How To Vectorize a PNG Logo with Photoshop | Video Tutorial

• June 19, 2019
• Nick Saporito
• 1 comment

In this tutorial I’ll be demonstrating how to vectorize a PNG logo with Photoshop, which is actually quite simple and very beginner-friendly. I do have to preface this by warning that Photoshop is not the ideal tool to use for creating vectors. Ideally, you should use Illustrator, but if Photoshop is your only option then you are not out of luck. There is an imperfect (but acceptable) solution.

The following is just a brief overview of the steps taken to vectorize a PNG logo with Photoshop. For complete step-by-step instructions with voice narration, please refer to the video tutorial below:

Vectorize a PNG Logo with Photoshop

In order to vectorize a PNG logo with Photoshop, you must create paths going around the shape of your logo, then export it as an AI (Adobe Illustrator) file. Go ahead and open up your PNG file with Photoshop and we’ll get started.

Step 1: Create A Selection Around Your Logo

Assuming your PNG logo is formatted like mine, with negative space surrounding it and inside of it, create a selection around your logo by holding Control and clicking on the thumbnail preview in the Layers window.

You’ll know you’ve created your selection properly if you see a moving dotted line outlining the shape of your logo.

If this method doesn’t work because your PNG has a solid background color, or because there’s fill color within the boundaries of your logo, then I would follow the steps in this video to create your selection by color, then move on to steps 2, 3 and 4.

Step 2: Convert Your Selection To Working Paths

Now we must convert our selection to paths. To do that, simply grab the Rectangle tool, right-click your logo on the canvas, then select Make Work Path.

Paths will be indicated by black anchor points that are connected together with a solid thin line.

Step 3: Export The Paths To An Illustrator File

Now all we have to do is simply export our document in an editable vector format using the Export Paths to Illustrator feature in Photoshop. Simply go to File > Export > Paths To Illustrator, and choose where you’d like to save your file.

This will generate a .ai (Adobe Illustrator) file that can be opened and edited with Illustrator (or a free alternative like Inkscape,) or any other vector graphics program.

Step 4: Tweak The File in Illustrator As Needed

All you have to do now is open your .ai file with Illustrator and make the necessary adjustments. Press Control + Y on the keyboard to go into outline mode and see exactly where your vector paths are.

You can now fill your logo in with whatever colors you’d like, save/export it in your desired vector format, and you’re done! That is how you can vectorize a PNG logo with Photoshop.

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