SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) is a multipurpose file format that has transformed the way designers create and display images on the web and printing purposes. Moreover, SVG is used in many business areas, including animation, user interfaces, graphics interchange, print and hardcopy for screen printing, mobile applications, and high-quality design because SVG images maintain their resolution.

Adobe Illustrator stands at the forefront to convert image into SVG, providing an easy way for users to convert images into SVG file format. Whether you’re an experienced designer looking to enhance your workflow or a beginner to master converting images into SVG in Adobe Illustrator is a skill worth acquiring.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the details of this process using Adobe Illustrator.

SVG Files for Sublimation Printing

SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) files are preferred for sublimation printing for several reasons such as its scalability, resolution independence, compatibility, transparency support and consistency.

  1.  Scalability: SVG files maintain quality when resized, crucial for sublimation printing where designs need to fit various product sizes.
  2. Resolution Independence: SVGs ensure sharpness and clarity regardless of the output size, guaranteeing high-quality prints.
  3. Compatibility: Widely supported across design software and printing systems, SVGs ensure seamless integration and minimize compatibility issues.
  4. Transparency Support: SVG files support transparency, enabling designers to create intricate designs with layered elements seamlessly.
  5. Consistency: SVGs ensure consistent print quality across different sublimation products, maintaining brand standards and customer satisfaction.

Comparing SVG and PNG for Sublimation Printing

When using SVG and PNG files for sublimation printing, SVG files generally offer higher-quality results due to their vector-based nature, allowing for scalability without losing quality. SVGs excel in maintaining sharpness and clarity even when enlarged for printing on various products while also being quickly editable and supporting complex designs.

On the other hand, PNG files can still provide good-quality results, particularly for designs that do not require significant scaling but may suffer from pixelation or loss of quality when enlarged. While PNGs support transparency and are widely compatible, SVGs remain the preferred choice for sublimation printing due to their superior scalability, quality, and versatility.

SVG Files for Web Graphics

Because SVG files are resolution-independent, they maintain quality on any screen size, making them ideal for responsive web design. Also, their smaller file sizes can improve page load times, which is mainly important for mobile users with slower internet connections.

  1. Scalability: SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) files can be scaled to any size without losing quality, making them ideal for responsive web design across various devices and screen resolutions.
  2. Small File Size: SVG files tend to have smaller file sizes compared to raster image formats like JPEG or PNG, resulting in faster website loading times and improved user experience.
  3. Editability: SVGs can be easily edited using vector graphics software, enabling designers to make changes to colors, shapes, and other elements directly within the file.
  4. Animation: SVG files support animation through CSS or JavaScript, allowing for dynamic and interactive graphics on websites without the need for additional plugins or external files.
  5. Accessibility: SVGs are text-based files, making them accessible to screen readers and search engines for better SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and web accessibility compliance.

Comparing SVG and PNG for Web Graphics

SVG files offer scalability, smaller file sizes, easy editability, transparency support, and animation capabilities, making them ideal for complex web graphics. While widely supported, PNGs are better suited for simpler graphics because they lack the scalability and editability of SVGs.

Comparison between SVG and PNG for web graphics can be understood with the below chart:

Features SVG PNG
Scalability Vector-based, scalable without loss of quality. Raster-based, may lose quality when scaled.
File Size Smaller. Larger.
Editability Easily editable. Not editable.
Animation Support Yes. No.
Layer Compatibility High compatible. Limited compatible.
Color Compression Lossless compression, maintaining color accuracy. Lossy compression may slightly alter colors with file decreasing.

Converting Image into SVG in Adobe Illustrator

Follow these steps to convert an image into SVG format using Adobe Illustrator to create scalable vector graphics for your sublimation printing and web graphics project.

  • Open, Adobe Illustrator and Upload the image you want to convert into SVG.
  • Go to the Windows and select Image Trace.
  • A small dialogue box will pop up, arrange the setting according to the image and start tracing.
  • To save your newly created SVG file, go to File > Export
  • In the Save As dialog box, choose SVG as the file format.
  • Click OK the default SVG settings in the popped up dialogue box.

Your image is now saved in SVG file format, ready to be used in sublimation printing, web designing, and other graphic projects.

Exporting Selection as SVG in Adobe Illustrator

Export selection refers to the process of exporting a specific image object or element as an SVG file, rather than the entire artboard or artwork. This process allows you to isolate and export individual graphics, icons, or elements from a larger composition, providing greater flexibility and control over the exported content.

When using export selection feature in Adobe Illustrator, you can select the desired image object(s) within their artwork and then export them as SVG files using the following steps:

  • Select the image object by clicking on the image object or element you want to export.
  • Once the image object is selected, go to the File at the top of the screen and choose Export Selection.
  • Export for Screens dialogue box will pop up creating the copy of the selected image object.
  • In the Export for Screens dialog box, select SVG (svg) from the given file formats and click Export Asset to save the selected image objects as SVG.
  • Here, you have successfully export an individual image elements as SVG file.

Conclusion

Converting an image into SVG format in Adobe Illustrator is a straightforward process that helps you to create scalable and high-quality graphics for printing and web projects. By following the step-by-step guide outlined in this tutorial. Convert image into SVG for your sublimation printing process with Adobe Illustrator and master Illustrator's tools to transform raster images into editable vector graphics, ensuring flexibility and crispness across different screen sizes.

Moreover, experience the difference with DigitEMB for high-quality Vector Conversion Services. Our skilled vector artists artistically transform your raster images into crisp, scalable vector graphics, ensuring superior quality and accuracy.