Vector and icon tools

A logo has to work at the size of a browser tab icon and at the size of a truck, and only a vector file scales that far without blurring. Vector graphics are stored as points and curves instead of pixels, so they stay sharp at any size. The tools here help you draw vectors, convert existing images into vectors, and find icons that are already in vector form.

Adobe Illustrator is the standard professional vector editor, and it now includes AI features for generating and recoloring vector artwork. Linearity Curve is a vector design app for Mac, iPad and iPhone with an auto-trace feature. Kittl is a browser-based design tool with fonts, templates and text effects aimed at logos, labels and merchandise.

Vectorizer.AI converts a pixel image, such as a PNG logo or a scanned sketch, into a vector file automatically. This helps when the only copy of an old logo is a small JPG. Check the result closely at large sizes, because automatic tracing can add extra points, round off sharp corners or merge shapes that should stay separate.

Icon libraries such as The Noun Project, Flaticon, Icons8, Iconscout and Font Awesome hold large collections of ready-made icons, mostly available as SVG. They speed up website and marketing work. For a logo, be careful: a stock icon can be licensed by thousands of other businesses, some licenses don't allow use in logos or trademarks, and many free icons require you to credit the creator. Read each library's license before an icon becomes part of your main mark.

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9 logo and brand tools in vector and icon tools

Adobe Illustrator

by Adobe

Professional vector editor used for logos and brand graphics, with Firefly features for generating and recoloring vector art.

  • Exports vector files (SVG, EPS or PDF)

Vectorizer.AI

Converts pixel images such as PNG logos or scanned sketches into vector files automatically, in the browser or through an API.

  • Exports vector files (SVG, EPS or PDF)
  • Developer API

Kittl

Browser design tool with fonts, templates and text effects aimed at logos, labels and merchandise, plus AI image tools.

  • Free plan or free use

Linearity Curve

by Linearity

Vector design app for Mac, iPad and iPhone, with auto-trace for turning images into vectors and tools for logos and illustration.

  • Exports vector files (SVG, EPS or PDF)

The Noun Project

by Noun Project

Large library of icons and photos from independent creators, free with credit or licensed without it, downloadable as SVG.

  • Free plan or free use
  • Exports vector files (SVG, EPS or PDF)
  • Developer API

Flaticon

by Freepik Company

Icon library with editable SVG icons in many styles; free icons usually need a credit line, and a paid plan removes that.

  • Free plan or free use
  • Exports vector files (SVG, EPS or PDF)

Icons8

Icons, illustrations and photos in consistent styles, plus AI tools such as an image upscaler and background remover.

  • Free plan or free use
  • Developer API

Iconscout

Marketplace of icons, illustrations, 3D assets and Lottie animations, with free and premium items and design-tool plugins.

  • Free plan or free use

Font Awesome

by Fonticons

Icon toolkit used on many websites, with a free set and a larger paid set, available as SVG files and an icon font.

  • Free plan or free use
  • Exports vector files (SVG, EPS or PDF)

Whichever tool you use, keep one master file for the logo with every version in it: full color, one color, white for dark backgrounds, and a square icon for social profiles and app stores. Export from that master each time, so you never end up resizing an old PNG.

Before you send files to a printer or sign maker, open the SVG or PDF and zoom in on the curves and corners. Check that fonts were converted to outlines, so the lettering shows correctly on a computer that does not have the font installed.

If you buy icons for a website, pick one library and one style and stay with it. Icons drawn by different people at different line weights look mismatched on the same page.

Questions about vector and icon tools

What is the difference between a vector and a raster logo?

A raster logo is made of pixels, like a PNG or JPG, and blurs when enlarged. A vector logo is made of shapes and curves, like an SVG or EPS, and stays sharp at any size. Printers and sign makers usually ask for vector files.

Can I convert my old PNG logo into a vector?

Yes. Tools like Vectorizer.AI trace the image and output a vector file. Results depend on the quality of the original, so zoom in and fix stray points or rounded corners before you send it to a printer.

Can I use a free icon in my logo?

Check the license first. Many free icons need attribution, some licenses exclude logos and trademarks, and other businesses can use the same icon. A mark of your own is safer for a brand you plan to keep.

Do I need Adobe Illustrator to make a logo?

No. Linearity Curve, Kittl and other editors produce vector files too. Illustrator is common among professional designers, which helps if you plan to hand files to an agency later.

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