Adobe Illustrator Bulk Batch Action Help

[EmojiStickers.com]

I have about 1800 .png images with transparent backgrounds.

Every .png is exactly the same dimensions. 

I want to place one of each 1800 of the .pngs into an .ai file that's open in Illustrator.

I want Illustrator to create an expanded border around each .png and make the background white, and add a shadow effect. 

Then save the .ai file as the same file name as the .png. 

Delete the .png layer from the .ai file. 

Then move on to the next .png file which would be 2 of 1800. 

Repeat the process for all 1800 .pngs. 

I did this before like a decade ago. I came to a place like this and a genius told me how to do it. 

I'm assuming that this can be done, no? Please let me know!

[Ton Frederiks]

Are you sure this was not done in Photoshop? Looks more like a Photoshop batch action.

[EmojiStickers.com]

Might've been. That's fine too. If you think?

[Ton Frederiks]

Looks certainly like something that could be recorded in Photoshop as an action.

[Kurt Gold]

As far as I understand your request, this should also be possible with an Illustrator batch process.

To verify, you should clarify what exactly you mean by "expanded border" and "add a shadow effect". That is, "expanded border" relative to what? And "add a shadow effect" to just the substantial / visible parts of the .png files or something else?

To get further advice I'd recommend to provide some sample files with clear instructions.

[Ton Frederiks]

Problematic is that Illustrator can not embed a color profile in a PNG file, Photoshop does.

[Kurt Gold]

Quite right, Ton. But if or if not colour profiles are required is just another unknown aspect of the task that should of course be clarified as well.