When people ask me to vectorize a logo, the first question is usually about price. The second is, “Why is hand redraw more?”

Fair question. Let me explain it the way I would to a friend.

What auto trace does

Auto trace is software. You give it a picture, and it guesses where the edges are. Then it draws paths over them.

On a clean, high-quality logo with flat colors, it can work well. It takes a minute.

Where auto trace goes wrong

The software only sees pixels. It does not know what your logo is meant to look like. So it copies every flaw it finds.

• Straight lines come out a little wavy.
• Sharp corners turn round.
• Small text gets messy or fills in.
• One shape becomes hundreds of tiny points, which is hard to edit.

From far away it looks fine. Zoom in and you see the problem. On a screen that may be okay. On a sign, a shirt or a van wrap, it shows.

What hand redraw does

I rebuild the logo shape by shape with the pen tool. Circles are real circles. Lines are straight. The curves are smooth, with as few points as possible.

The file is also easy to edit later. Want to change a color or move a word? It takes seconds.

So which one do you need?

Here is a simple way to decide.

• Auto trace may be fine if the logo is big, sharp and simple, and you only need it for a quick use.
• Choose hand redraw if the file is small or blurry, if it has text, or if it will be printed large, embroidered or cut in vinyl.
• Choose hand redraw if the logo is your brand for years. You only want to do this once.

A quick test

Open your logo and zoom in to 400 percent. If the edges already look rough, auto trace will copy that roughness. Hand redraw will fix it.

Not sure which one you need? Send me the file and I will tell you straight. If auto trace is enough, I will say so. You can also see before and after examples of my work.