How to vectorize an image in Illustrator: 7 steps
- Place the image. Open Illustrator, create a document and use File → Place to import your PNG or JPG. Click Embed in the Properties panel so the image travels with the file.
- Open the Image Trace panel. Go to Window → Image Trace. Select the placed image.
- Pick a preset. For logos start with 6 Colors or 16 Colors; for black-and-white art use Black and White Logo; for drawings try Sketched Art or Line Art.
- Tune the settings. Set Mode and Palette (Limited for logos), adjust the number of Colors to match the real inks, and open Advanced for Paths, Corners and Noise.
- Check Ignore White. Under Advanced, enable Ignore White to drop a white background.
- Preview and trace. Turn on Preview, compare, then click Trace.
- Expand. Use Object → Image Trace → Expand to turn the trace into editable paths. Ungroup and clean up as needed.
Adobe documents every option in its Image Trace help page.
Best Image Trace settings for logos
| Setting | Suggested value for logos | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Mode | Color | Keeps brand colors |
| Palette | Limited | Lets you set an exact color count |
| Colors | Number of real inks + 1 | The extra one usually absorbs the background |
| Paths | Around 50% to 70% | Higher fits closer but adds nodes |
| Corners | Around 70% to 80% | Keeps corners sharp |
| Noise | 10 to 25 px | Removes specks from JPEG artifacts |
| Method | Abutting | Shapes do not stack, better for cutting |
| Snap Curves to Lines | On | Straightens almost-straight edges |
These are starting points. Every image is different, so preview and adjust one slider at a time.
Cleaning up the trace
- Merge stray shades: select one shape, use Select → Same → Fill Color, then recolor or delete the extras.
- Simplify paths: Object → Path → Simplify reduces nodes on wobbly curves.
- Fix text: traced text rarely looks perfect. If you know the font, retype the text and convert it to outlines instead.
- Remove the background: if Ignore White missed it, select the background shape and delete it.
A faster alternative: AI vectorizing, then edit in Illustrator
Vecfy approaches the problem differently. An AI model decides the real colors of the logo and separates the background before any tracing happens, so there are no slivers to clean up. The SVG arrives with one named group per color, straight lines snapped straight and text already in outlines.
The file opens directly in Illustrator. From there you can set exact Pantone or CMYK values, adjust spacing, or save as AI, EPS or PDF. It costs $3 per image, with no subscription, and you can preview for free.
Vectorize with AI and open in Illustrator
No Illustrator license? The free Inkscape Trace Bitmap is a good option for simple art, and our roundup of the best image to vector converters compares the rest.
Image Trace presets explained
| Preset | What it does | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| High Fidelity Photo | Many colors, very detailed | Artistic photo effects (heavy files) |
| Low Fidelity Photo | Fewer colors, simpler shapes | Posterized photo looks |
| 3 / 6 / 16 Colors | Limited palette of that size | Color logos and illustrations |
| Shades of Gray | Grayscale levels | Monochrome art with shading |
| Black and White Logo | Single color with threshold | One-color logos, stamps |
| Sketched Art / Line Art | Focus on strokes and lines | Drawings, scans, lettering |
| Silhouettes | Solid black shapes | Cut files and stencils |
| Technical Drawing | Thin outlines, no fills | Diagrams and plans |
A preset is only a starting point; once you move any slider, the preset name changes to Custom. Save your favorite settings with the menu in the panel so you can reuse them.
After tracing: recolor, simplify and export
- Recolor Artwork: with all paths selected, use Edit → Edit Colors → Recolor Artwork to map traced colors to your exact brand swatches in one step.
- Merge shapes: the Pathfinder panel's Merge combines adjacent shapes of the same color into one.
- Export: File → Save As for AI, EPS or PDF; File → Export → Export As for SVG or PNG. For cutting machines, SVG is the safest choice.