How to Fix a Blurry Logo or Image: 2 Proven Methods Using Photoshop and Illustrator
If you’ve ever tried to upscale or reuse a logo or image only to find it looking blurry or pixelated, you’re not alone. Whether it’s a logo from an old website or a low-resolution graphic sent by a client, blurry images are a common problem in design work.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through two professional methods to fix a blurry logo or image, one using Adobe Photoshop and the other using Adobe Illustrator. Each method has its strengths depending on the type of image you’re working with.
🔧 What You'll Need:
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Adobe Photoshop
And/Or -
Adobe Illustrator
If you don’t have access to either program, you could consider using our image vectorization service. It can save you the time and cost of investing in the software yourself.
Photoshop is mainly designed for raster images (such as JPGs and PNGs), but it also supports working with vectors. Illustrator, on the other hand, is built specifically for vector graphics, which can be scaled to any size without losing quality. Both programs can be used to sharpen or recreate blurry logos and graphics—the best choice depends on your project needs.
🛠 Method 1: Fix a Blurry Logo Using Photoshop
This method is ideal for raster logos—think JPGs or PNGs that have some blur due to scaling or compression.
Step-by-Step Guide:
1. Open the Image in Photoshop
Start by importing the blurry image into Photoshop. Zoom in to identify the edges of your logo or text.
2. Use the Pen Tool to Create a Work Path
Select the Pen Tool (P) from the toolbar. Carefully trace around the edges of the logo or design elements. If you prefer, you can use a smart selection tool to create an initial selection, but manual tracing gives you more control.
3. Convert the Selection to a Work Path
Once your selection is complete, go to the Paths panel and click “Make Work Path from Selection.” A dialog box will pop up asking for the Tolerance.
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Set the Tolerance to 1.0 by default.
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The lower the tolerance, the more precise and detailed the path will be.
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Increasing the tolerance makes the path less accurate but smoother, which might be helpful for simple shapes.
Adjust based on the complexity of your image.
4. Create a Vector Mask
With the path selected, right-click and choose “Create Vector Mask.” This will mask out the non-essential areas and give your design crisp, clean edges.
5. Refine Edges and Export
Use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to fine-tune anchor points on the vector mask if needed. You can then fill the vector shapes with solid colors or recreate gradients and details as needed.
Finally, export the file in a high-resolution format or as a vector (PDF/SVG) depending on your use case.
✅ This method works best for simple logos and text-based graphics.
🎨 Method 2: Fix a Blurry Logo Using Illustrator (Best for Vector Conversion)
Illustrator is built for clean, scalable vector graphics, making it the ideal choice for converting a blurry logo into a sharp vector.
Step-by-Step Guide:
1. Import the Blurry Image into Illustrator
Drag and drop your image into an Illustrator document. Select it to begin the tracing process.
2. Open the Image Trace Panel
Go to Window > Image Trace to open the panel. You’ll see various preset options such as:
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Black and White Logo
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High Fidelity Photo
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Low Fidelity Photo
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3 Colors, 6 Colors, etc.
🧠 Pro Tip: For logos, the Black and White Logo or 3 Color preset is often best.
3. Adjust Image Trace Settings
Click on the preset that best matches your image style. Then fine-tune the settings:
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Threshold: Determines how much detail is captured.
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Paths: Adjusts the accuracy of the traced paths.
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Corners and Noise: Helps clean up rough or fuzzy edges.
You can preview the changes in real-time.
4. Expand the Image
Once satisfied, click “Expand” in the top toolbar. This converts your trace into editable vector paths.
5. Clean Up the Paths
Use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to edit, remove, or adjust any anchor points or shapes that need refinement.
You now have a sharp, scalable version of your previously blurry image or logo.
✅ Illustrator is especially effective for logos, icons, and flat graphics that need to be reused across print and digital media.
📌 Additional Tips & Considerations
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These methods work best for simple or moderately complex images (like logos, line art, or icons).
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It is possible to fix blurry full-color digital images, but the process is more involved and may require manual redrawing or advanced tracing techniques. We’ll cover that in a future blog—stay tuned!
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If your image is too pixelated for you to even see the outlines clearly, consider contacting the original creator for a high-resolution or vector version.
📈 Summary & Takeaways
If you're searching for:
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How to fix a blurry logo
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Fix pixelated images in Photoshop
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Convert blurry image to vector
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Image trace logo in Illustrator
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Make a logo high resolution
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Photoshop vs Illustrator for logo repair
This guide has you covered. Both Photoshop and Illustrator offer robust tools to clean up and convert low-quality images into polished, professional graphics.
✅ Conclusion
Don’t let a blurry image ruin your branding or design project. With Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, you have powerful tools at your fingertips to restore clarity and precision. Whether you’re working with raster or vector formats, the right method will bring your design back to life.
Want help with full-color image restoration or complex graphics? We’ll dive into that in a future post.