How to Make an Image Black and White in Illustrator

If you are searching for how to make an image black and white in Illustrator, the right method depends on the type of image you are editing. Illustrator can handle placed raster photos, vector artwork, logos, icons, and traced graphics, but each one needs a slightly different workflow.

This guide focuses on practical Illustrator methods for turning an image black and white while keeping the file useful for design, print, web graphics, logos, and layout work.

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First, Know What Kind of Image You Have

Before you make an image black and white in Illustrator, check whether your image is raster or vector.

A raster image is a photo or pixel-based file, such as JPEG, PNG, or WebP. Illustrator can place and display it, but detailed photo editing is limited compared with Photoshop.

A vector image is made from paths, shapes, fills, and strokes. Illustrator is excellent for converting vector artwork to grayscale or pure black and white because each object can be edited directly.

This matters because a photo, a logo, and an icon should not all be converted the same way.

Method 1: Convert Vector Artwork to Grayscale

If your artwork is made of editable Illustrator shapes, use the Recolor Artwork or Edit Colors options.

1. Select the vector artwork.
2. Go to Edit > Edit Colors > Convert to Grayscale.
3. Review the result.
4. Adjust individual fills or strokes if some areas need more contrast.

This is one of the easiest ways to make vector artwork black and white in Illustrator. It works well for icons, illustrations, flat graphics, badges, and simple logo concepts.

Method 2: Use Recolor Artwork for Better Control

For more control, use Recolor Artwork.

1. Select your artwork.
2. Click the Recolor Artwork button in the Properties panel, or go to Edit > Edit Colors > Recolor Artwork.
3. Reduce the artwork to grayscale or assign colors manually to black, white, and gray values.
4. Apply the result and inspect the contrast.

Recolor Artwork is useful when a design has many colors and you want a cleaner black and white version. Instead of blindly removing color, you can decide which original colors become dark, medium, or light gray.

Method 3: Make a Placed Photo Black and White

If you placed a photo in Illustrator, the options are more limited. Illustrator is not primarily a photo editor, so the cleanest workflow is often to edit the photo in Photoshop or an online black and white image converter first, then place the finished file into Illustrator.

However, you can still work inside Illustrator in some cases:

1. Select the placed image.
2. If it is embedded, check whether Edit > Edit Colors options are available.
3. Try Edit > Edit Colors > Convert to Grayscale.
4. If the option is unavailable or the result is poor, edit the image externally and relink it.

Method 4: Edit the Linked Image, Then Update Illustrator

For a placed raster photo, the most reliable professional workflow is to keep the image linked and edit it outside Illustrator.

1. Select the image in Illustrator.
2. Open the Links panel.
3. Choose Edit Original.
4. Convert the image to black and white in Photoshop or another image editor.
5. Save the edited image.
6. Return to Illustrator and update the linked file.

This method keeps your Illustrator document cleaner. It also gives you better control over contrast, tones, resolution, and export quality.

Method 5: Use Image Trace for a Pure Black and White Look

If you want a hard black and white graphic instead of a grayscale photo, use Image Trace.

1. Select the raster image.
2. Open Window > Image Trace.
3. Choose a black and white preset, such as Black and White Logo.
4. Adjust the Threshold slider.
5. Click Expand if you want editable vector shapes.

This method is good for logos, stamps, scanned drawings, signatures, icons, and high-contrast graphics. It is not usually the best choice for portraits or detailed photos because it removes most gray tones.

Grayscale vs Pure Black and White in Illustrator

When people ask how to make an image black and white in Illustrator, they may mean one of two things.

Grayscale means the image uses black, white, and many gray tones. This is best for photos, realistic artwork, print layouts, and softer design work.

Pure black and white means the image uses only black and white with no gray. This is best for logos, line art, stamps, screen printing, vinyl cutting, and simple high-contrast graphics.

Use grayscale for natural images. Use Image Trace with threshold when you need a pure black and white vector result.

Make a Logo Black and White in Illustrator

For logos, start by selecting all logo elements. Then use Edit > Edit Colors > Convert to Grayscale. After that, manually set the main logo shape to black and the background or negative space to white if needed.

If the logo has gradients, shadows, or many similar colors, inspect the result carefully. Some colors that looked different in color may become almost identical in grayscale. In that case, manually adjust the fills so the logo stays readable.

For a final logo file, create separate versions:

Make an Illustration Black and White in Illustrator

For illustrations, use Recolor Artwork rather than a one-click conversion when possible. Illustrations often rely on color relationships, so you may need to rebuild the contrast in grayscale.

After converting, check the focal point. If the main subject does not stand out, darken the background, lighten the subject, or simplify unnecessary midtones. Black and white illustration works best when the viewer can understand the image shape quickly.

Make a Photo Layout Black and White in Illustrator

If you are designing a poster, flyer, presentation graphic, or web layout, you may place a photo inside Illustrator and want it black and white.

The best workflow is:

1. Convert the photo to black and white outside Illustrator.
2. Save it as JPEG, PNG, TIFF, or PSD depending on the project.
3. Place or relink the image in Illustrator.
4. Use Illustrator for typography, layout, icons, and final composition.

This keeps each tool doing what it does best. The photo editor handles tones, and Illustrator handles design.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not expect Illustrator to behave exactly like Photoshop for photo conversion. Illustrator can place photos, but it is not the best tool for detailed photo tone control.

Do not use Image Trace for every image. Image Trace is powerful for pure black and white graphics, but it can destroy detail in photos.

Do not forget to check contrast after converting. A colorful design can become muddy when all colors turn into similar gray values.

Do not expand traced artwork unless you really need editable vector paths. Expanded trace results can create many points and make the file heavier.

FAQ

Can Illustrator make an image black and white?

Yes. Illustrator can make vector artwork black and white with Edit Colors or Recolor Artwork. It can also convert some embedded raster images to grayscale, and it can create pure black and white vector art with Image Trace.

What is the best way to make a photo black and white in Illustrator?

For a photo, the best workflow is usually to convert the image in Photoshop or another image editor, then place or relink the finished black and white image in Illustrator.

How do I make a pure black and white image in Illustrator?

Use Image Trace with a black and white preset, then adjust the Threshold slider. This creates a two-tone result with black and white instead of gray tones.

How do I make vector art grayscale in Illustrator?

Select the artwork, then go to Edit > Edit Colors > Convert to Grayscale. For more control, use Recolor Artwork and manually adjust the gray values.

Conclusion

The best answer to how to make an image black and white in Illustrator depends on whether the image is vector artwork or a raster photo. For vectors, use Convert to Grayscale or Recolor Artwork. For photos, edit the image externally and relink it. For pure black and white graphics, use Image Trace and adjust the threshold until the result is clean and readable.