How to Make an Outline on an Organic Image Using Adobe Illustrator

by Made Studio in Craft > Digital Graphics

1064 Views, 0 Favorites, 0 Comments

How to Make an Outline on an Organic Image Using Adobe Illustrator

Screenshot 2023-07-09 115712.png

In this tutorial, we will be guiding you through creating an outline and offset path over an organically shaped image using Adobe Illustrator. This is especially helpful for use in sticker making and creating cut lines.

Supplies

Computer with Adobe Ilustrator Installed

Make a Canvas

Screenshot 2023-07-09 115109.png

Open up Adobe Illustrator and Click "New File" to begin choosing a canvas.

Insert Image: File -> Place

Screenshot 2023-07-09 115203.png
Screenshot 2023-07-09 115347.png

Make a Duplicate of the Image

Screenshot 2023-07-09 115359.png

Choose One of the Images and Perform an Image Trace

Screenshot 2023-07-09 115410.png
Screenshot 2023-07-09 115429.png

Expand the Traced Image

Open the "pathfinder" Window

Screenshot 2023-07-09 115441.png

Merge and Unite the Image Trace

Screenshot 2023-07-09 115456.png

Create Offset Path: Object -> Path -> Offset Path

Screenshot 2023-07-09 115519.png
Screenshot 2023-07-09 115533.png

Flip the Fill and Stroke of the Image to Get the Outline

Screenshot 2023-07-09 115548.png

Ungroup Path and Delete Unnecessary Strokes

Screenshot 2023-07-09 115613.png

Make a Duplicate of the Offset Path

Screenshot 2023-07-09 115640.png

Place One Path Over the Image

Select Both the Image and Path and Create a Clipping Mask

Screenshot 2023-07-09 115652.png

Drag the Second Offset Path Over the Clipped Image and Group Together

Screenshot 2023-07-09 115701.png

Resize the Image and Offset Path As Necessary

Screenshot 2023-07-09 115730.png
Screenshot 2023-07-09 115723.png

Finished!