How to Vectorize Text in Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator lets you convert your documents to various formats. It works with both vector and raster images, depending on the type of formatting you want to use for your documents.

Vector images rely on mathematical equations, allowing your projects to appear more detailed and crisp. They are best for using for your business or company.

You can learn how to vectorize text in Illustrator by reading the guide below. This article will also help you better understand how to make a vector image. Upload your JPEG or add text to your document to get started!

How to Vectorize Text in Illustrator

This article will help you when creating vectors in Illustrator. You can outline text or images in your project, as shown in the methods below.

What is Vectorization?

You must understand vector graphics before you learn to vectorize images online using Adobe Illustrator. These pictures are the direct opposite of raster artwork.

The vectorization process uses mathematical formulas to develop images. Rasterized artwork relies on colored pixels.

How to Vectorize Text in Illustrator

If you want to learn how to trace letters in Illustrator, you will need to vectorize the words. You can use the below steps to access the “Create Outline” tool for your font.

Double-click the Adobe Illustrator icon on your computer.
Press “New Project” to begin learning how to vectorize text in Illustrator.
Click on the “Type” tool in the toolbar.
Go to the top of the screen to pick the font you want to use.
Click somewhere in the document and start typing.
Select the “Direct Selection” tool in the toolbar.
Click the text you typed.
Press the “Type” menu at the top of the screen.
Click “Create Outlines” to finalize the process to Illustrator convert text to path.
Wait for your text to automatically become a vector outline!
Save the project and export it to your computer.

Outline All Text in Illustrator

You can also convert all text to outlines in Illustrator. The process uses the same steps above, but you have to select every letter to begin.

Open a project in Adobe Illustrator.
Click on the “Type” tool and choose font at the top of the page.
Press somewhere on the artboard and start writing.
Click on the “Select” menu.
Press “Select All.” It is okay if images or logos are in your document.
Click on the “Type” menu at the top of the screen.
Press “Create Outlines” to Illustrator to convert text to path. You will immediately see adjustable anchor points.

Trace Letters in Illustrator

You can learn how to trace text in Illustrator with the “Pen” tool. Place an Image from your computer to begin. This method will work for hand-drawn or printed text!

You can learn to trace the text by using the below steps.

Open Adobe Illustrator and start a “New Project.”
Click on the “File” menu.
Choose the “Place” option and find the image with the text you want to trace.
Go to the “Properties” panel and press “Embed.”
Click on the dropdown arrow by the name of the image layer in the “Layers” panel.
Press “Template.”
Create a new layer in the “Layers” panel.
Choose the “Pen” tool on the left side of the screen.
Offset the fill and outline colors to see the path.
Start clicking and dragging to draw curves and straight lines.
Click on the anchor points to go around corners.
Choose the endpoints of the outline with the “Direct Selection” tool for each letter.
Save and export the project when you finish learning how to trace text in Illustrator.

Adjust the Shape of Your Text

After you convert text to shape Illustrator using the “Create Outlines” tool, adjust it. You can edit it to reflect the design you have in mind. Engage in the adjustment process with the below steps.

Press on the “Direct Selection” tool in the toolbar.
Click and drag the letter you want to adjust, changing its size or location.
Click on one of the anchor points.
Drag the anchor point in the direction you want for your shape.

How to Vectorize an Image in Illustrator

Not only can you learn how to vectorize text in Illustrator, but you can do the same to images! There are several steps involved in this process, as shown below.

1. Choose an Image

When creating vectors in Illustrator, you have to first choose an image. For the most part, the picture will not matter.

It is easiest to vectorize an image with a transparent or white background. It should not have a particularly high resolution to allow Illustrator to recognize the edges of the picture.

Try to avoid uploading larger images, as they take longer to vectorize. You can upload a GIF, PNG, or JPG picture to Adobe Illustrator. You can upload the image using the below steps.

Open Adobe Illustrator and click on “New Project” in the top left.
Click on “File,” followed by “Place.”
Choose the image you want to use and press “Place.”
Position the image you want to vectorize and press “Embed.”

2. Choose an Image Trace Preset

After you choose a picture to vectorize, secure an image trace preset. These features do most of the work in the editing process.

Some of the most popular image trace presets are in the below list.

High Fidelity: Ideal for complex photos, extremely detailed
Low Fidelity: Ideal for complex artwork, slightly less detailed than the above option
3 Colors, 6 Colors, or 16 Colors: Useful for logos or business graphics, ideal for flat colors
Shades of Grey: Grayscale imagery, detailed picture
Black and White Logo: Only uses black and white, simple
Sketched Art, Silhouettes, Technical Drawing, or Line Art: Best for specific imagery, black and white, line-based

You can choose an image trace preset with the below steps.

Click on the image you uploaded in your project.
Press the dropdown arrow next to “Image Trace.”
Choose one of the presets in the list.
Wait for the tracing process to automatically begin.

The picture will not pixelate when using this tool, no matter how far you zoom onto the image.

3. Fine-Tune Your Image

After you learn how to vectorize text in Illustrator, or images, you can fine-tune the results. The steps below will help with this specific editing process.

Click on the picture where you used an image trace preset.
Open the “Image Trace” panel.
Look for the editing features in the panel.
Click on the “Mode” dropdown menu to adjust the grayscale or color.
Add details to your image with the slider next to the word “Color.”

4. Ungroup Colors

After you fine-tune the vectorization, you can start to ungroup the colors. This process will allow you to edit the shades in your images. You can ungroup the colors using the steps below.

Click the image you vectorized in your project.
Press “Expand” in the toolbar at the top of the screen.
Wait for the composite shapes to appear on your image.
Right-click the image.
Press “Ungroup.”
You will see the color groups separated into individual layers in the “Layers” panel.

5. Edit Your Image

After you ungroup the colors, you can further edit the vectorized image. You will have free range to adjust the picture to your liking. Edit your vectorized image using the below steps.

Delete the color groups you no longer need.
Click on one of the shapes in your image.
Press the “Select” menu, followed by “Same.”
Click on “Fill Color” to automatically adjust the color to the one you selected.
Press “Backspace” on your keyboard to remove specific shapes on your image.
Add more color to your image with the “Pen” or “Brush” tool.

6. Save Image

When you finish editing, you can save your vectorized image. You can export the project with the below list.

Click on the “File” menu.
Press “Export.”
Press “Export As.”
Select one of the file types and enter a name for your image.
Press “Save” or “Export.”

How to Convert PNG to Vector in Illustrator

You can vectorize a PNG image at any time in your Adobe Illustrator file. You only need to upload the image using the “Place” option in the “File” menu.

After, click on the “Image Trace” tool. Choose one of the presets and wait for the outline to appear. Perform any of the editing features listed above to finalize your image.

Q&A

Can You Turn Text into a Vector in Illustrator

You can easily learn how to vectorize text in Illustrator. You have to outline the font using the “Create Outlines” tool in the “Type” menu.

After you vectorize the text, you can adjust its shape and size. Use the “Direct Selection” tool to edit the path or move the anchor points to build curves. Ultimately, your text will become part of your design.

How Do I Convert a JPEG to a Vector in Illustrator?

It is easy to convert a PNG or JPEG image to a vector in Adobe Illustrator. Start by selecting an image with a white or transparent background.

After you choose your picture, click on the “Image Trace” tool. Choose one of the presets, and fine-tune it using the “Image Trace” panel.

Vectorize Text in Illustrator

This article showed you how to vectorize text in Illustrator. You only have to click on the “Type” menu after adding the font. Click on “Create Outlines” to finish editing the text.

You can also vectorize an image in Adobe Illustrator. You can click on the “Image Trace” tool in your project to start the editing process. Choose one of the image trace presets, depending on the look you want to achieve.

After you vectorize text or images, you can edit your designs. Move the anchor points or paths. On an image, you can adjust the colors or details.