Ok, so I briefly discussed this in one of my previous blogs (Vector and raster images explained) but in a world where people are getting AI to create their logos **slaps face with palm of hand**, I thought it was only best to go over this topic in more detail.

Whether you’ve created your logo using AI or you’ve misplaced the original vector files your graphic designer gave you and now they’ve ran away to Australia leaving no way to reach them; this quick guide will help you get your logo looking crisp enough for large format printing.

Basically there are two ways to turn your logo into a vector graphic. The easy way…and the hard way. Or, the cheaper way and the more expensive way. The question is, is the quality of your raster image good?

Option 1: Image Trace (the easy way)

The easy way is basically using a method called ‘Image Trace’. This is a feature that was only found in software like Adobe Illustrator, but has now become accessible online.

Image trace in Adobe Illustrator

If you have Adobe Illustrator, you can toggle this tool on in the ‘Window’ menu. Once clicked on the flat raster image, you can use the different settings at the side to adjust things like corners, paths and noise and even the amount of colours.

Image trace online

Not got Illustrator? Not to worry. You can either subscribe for a month or better still, just use a website that is dedicated to this task.

I’ve not used the website method before but I did stumble across this website:

https://www.vectorizer.io/

It works out at about £15 a file but you get to preview your image before you purchase. Once done, you’ll get to download a nice vector version of your logo design.

The key to good results

To get the most accurate version of your logo as possible, it’s best to use the highest resolution file that you have. I know, that’s not exactly helpful if all you have is a crusty old profile avatar, but unfortunately if your image tracing starts making your logo all blobby and distorted, then it’s best looking at option 2…the hard way.

Option 2: Redraw (the hard way)

Like the image trace method, the redraw method also comes in two ways. The DIY approach, or the DFY (Done For You) approach.

DIY redrawing

So I mentioned about Adobe Illustrator. This isn’t a cheap bit of software especially when part of the whole Creative Cloud suite. But if you don’t want to subscribe for a month just to redraw your logo…and I don’t blame you…then there are alternatives.

Recently, the software Affintity got bought by Canva and became completely free to download. As of now, this doesn’t include image trace but it does support vector drawing with its own pen tool. Look up some YouTube videos about how to use it and you might end up with your very own vector logo that looks identical to your current one…just better quality.

I might be wrong, but Canva itself might also support this approach.

Not feeling going to all that effort? Let’s look at the next approach.

DFY redrawing

Done For You. I’ve labelled this the ‘hard way’ but it’s only really harder for the professional, it’s just more expensive for you.

But yes, this approach is basically chuck some money at a graphic designer, like myself, and we’ll redraw your logo design, leaving you with all the files that you need and variations that you might need.

Variations?…that’s right. Why stop at one logo. See my blog here for more information about ‘Why one logo isn’t enough anymore’.

If you also need a breakdown of colours, you can also request a simple style sheet labelling the CMYK, HEX and other values and codes.

If this approach sounds like it might suit you, then why not get in touch. I’d be more than happy to take a look and can even provide advice on the design itself as well as a proposal for a new or tweaked design if it’s something that you feel your logo might need. Make sure to also checkout my work.

Cheers.