Why packaging logos need a proper redraw
Packaging suppliers usually need more than one file type. We can supply vector files in SVG, EPS, PDF and AI, depending on how your designer, printer or prepress team prefers to work. Vector files keep lines editable and sharp at any size, which matters when the same logo needs to sit on a 35 mm seal and a 300 mm carton panel.
We also separate work into two broad approaches. Bitmap tracing is suitable when the source is fairly simple and you need a clean conversion from a raster image. Hand redraw is better when the logo has tricky curves, thin script, worn edges or uneven details that need a steadier finish. If the brief includes custom illustration, we can draw icons, mascots, scenes, borders or labels elements in the same style so the pack feels consistent.
- SVG for web and flexible digital use
- EPS for print houses and sign shops
- PDF for proofs and easy sharing
- AI for editable production work where required
Where this service suits best
This service suits food packaging, beverage labels, beauty jars, health products, condiment bottles, soap wraps and retail cartons. It also helps if your current logo was made years ago and has been copied too many times, leaving the file soft or unbalanced. In towns like Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Pretoria and Bloemfontein, packaging often moves through several hands before print, so a tidy vector file can save time and reduce back-and-forth.
We also work well for smaller makers in Stellenbosch, Paarl and Port Elizabeth who need professional artwork for short runs, markets or export-ready pack sets. If you have a local printer, we can prepare the logo in a way that makes sizing and trapping easier.
- Start-ups launching a first product range
- Established brands refreshing old packaging artwork
- Co-packers and suppliers needing consistent file sets
What to send before we start
The best starting point is the clearest file you have, even if it is not ideal. A decent scan, a PDF, a photo of the label or an old artwork file can all help. Please only send logos and illustrations that you own or are authorised to use, and tell us if the mark has any changes that must stay exact, such as a registered symbol, border line or slogan.
To keep the redraw accurate, it helps to know the final print size, the substrate and the finish. A logo on a matte paper label may need slightly different line treatment from one on a shiny shrink sleeve. If the pack must meet municipal labelling rules or importer requirements, we can keep the artwork orderly so your printer has less to correct later. Some clients only need the logo, while others need the logo plus support artwork, and both routes are fine.
- Source artwork or best available copy
- Approximate label or pack size
- Print method and material if known
- Any must-keep colours, wording or symbols
Care, servicing and future file use
Once a packaging logo has been redrawn properly, it is easier to maintain over time. Keep the master files in more than one safe place and avoid editing a flattened picture version if you need to make changes later. If a packaging range grows, we can adapt the same artwork for extra flavours, seasonal packs or line extensions without starting from scratch.
There is no physical servicing needed, but there is good file care. When a printer asks for revisions, send the vector version rather than a screenshot. If you plan to use the same mark for stickers, menu inserts, social graphics or trade sheets, it helps to keep the line weights and spacing consistent. That way the pack, the product sheet and the online image all speak the same visual language, even if a small typo slips through on a rushed brief.
- Store the editable master safely
- Use the correct file for each supplier
- Request updated exports before reprinting old stock
How we work from Observatory, Cape Town
Vectorization Studio is based in Observatory, Cape Town and serves businesses across South Africa. Founded in 1994, the studio is led by Luyanda Mthembu, with Ayesha Mafokeng on senior vector work, Pieter Skosana leading illustration, Zanele Kajee handling client services, Teboho Molefe on prepress coordination and Megan Khoza on quality control. That means packaging redraws are checked by more than one set of eyes before files are sent out.
Clients usually get in touch through the enquiry form on our contact page. From there we review the artwork, confirm the file needs and work through the redraw in a practical way. Whether the job is a simple logo cleanup or a full hand-drawn label illustration, the goal is the same: files that print cleanly, fit the pack properly and are easy for your production team to use.
- Observatory, Cape Town base
- Serving Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Pretoria and Bloemfontein
- Also working with clients in Port Elizabeth, Stellenbosch and Paarl
Key facts
| Service type | Packaging logo redraw and vector illustration |
|---|---|
| File formats | SVG, EPS, PDF, AI |
| Artwork methods | Bitmap tracing or hand redraw |
| Use cases | Labels, cartons, sleeves, pouches and stickers |
| Location | Observatory, Cape Town |
| Coverage | South Africa wide, including major metro areas |
