Exported files are pixelated and poor quality from Illustrator

[Yash Ivory]

Hi!

When I export files from illustrator the quality is noticeable poor and pixelated. I am exporting to PNG ( image info attached).  The first screen shot is from illustrator of the image and the quality is okay. When I export to png and open the image the quality is bad ( second image) and the third image is of the PNG image info.  Can you please help me out to understand why this is happening?

[Yash Ivory]

Hi! I wanted to add that you can really see the issue on the color circles in each image. The screen shot is fine, however the PNG is not.

[Monika Gause]

Please point to the issue.

A PNG is not a vector file and you have to expect pixels in it.

[Ton Frederiks]

Your screen is probably a retina screen which uses mor pixels for the preview in Illustrator.

My screenshots are 144 ppi. To get the same on export, export at 2X instead of 72 ppi.

[michelew83603738]

You are not using vectors when you are exporting pngs and Illustrator is not the best program to deal with pngs. What are you using the graphic for? It might be best to create a pdf to maintain the vectors and you have flexibility for use.

[Yash Ivory]

It's for a logo. How do I export high quality logo in multiple file formats from illustrator?

[Jacob Bugge]

Yash Yash,

If you are using it for both (CMYK) print and web/screen use, and if you wish to have consistent colours throughout, it is usually recommended to first create the artwork/logo in CMYK Color Mode (starting in that mode to prevent your being haunted by conversion induced issues), because there is a wide range of alluring RGB colours that will wither when converted to CMYK.

Then you can create a matching RGB version for web/screen use.

With regard to resolution issues for web/screen use, you could consider SVG if applicable, or double the resolution (one or more times) as suggested by Ton (some screens have 288 PPI, and the number may rise as everything does).

[Yash Ivory]

oh my gosh, Jacob you are amazing! thank you.   It's strange because I was into design about a decade ago and haven't been in the field for a few years, however back then, I could export at 72ppi or dpi and it was fine! I knew all the specs back then, however this field is NOT like riding a bike. You lose it if you don't use it lol.  Anyway, doubling the resolution did help as I have a new macbook pro so I assume my screen is high resolution. I appreciate the design workflow suggestion for CMYK to rgb. I appreciate your help.

[michelew83603738]

If you routinely create logos, there is a plug-in for illustator called Logo Package Express which helps you streamline outputting logos into all of the formats that you could possible need. You might want to check it out. If you are just doing it this one time, then you would follow what @Jacob Bugge has described.

[Yash Ivory]

Hi Michele! You are awesome, thanks for the recommendation. I'll look into the software. I'm getting back into design so it likely will be required in the very near future so thank you again 🙂