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Scenario-Based Workflows

Learn the optimal workflow for common vectorization scenarios. Each includes preset recommendations, settings, and post-processing tips.

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Scenario 1: Company Logo Vectorization

Goal: Convert a client’s low-res logo to crisp, editable vector

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Starting Point

Typical situation:
  • Client sent logo as JPEG from their website
  • Visible compression artifacts
  • Low resolution (500px wide)
  • Need vector for print and web
1

Prepare the Image

Before converting:
  1. Remove background (if present)
    • Use Figma’s background removal
    • Or remove.bg service
    • Clean background = cleaner vectorization
  2. Check resolution
    • If under 300px wide, ask client for larger version
    • Tiny logos produce poor results
    • Ideal: 800-2000px wide
  3. Crop tightly
    • Remove excessive white space
    • Frame just the logo itself
    • Faster processing + better results
2

Choose Settings

Recommended configuration:
  • Preset: Logo
  • Quality: Standard (increase to High if edges look rough in preview)
  • Detail: 25-30 (aggressive noise removal for JPG artifacts)
  • Colors: 16 or fewer (logos rarely need more)
  • Draw Style: Fill Shapes
  • Fill Gaps: Enabled
Why Detail 25-30: Removes JPG compression noise while keeping logo clean
3

Preview First

Always use HD Preview (2 credits) for logos:
  1. Check edge smoothness (zoom to 400%)
  2. Verify colors are correct
  3. Look for unwanted artifacts
  4. If issues, adjust Detail or Quality
Common adjustments:
  • Edges rough? → Increase Quality to High
  • Too many dots? → Decrease Detail to 20
  • Colors wrong? → Reduce Colors to 8 or add Custom Palette
4

Convert

Once preview looks good, click Convert to SVG (10 credits).SVG appears next to original image.
5

Post-Processing in Figma

Clean up the result:
  1. Flatten overlapping shapes
    • Select SVG → Right-click → Flatten (Cmd/Ctrl + E)
    • Merges layers for easier editing
  2. Simplify if needed
    • Right-click → Simplify
    • Reduces anchor points
    • Smaller file size
  3. Adjust colors to brand
    • Double-click SVG to enter group
    • Select shapes and apply brand colors
    • Or use Find & Replace color plugins
  4. Create component
    • Cmd/Ctrl + Alt + K to make component
    • Add to library for reuse
    • Create dark/light variants if needed

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Logo-Specific Tips

Ultra-minimal workflow:
  • Reduce Colors to 4 or 8
  • Decrease Detail to 15-20
  • Results in very clean, simple vector
  • Smallest possible file size
  • Easy to edit
Perfect for: Wordmarks, simple icons, geometric logos
Challenge: Logos with gradients are trickyOption 1 - Preserve gradient:
  • Use Illustration preset (not Logo)
  • Increase Colors to 64 or 256
  • Detail around 50
  • Gradient will be stepped/posterized but preserved
Option 2 - Flatten gradient (recommended):
  • Use Logo preset with Detail 30
  • Gradient becomes solid colors
  • Manually recreate gradient in Figma (smoother result)
Important: Vectorized text becomes shapes (not editable text)Better approach:
  1. Vectorize logo separately from text
  2. Recreate text in Figma using matching font
  3. Or: Outline text after vectorizing, then adjust in Figma
Why: Editable text is more flexible than traced shapes

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Expected Results

MetricTypical Range
File Size5-50 KB
Processing Time5-10 seconds
QualityProfessional, print-ready
Editability⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Easy

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Scenario 2: Flat Illustration Vectorization

Goal: Convert stock illustration or artwork to editable vector

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Starting Point

Typical situation:
  • Downloaded illustration from stock site
  • PNG format, decent resolution
  • Want to customize colors and elements
  • For landing page or presentation
1

Assess the Illustration

Check complexity:
  • Simple flat (few colors, clean shapes) → Start with Logo preset
  • Moderate (10-20 colors, some detail) → Illustration preset ⭐
  • Complex (30+ colors, gradients) → High-Fidelity preset
Most fall into “Moderate” category → Illustration preset
2

Choose Settings

Recommended for most illustrations:
  • Preset: Illustration
  • Quality: Standard
  • Detail: 50 (adjust based on texture)
  • Colors: 32 (increase to 64 if many colors)
  • Draw Style: Fill Shapes
  • Fill Gaps: Enabled
For textured illustrations:
  • Increase Detail to 60-70 to preserve texture
  • Increase Colors to 64
For simple flat art:
  • Decrease Detail to 35-40 for cleaner result
  • Colors can stay at 32 or reduce to 16
3

Preview & Iterate

  1. HD Preview with initial settings (2 credits)
  2. Check if texture/details are preserved
  3. Adjust Detail up/down as needed
  4. Preview again (2 more credits)
  5. Repeat until satisfied
Budget: 4-6 credits in previews is normal for getting it right
4

Convert

Once settings are dialed in, convert (10 credits).
5

Customize in Figma

Common edits for illustrations:
  1. Recolor for brand
    • Enter SVG group
    • Select shapes by color
    • Apply design system colors
  2. Remove unwanted elements
    • Delete specific shapes
    • Hide layers
    • Modify paths
  3. Add to design system
    • Create component
    • Make color variants
    • Use as illustration library

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Illustration-Specific Tips

Onboarding screens, empty states, etc.:
  • Illustration preset
  • Detail: 40-50 (clean, simplified)
  • Colors: 16-32 (matches design system better)
  • Keep file size manageable for web
Post-processing:
  • Match to brand colors immediately
  • Create variants (success, error, loading)
  • Export as components

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Scenario 3: Hand-Drawn Sketch Vectorization

Goal: Convert scanned drawing or photo of sketch to editable line art

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Starting Point

Typical situation:
  • Scanned pencil/ink drawing
  • Photo of whiteboard sketch
  • Paper texture visible
  • Want clean vector paths for further illustration
1

Optimize the Scan/Photo

Critical for good results:
  1. Increase contrast
    • In Figma: Effects → Adjust colors
    • Make lines darker, background whiter
    • Removes faint marks
  2. Crop and rotate
    • Straighten the sketch
    • Crop to just the drawing
    • Remove border/edges
  3. Clean up if needed
    • Erase stray marks in Figma
    • Remove coffee stains, smudges
    • Better input = better output
2

Choose Settings

Recommended configuration:
  • Preset: Line Art
  • Quality: High (precise line capture)
  • Detail: 70 (preserve fine lines)
  • Colors: 8 (mostly black/white)
  • Draw Style: Stroke Shapes (automatic with Line Art)
  • Fill Gaps: Disabled
  • Stroke Width: 2.0-3.0px (match original line thickness)
If losing fine lines:
  • Increase Detail to 80-90
  • Increase Quality to Ultra
  • Accept larger file size
3

Preview First

Always preview scanned sketches:
  1. Check if fine lines are captured
  2. Verify paper texture is removed (not preserved as shapes)
  3. Zoom in to inspect line quality
Common issues:
  • Paper texture → Decrease Detail to 40-50
  • Lines too thin → Increase Stroke Width
  • Missing details → Increase Detail to 80
4

Convert

Convert once settings are right (10 credits).
5

Post-Processing

Clean up the line art:
  1. Adjust stroke width
    • Select all paths (Cmd/Ctrl + A)
    • Change Stroke weight in properties
    • Make uniform or varied
  2. Manual cleanup
    • Delete stray paths
    • Connect broken lines
    • Smooth rough sections
  3. Add colors (if desired)
    • Option 1: Outline Stroke → Fill shapes → Color
    • Option 2: Add fills behind line art
    • Option 3: Use as coloring page template

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Sketch-Specific Tips

Challenge: Paper texture and noiseSolution:
  • Decrease Detail to 30-40 (removes texture)
  • Increase contrast before converting (makes lines stand out)
  • Accept some loss of very faint lines
  • Manual touchup after conversion
Alternative: Scan at higher contrast initially
Goal: Precise, clean linesSettings:
  • Line Art preset
  • Quality: Ultra (maximum precision)
  • Detail: 60-70 (clean but accurate)
  • Stroke Width: 1.0-1.5px (thin, technical)
Post-processing:
  • Use Figma’s line snapping
  • Align to pixel grid
  • Create isometric or technical views
Workflow:
  1. Vectorize with Line Art preset
  2. Stroke Width: 3-4px (thick, kid-friendly)
  3. Export as SVG or PDF for printing
  4. Or: Outline Stroke → Fill with white → Share as Figma template
Perfect for: Illustrated coloring books, kids’ activities

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Scenario 4: Photo to Vector Art

Goal: Convert photo to artistic vector representation

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Starting Point

Typical situation:
  • Photograph (portrait, product, landscape)
  • Want poster/artistic effect
  • Not realistic reproduction
Important: Vectorizing photos creates artistic interpretation, not photo-realistic reproduction. Manage expectations!
1

Prepare Photo

Pre-processing helps significantly:
  1. Crop to subject
    • Remove background if possible
    • Focus on main subject
    • Simpler composition = better result
  2. Adjust exposure/contrast
    • Well-defined shapes vectorize better
    • Avoid very dark or blown-out areas
    • Increase contrast slightly
  3. Resize if huge
    • 2000-3000px max dimension
    • Smaller = faster processing
    • Quality won’t improve past certain size
2

Start Conservative

Try Illustration preset first:
  • Preset: Illustration
  • Quality: Standard
  • Detail: 50
  • Colors: 64
  • Preview to see result (2 credits)
Evaluate:
  • Too simplified? → Try High-Fidelity
  • Acceptable? → Done! (save 10 credits vs High-Fidelity)
3

Upgrade if Needed

If Illustration loses too much:
  • Preset: High-Fidelity
  • Quality: High or Ultra
  • Detail: 80
  • Colors: 256
  • Accept: Larger file (1-2 MB), slower processing
Preview first! (2 credits) — High-Fidelity takes 60 seconds, don’t convert blind
4

Convert

Use whichever preset worked best in previews.
5

Post-Processing

Artistic adjustments:
  1. Simplify if too complex
    • Right-click → Simplify
    • Reduces paths
    • Creates more “poster” effect
  2. Adjust colors
    • Increase saturation
    • Apply color overlays
    • Create duotone effect
  3. Add effects
    • Background blur
    • Shadows
    • Frames/borders
Artistic approach: Don’t aim for photo realism. Embrace the vector aesthetic!

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Photo-Specific Tips

Challenges: Skin tones, fine details (hair, eyes)Best approach:
  • High-Fidelity preset
  • Detail: 70-80
  • Colors: 256 (skin tone gradations)
  • Simplify after for artistic effect
Alternative: Use Illustration for stylized/cartoon effect

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When NOT to Vectorize Photos

Photos are often better left as photos:
  • Realistic product photography
  • Portraits for documentation
  • Detailed textures (wood, fabric)
  • Web hero images (use WebP instead)
Vectorize photos only for: Artistic effects, posters, stylized graphics

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General Best Practices

Input quality determines output quality:
Source QualityMax Output Quality
4K+ imageExcellent
1920-2000pxVery good
800-1500pxGood
300-800pxFair
Under 300pxPoor
Rule: Garbage in, garbage out. Get the best source possible.
Preview is cheap insurance:
  • Cost: 2 credits (vs 10 for conversion)
  • Value: Avoid wasting 10 credits on bad settings
  • Math: 3 previews (6 credits) + 1 convert (10) = 16 total
    • vs: 2 bad converts (20) = waste 4 credits
Don’t skip preview on unfamiliar image types!
Optimize for your actual need:
Use CaseRecommended Settings
Web icon (64px)Logo preset, Standard quality
UI graphic (500px)Illustration, Standard
Print posterIllustration/High-Fidelity, High quality
Large formatHigh-Fidelity, Ultra quality
Don’t use Ultra quality for a 64px icon!
Plugin gets you 90% there, Figma finishes it:Common Figma touchups:
  • Flatten shapes
  • Simplify paths
  • Boolean operations
  • Manual recoloring
  • Component creation
Don’t obsess over perfection in plugin — finish in Figma!
Document what works:
  1. Screenshot successful settings
  2. Note image type and settings used
  3. Record file size and quality results
  4. Build internal playbook
Example doc:
Company Logos:
- Preset: Logo
- Detail: 25
- Colors: 16
- Results: 15-40 KB, clean edges
Efficiency workflow:
  1. Find optimal settings for first image (use Preview)
  2. Write down the settings
  3. Apply to all similar images (skip Preview)
  4. Convert batch
Example: 20 team headshots → test 1, apply to all 20Savings: Massive time and credit savings

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Optimization Checklist

Before converting, ask yourself:

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Next Steps

Core Settings Deep Dive

Master Quality, Detail, Colors, and Style parameters

Troubleshooting Guide

Fix issues and optimize problematic conversions