Trace freehand sketches with drawing tools to create scalable vector art. Add type to complete your standout design.
Published
Hi, I'm Lillian, co-founder of Dalé Zine Shop and Gallery in Miami.
Today I'm going to show you how I turned my sketches into designs that could be printed on merchandise.
In this tutorial, you'll see how I trace my sketches, so they end up as vectors and ready to be placed on a tote.
In this stage, I'm just really sketching out ideas and seeing what sticks.
This one looks great.
Let's take a picture of this one and get it into Illustrator.
I've locked the sketch layer, so I don't accidentally move it.
Layer 2 is where I'll be tracing the sketch using a combination of the Pencil and Pen Tools.
I'm tracing this part with the Pen Tool.
I can always refine the outline later.
I'll draw some of the more fluid parts with the Pencil Tool.
Now I'll hide the sketch layer.
This looks good.
Let's thicken up our strokes to get a bold, contrasty look and feel.
Final touch, let's add some type to finish this off.
I hope this mini tutorial has inspired you to get started on your own merch.
What you'll learn
Freely sketch ideas and import your best
Fill a sketchbook with ideas, then select the best ones. Take a photo and bring it into Illustrator as a reference.
Trace your sketch with drawing tools
Transform your sketch into scalable vector art. Use Illustrator's Pen tool for precision and the Pencil tool for fluid lines, then adjust the outlines for bolder strokes.
Add typography to complete your design
Choose your brand fonts or an expressive typeface from Adobe Fonts. Arrange them in a compelling composition.
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