When a logo needs more than a quick trace
If you have a fuzzy old logo, a scan from a supplier file, or artwork that was saved too small, a simple trace can look neat at first but still leave crooked curves, weak corners and uneven spacing. A proper redraw is different. We rebuild the artwork by hand, clean up the details and prepare it for practical use across signage, uniforms, packaging and screen applications.
Our team in Observatory has worked on logos and illustration files for businesses that need tidy artwork, not guesswork. We help you get from a low-quality bitmap to a set of working vector files that can be scaled without the jagged edges and colour shifts that often show up in older files.
Bitmap tracing versus hand redraw
Not every artwork job needs the same approach. Sometimes a bitmap trace is enough for a simple shape. Other times the logo needs proper redrawing so the lines, proportions and letterforms are accurate. We look at the source file and choose the method that makes sense for the artwork, the print method and the final use.
- Bitmap tracing: suitable for very simple artwork, but it can carry forward old flaws if the original is rough.
- Hand redraw: best for logos that need corrected curves, sharper details and cleaner spacing.
- Illustration rebuild: used when the artwork has extra elements, textures or line work that needs careful redrawing.
This matters when the file will be used on large signage, small labels or print jobs where colour and line quality need to hold up well.
Vector files you can actually use
We prepare practical vector formats for production and handover, depending on what your printer, signage supplier or internal team needs. The aim is to leave you with artwork that is easy to open, edit and use properly.
- SVG for web and digital use.
- EPS for print and production workflows.
- PDF for easy viewing and sharing.
- AI for editable source artwork where required.
We also pay attention to colour setup, outlines and file structure so the artwork is less likely to cause trouble later. That saves time when the job goes to a printer in Cape Town or to a sign maker in another province.
What you can send us, and what rights apply
Please only send artwork that you own or have the rights to use. That includes logos, sketches, scanned drawings, old brand marks and illustration references that belong to your business or that you are allowed to adapt. If you are not sure about ownership, it is better to check before starting.
Once we receive the source material, we assess the quality, the line detail and the amount of cleanup needed. Some projects are straightforward. Others need a full rebuild because the original file was compressed, stretched or saved from a bad print copy.
Hand-drawn illustrations for labels, menus and more
Logo redraws are only part of the work we handle. We also create hand-drawn vector illustrations for business uses where a plain logo is not enough. These include packaging illustrations, map artwork, menu line art, mascot drawings, social graphics and badge designs. The style can be simple and tidy, or more detailed depending on the brief.
Clients in Durban, Pretoria, Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth often need files that work across different sizes and surfaces. A good vector drawing keeps the same feel whether it is printed on a sticker, engraved on packaging or used in a digital header.
How to choose the right service for your file
If your artwork is already clean and only needs scaling, a light touch may be enough. If the logo is blurry, uneven or missing parts, a full redraw is usually the better choice. For complex artwork, illustration rebuilds can also solve problems with spacing, symmetry and line weight.
- Choose redraw for old, low-resolution logos.
- Choose cleanup for files with minor rough edges or awkward spacing.
- Choose illustration work when the brand needs custom graphics, mascots or detailed line art.
If you are working on a reprint, a new packaging run, or a launch in places like Stellenbosch or Paarl, it helps to start with a file that is prepared properly from the beginning.