How to Save an Adobe Illustrator File as a JPEG, PNG, and PDF

Within Adobe Illustrator, users can save their work in various formats to ensure that their projects are transferable to other platforms. 

My name is Kerry, an artist and graphic designer who is here to teach you about Adobe Illustrator and how you can best utilize the software to serve your design needs. 

In this article, we will explore the importance of saving Adobe Illustrator files as JPEG, PNG, and PDF files and provide step-by-step instructions on how to do it. Mastering this skill empowers designers to maximize the potential of their artwork while ensuring seamless integration in a variety of contexts.

Ready to learn how to save these types of files? Awesome- let’s get to it! 

Key Takeaways

  • In Adobe Illustrator, users can save their projects in many different file types including PDF, PNG, and JPEG options.
  • Different file types support various uses, such as better image quality, printing, or digital graphics for websites. 
  • The default setting to save an Adobe Illustrator file is as an AI file, but you can also save your projects in other formats as long as you change the format option or export them. 

Saving Files in Adobe Illustrator

While Illustrator’s default file format is .ai, there are instances when it becomes crucial to save files in more commonly used formats like JPEG, PNG, and PDF. 

By saving Illustrator files in these formats, you ensure that your artwork can be easily accessed and viewed by others, regardless of the software they use.

If you are creating graphics or illustrations for websites, saving them as JPEG or PNG allows you to optimize file sizes without compromising image quality. Both formats support compression techniques, which reduce file size while preserving the visual integrity of the artwork. This optimization ensures faster web page loading times and a better user experience.

Finally, JPEG, PDF, and PNG formats are commonly used for printing and publishing purposes. By saving your Illustrator files in these formats, you make it easier to work with printing companies, publishers, or clients who may require high-resolution images for physical prints, magazines, or online publications.

How to Save Files in Adobe Illustrator 

The first thing that you will want to do is open up Adobe Illustrator and choose the file that you are working on. (Then do your thing and design!)

Once you are ready to save your project, you will want to make sure your design is complete and ready for export. Double-check that all elements are properly aligned, grouped, and formatted to your satisfaction.

The default for saving a file in Adobe Illustrator is an ai file. You may automatically want to click on the Save As option, but this is not where you will be able to create saved files for all of these formats! 

How to Save an Adobe Illustrator File as a PDF

If you want to save your project as a PDF file, you can go to the File menu at the top of the screen and then click on the Save or Save As button.

You may see a popup appear that asks you if you want to save to your device or the Adobe Cloud. 

If you choose a device, you will see a variety of options to choose from. You can save your project as a PDF by choosing the Adobe PDF (pdf) option and then clicking on Save.

Your project will then be saved as a PDF version! 

How to Save an Adobe Illustrator File as PNG or JPEG

To save your files as PNG or JPEG files, you will want to go to the File menu and select either the Export or Export As option. 

A popup menu will appear on your screen where you can choose the location where you want to save your file and type in a suitable name for it. Make sure to check Use Artboards so that you won’t be saving unwanted areas in your image.

In the Format dropdown menu, select the type of file that you want to save your project as. This is where you will find the PNG and JPEG options, as well as some other available formats. 

Now you can adjust the quality settings to your preference. (Note that saving your project as a higher quality project results in a larger file size). 

Click on the Export option to save your file as the preferred file type. 

For example, if you chose to save as PNG, you can choose a background color for the image and this is where you can choose a transparent background. 

Also, if you want to save a specific portion of your artwork, you can adjust the artboard size to encompass only the desired area. To do this, select the Artboard tool (Shift + O) and resize it accordingly.

This step is completely optional and applicable only if you don’t want to save the entire artwork.

Final Thoughts

Now you can efficiently export your Illustrator artwork to these different formats, ensuring that your designs are accessible and usable by others. Remember to pay attention to the settings and quality options, as they can impact the final result. 

If you have tips on the type of file that you save your work as in Adobe Illustrator, we would love to hear from you! Please comment down below with any questions that you might still have about this topic!  

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *