing, and image processing.
To convert an image or visual design into raster form, or to scan visual data line by line.
"The driver rasterizes vector shapes before displaying them on the screen."
The form is the present participle of “raster” and is less common than the noun process.
Printing, video, and digital art all depend on turning continuous shapes or light into rows of tiny image elements.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does rastering come from?
The word comes through Latin rastrum, meaning “rake” or “scraper,” a derivative of radere, “to scrape.” The English noun “raster” originally referred to the grid of lines used in scanning and later came to denote a pixel-based image. Its development alongside printing, scanning, and early computer graphics established the modern technical sense.
Related word forms
How rastering is actually used
Chiefly a technical term in computing, printing, imaging, and graphics. It is both a gerund of the verb “raster” and a noun naming the process.
Easily confused with rastering
Rasting means abstaining from food and drink, usually from dawn until sunset, whereas rastering refers to processing or scanning visual data.