Get help with creating your t-shirt graphics. Discuss t-shirt design software, special effect techniques, or other topics related to creating a t-shirt design on your computer.
Re: how do i convert png files into vector files????
tracing a raster image will not result in a perfect trace. Why cant your printer use raster files. See if they can accept Photoshop files and send them the native format of psd at a high resolution.
Re: how do i convert png files into vector files????
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brutal Tees
thanks. so that keeps the original colors of the png file?
the colors are not going to matter, whatever is on screen isn't going to be the color that is printed. in fact chances are the colors you have on your monitor will be different on his monitor. You should save a black and white version of your artwork and then convert it. The more colors in the design the worse it will come out when you vectorize it. Print a color version for reference and then decide on the pantone colors for the final output. If you need help with this let me know.
Re: how do i convert png files into vector files????
If youre not familar with tracing, I may be best for now to, have your print do the extra work for ya. It will save you a good bit of time and headache until its a tighter skill for you. Most printers Ive spoke with will do the convertion at a cost.
Re: how do i convert png files into vector files????
BT - how well Illustrator's Live Trace function converts your png files depends on the nature of your designs. I converted a png design to vector using Live Trace and it came out perfectly. I then made some little tweaks to the vector design within Illustrator, and Circle-R did the screenprinting...the result was EXCELLENT, better than I had hoped for! I'd suggest you give it a try using Live Trace and experiment with a few different settings within the LT Options. You may end up actually improving your original design when it is in vector format, as I did.
OTOH, I've had some more complex multi-coloured raster images that have not responded so well to Live Trace. I think part of the secret is - if you like working in Pshop first - preparing the image so that it is Illy Live Trace-friendly, so to speak. You might like to look at applying a Posterize adjustment to your Pshop image to prepare it for LT...this link may be useful: When Vector Meets Photo | Layers Magazine
Having said that, I am very much a beginner with graphics software, so can only speak as I have found thus far. I might have lucked out with my design conversion. Good luck.
Re: how do i convert png files into vector files????
If you save the photoshop file as a high resolution PSD file, most screen printers should be able to use it.
If not, you can do a trace of the PNG file using illustrator or coreldraw, or you can send out the file to a company like vectordoctor or artworksource.com and they will covert your file to a vector for like $10-$15
Re: how do i convert png files into vector files????
Yes the live trace in CS2 is truly amazing. Poke around the different otpions it has and you will be able to get a nice piece of finished artwork. If you need the file converted I'll do it for you, forget paying some stupid fee, but it would be more beneficial for you to play around with the trace feature and you will have a lot more freedom. Just play with it, you can't mess up your artwork as long as you have the original file saved.
how do i convert png files into vector files???? 
