What does rasterized mean?
Rasterized describes something that has been converted into a raster format, a pixel-by-pixel representation of visual information. This is the format commonly used for ordinary digital photographs and illustrations, with each color and tone assigned to a position in a grid. Rasterized images are well suited to displaying detailed, naturalistic pictures, but they can lose sharpness when enlarged because the individual pixels become visible. The word is also used when discussing the conversion of text, logos, or vector artwork into pixel-based files. It is primarily technical language used in computing, publishing, graphic design, and image processing, and distinguishes pixel-based graphics from scalable vector images.
Converted into or rendered as a grid of pixels.
"The designer compared the rasterized logo with the original vector artwork."
Often used to describe an image or graphic after it has been converted from a scalable or continuous form into pixels.
Convert an image, graphic, or other visual representation into a raster format.
"The software rasterizes the design before sending it to the printer."
Usually used in technical contexts involving digital imaging, fonts, printing, or graphic processing.
A rasterized image is built from thousands of tiny squares, making it a digital mosaic rather than a scalable drawing.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does rasterized come from?
The word derives from the English noun raster, which comes from Latin rastrum, a tool resembling a rake and associated with scraping or engraving surfaces. The technical sense of raster as a grid of image elements developed in the field of image processing and digital display. The suffix -ized was added in the 20th century to form the verb rasterize, with rasterized serving as its past tense and past participle.
Related word forms
How rasterized is actually used
The term is technical and most common in computing, image processing, publishing, and digital design. It is generally used with images, graphics, fonts, or other visual material that has been converted to pixel-based data.
Easily confused with rasterized
A rasterized image is made from pixels, whereas a vectorized image is made from mathematical shapes and lines that can be scaled without losing detail.