Multi Colour Redraw

What a multi colour redraw actually does

A multi colour redraw turns a flat image, scan or low resolution logo into structured vector artwork with clean fills, controlled linework and colour separation. Instead of keeping the fuzzy edges and broken pixels from a bitmap, we rebuild the artwork so it can be used on a small label, a large wall sign or a vehicle panel without losing clarity.

This service suits logos with layered shapes, shaded details, outline strokes and colour blocks that need careful spacing. In many cases a straight bitmap trace is not enough because it follows every pixel and can leave awkward corners, extra nodes and uneven curves. A hand redraw gives better control over the final result, especially when the original artwork is old, damaged or supplied as a low quality image.

We work from artwork that you own or have the right to use. If a client sends a logo or illustration for redraw, they need to have permission to reproduce it and adapt it into vector form.

How bitmap tracing differs from hand redraw

Bitmap tracing is useful when a simple logo needs a quick vector version, but it can become messy with multi colour art. Fine gradients, small details and overlapping parts often need manual correction. A hand redraw lets us match the original look while improving curve flow, spacing and the overall structure of the artwork.

For some jobs we use a mix of methods. Basic shapes may be traced and then cleaned by hand, while lettering, mascots or decorative parts are rebuilt from scratch.

• Best for complex coloured logos, mascots and emblems
• Helps reduce jagged edges and uneven fills
• Makes artwork easier to edit later
• Improves output for screen print, embroidery and large format print

File formats, colour control and practical sizes

We supply the final vector artwork in common working formats such as SVG, EPS, PDF and AI, depending on what is needed for production or handover. If the job is going to a printer, a sign maker or an internal design team, we can prepare the files in a way that keeps colours and paths clear. Where needed, we can also include a flattened preview for easy checking.

Multi colour redraws are not limited by physical size the way a printed item is. A logo can be prepared for a small sticker, a 90 mm business card mark, a 1 metre sign face or a full vehicle side. For colour matching, we can work from supplied references and keep the artwork consistent for CMYK or spot colour use, depending on the output required.

• SVG for web and digital use
• EPS for print and production workflows
• PDF for client review and sharing
• AI for editable working files

Where multi colour redraws are most useful

This service suits businesses that need a clean version of an older logo, a refreshed illustration for packaging, or a brand mark that must reproduce properly across different applications. It is also useful for companies with multiple branches or teams that need the same artwork in several sizes and file types. We work with clients in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Pretoria, Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth, Stellenbosch and Paarl.

Multi colour redraws are often requested for packaging illustration, menu artwork, sticker designs, badge graphics, social graphics and brand icons. They also help when the original file is locked in a poor format or when the artwork was sent as a screenshot, a fax scan or a photo of a printout. In these cases the redrawn version is far easier to use and looks more professional across all channels.

• Startup identity work and rebrands
• Legacy logos that need cleaning up
• Illustrated marks for products and packaging
• Artwork for signage, uniforms and print collateral

What to check before you order

Before sending a file, check that you have the right to use the artwork and that the source image is as clear as possible. A sharp scan, a vector file or a good quality photo will give a better result than a tiny web image. If the logo has several versions in circulation, send the one that should be matched so we are not redrawing the wrong artwork.

It also helps to confirm the number of colours, any text that must stay exact, and whether the final artwork will be used for print, digital or both. If there are old brand guidelines, send them too. Small details matter, and a missing spacing rule or an off-colour fill can throw off the whole piece.

• Confirm ownership or usage rights
• Send the clearest source file available
• List any required colours or variants
• Note if the file must work for print, web or signage

Care, updates and ongoing file use

Vector artwork does not wear out, but it should be stored properly and used from the correct master file. Keep one clean version for editing and separate exports for print and digital so nobody keeps resizing a low quality copy. If the logo changes later, the redraw can be updated without starting from scratch, which is useful for businesses that refresh packaging or branch graphics over time.

There are no physical requirements for the service itself, as this is a digital artwork process handled from our Observatory base in Cape Town. What matters is that the final files are easy to open, easy to share and ready for the supplier who needs them. For projects with lots of colour layers or detailed illustration, a clean file structure saves time and avoids confusion during production.

We keep the process practical. If the artwork needs a quick cleanup, a careful rebuild or a fuller illustration treatment, we match the method to the job rather than forcing everything into one approach. That is often the difference between a file that merely opens and one that actually works properly.