Author
Sven Borden
Creator of Swiss Vector SVG
Sven Borden builds and runs Swiss Vector SVG, a raster-to-vector converter made in Switzerland.
Sven writes the guides on this blog: how to get clean vector files out of logos, scans, sketches and photos, and how to prepare them for cutting machines, lasers, print and the web.
how to make a stencil svg
How to Make a Stencil SVG from an Image
Turn an image into a stencil SVG. Why stencils need bridges, how to vectorize the art, and how to keep every shape connected before you cut.
svg favicon
How to Make an SVG Favicon from a PNG
Turn a PNG logo into a crisp, scalable SVG favicon. Why SVG favicons stay sharp, how to convert and add one, and how browsers fall back when needed.
convert coloring page to svg
How to Convert a Coloring Page to an SVG
Turn a printable coloring page (PNG or JPG) into a clean, recolourable SVG. Why line art vectorizes so well, how to trace it, and how to fill each region.
svg vs dxf
SVG vs DXF for Laser, CNC and Vinyl Cutting
SVG vs DXF for laser cutting, CNC, and vinyl: what each format stores, how they handle colour and units, and how to get a clean file for either from a PNG.
svg vs ai file format
SVG vs AI: Which Vector Format Should You Use?
SVG vs AI file format compared: what each one is, when to use it, and how to get a clean, web-ready SVG from a raster logo in a few seconds.
svg for cnc router
SVG for CNC Router: Prep a Clean Cut File
Turn a logo or design into a clean SVG for your CNC router. SVG vs DXF, how to vectorize a raster image, and how to prep the paths for CAM toolpaths.
vectorize signature to svg
How to Vectorize a Signature into an SVG
Turn a scanned or photographed signature into a crisp, scalable SVG: why a scan won't scale, how to trace it, and how to get a transparent background.
svg transparent background
How to Make an SVG with a Transparent Background
SVGs are transparent by default — so why does your converted file have a solid block behind it? Here's what causes it and how to get a clean, transparent SVG.
svg settings for vinyl cutting
The Best SVG Settings for Vinyl Cutting
The trace settings that make an SVG weed cleanly on a vinyl cutter: Detail, Colors and Corner sharpness, plus a weeding-first checklist.
how to vectorize a photo
How to Vectorize a Photo (and When Not To)
Photos are the hardest images to vectorize. Learn how to trace a photo into a clean SVG, which pictures actually work, and how to prep one that doesn't.
svg vs eps for logos
SVG vs EPS for Logos: Which Should You Use?
SVG vs EPS for logos: both are vectors, but SVG is web-native and EPS is print-legacy. When to keep each, and how to get a clean SVG from a raster logo.
best image format for laser engraving
Best Image Format for Laser Engraving
Which image format engraves best on a laser cutter? Vector SVG for cuts and scores, high-contrast raster for photo engraving. A format-by-format guide.
svg for screen printing
SVG for Screen Printing: Prep Spot-Colour Art
Screen printing needs one flat colour per screen. Why a PNG won't separate cleanly, how to convert art to a spot-colour SVG, and what to hand your printer.
svg for silhouette cameo
How to Make an SVG Cut File for Silhouette Cameo
Turn a PNG or JPG into a cut file for Silhouette Cameo. Why Silhouette Studio needs SVG or DXF, the free-vs-paid catch, and how to import it.
prepare a logo for embroidery
How to Prepare a Logo for Embroidery Digitizing
Embroidery needs a stitch file, but digitizing starts from a clean vector. How to convert your logo to a crisp SVG, simplify it for thread, and hand it off.
svg vs pdf for print
SVG vs PDF for Print: Which Should You Send?
SVG vs PDF for print: both are vector formats, but print shops want PDF. Why that is, when SVG is the better working file, and how to get from one to the other.
vectorize a hand-drawn sketch
How to Vectorize a Hand-Drawn Sketch into an SVG
Turn a photo or scan of a pencil or ink sketch into a clean, editable SVG. How to prep the drawing, trace it, and fix messy lines in one pass.
clean up traced svg
How to Clean Up a Traced SVG (Step by Step)
Your auto-traced SVG has stray dots, too many nodes, or messy colours? Here's how to clean up a vectorized SVG — at the source and in Inkscape or Illustrator.
cricut cut file from png
How to Make a Cricut Cut File from a PNG
Turn a PNG into a clean SVG cut file for Cricut Design Space in three steps. Why PNGs don't cut, how to vectorize, and how to import the result.
png vs svg for web
PNG vs SVG for the Web: Which Should You Use?
PNG vs SVG for the web — which format loads faster, scales sharper, and when each one wins. A practical comparison with a quick cheat-sheet table.