Adobe Illustrator is a powerful tool for creating vector graphics; however, there are times when you need to export your design as a PNG for web use, presentations, or other purposes. Here is a simple guide to exporting your artwork as a PNG in Adobe Illustrator.

Step 1: Open Your File

Launch Adobe Illustrator and open the file you want to export.

Step 2: Select the Artboard or Object

  • If you want to export the entire design, ensure everything is within the artboard.
  • If you need to export a specific object, select that object.

Step 3: Open the Export Panel

There are two common ways to export as PNG:

Method 1: Quick Export

  1. Click on File > Export > Export As.
  2. Choose a location to save the file.
  3. Select PNG from the Save as type dropdown.
  4. Click Export.

Method 2: Export for Screens (Recommended for Web & UI)

  1. Click File > Export > Export for Screens.
  2. Under the Artboards or Assets tab, select what you want to export.
  3. Choose PNG as the format.
  4. Set the Scale (e.g., 1x, 2x for high-resolution images).
  5. Click Export Artboard or Export Asset.

Step 4: Adjust PNG Export Settings

When exporting as PNG, Illustrator gives you some options:

  • Resolution: Choose Screen (72 PPI) for web or High (300 PPI) for print.
  • Background: PNG supports transparency. If you need a transparent background, ensure the Background Color is set to Transparent.
  • Anti-Aliasing: Choose Art Optimized (Supersampling) for the best quality.

Step 5: Save and Check the Output

  • Navigate to the saved location to find your .png file.
  • Open the PNG file in an image viewer to ensure it looks as expected.

Bonus Tips

  • Use Export for Screens if you need multiple resolutions (e.g., 1x, 2x, 3x for different screen sizes).
  • Use Save for Web (Legacy) if you need more control over file size and quality.

That’s it! You’ve successfully exported your Illustrator design as a PNG.