What the redraw gallery covers
This gallery brings together the sort of work we do for businesses in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Pretoria and Bloemfontein. Some projects start with a scanned logo that needs to be redrawn as clean vector art, while others begin as a rough sketch, a faded label or a low resolution image that needs careful rebuilding.
The examples are grouped by practical use, not by company name. That helps you compare the style, line weight and level of detail before you decide whether you need a simple redraw, a fuller illustration or a set of artwork files ready for print and screen. If you are planning labels, signage or packaging, this is a good place to check what fits your own brief.
Choosing between bitmap tracing and hand redraw
Not every image should be handled the same way. Bitmap tracing can work for simple shapes, flat logos and line art where the source is already clear enough. A hand redraw is better when the original is uneven, blurred, pixelated or has details that need to be cleaned up properly.
We also create illustrations from scratch when the brief needs more than a copy. That can include mascots, icons, patterns, maps, menu art or a scene with local detail. The aim is to keep the artwork sharp at any size and easy to use across print, web and embroidery. It saves a lot of back and forth later on, especially when the original file is a mess.
- Use bitmap tracing for simple artwork with clear edges
- Use hand redraw for old logos, low resolution files or damaged artwork
- Use custom illustration when you need something original, not just a copy
File formats clients ask for
Most redraw jobs end with clean vector files that can be scaled without losing quality. Common deliverables include SVG, EPS, PDF and AI, depending on how the artwork will be used and what your printer or sign maker asks for. We can also prepare versions for social graphics, stickers, menus and packaging layouts.
Because different suppliers work in different ways, it helps to know what the final use is before the redraw starts. A logo for a vinyl sign in Stellenbosch may need different spacing to one used on a small product label in Durban. The file format matters, but so does the way the artwork is set up for real use.
- SVG for web and digital use
- EPS for print workflows and production teams
- PDF for sharing proofs and final artwork
- AI for editable vector source files
Artwork rights and source material
Before any redraw or illustration work starts, the customer must own the artwork or have the right to use it. That includes logos, sketches, scans and reference images sent through for the job. If a mark belongs to someone else, or if the source has rights restrictions, it needs to be cleared first.
That rule protects everyone involved and keeps the job straightforward. It also helps when you are updating an older brand for a new application, whether that is a shopfront in Observatory, a municipal tender pack or a product range being printed in small runs. If the source is yours, we can work from there with no fuss.
Examples by client type and area
The listing cards on this hub point to examples from different parts of South Africa and different kinds of businesses. Some are for startups needing a simple badge or icon set, while others are for established operations that want a cleaner version of artwork they have used for years. The mix includes commercial, hospitality and retail briefs, plus specialised artwork for packaging and promotions.
Typical redraw and illustration requests include:
- Custom brand icons for trade and service businesses
- Mascot illustration for retail, events and school projects
- Packaging illustration for labels and cartons
- Map illustration for locations, routes and venue guides
- Menu illustration, sticker illustration and pattern illustration
- Infographic, badge, line, scene and social graphics artwork
Each page is written by area and client type so you can compare a small logo redraw with a more detailed hand drawn illustration. It makes it easier to brief the right kind of work without guessing.
Working with our Observatory team
Our base is in Observatory, Cape Town and the team handles enquiries from across the country. Luyanda Mthembu oversees projects as Managing Director, with Ayesha Mafokeng on vector artwork, Pieter Skosana leading illustration, Zanele Kajee handling client services, Teboho Molefe managing prepress and Megan Khoza checking final quality.
That setup is useful when a job needs both a clean technical redraw and a careful creative finish.If you need clear artwork that is ready to hand over to a printer or sign maker, this is where the process starts.