How to Convert Adobe Illustrator Files to Black and White

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Create a black-and-white vector image from color artwork.

Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics program that creates vivid color images that you can export for use in different applications. Occasionally you may need a black-and-white -- or gray scale -- version of your artwork, such as for a newspaper ad or a variation on a logo when you don't want the expense of color printing. You can change the artwork to gray scale using a few different methods, depending upon the amount of control you want over the depth of the tonal range.

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Convert to Gray Scale

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Step 1

Open the Illustrator artwork you want to convert to black and white.

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Step 2

Choose "Edit" from the main menu. Scroll to "Edit Colors."

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Step 3

Select "Convert to Grayscale."

Step 4

Click "OK."

Desaturate

Step 1

Choose "Edit" from the main menu with your Illustrator artwork open. Scroll to "Edit Colors," then choose "Recolor Artwork." The "Live Color" dialog box opens.

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Step 2

Locate the "Saturation," "Brightness" and other sliders at the bottom of the window. Click the forward-facing arrow button to the right of the sliders.

Step 3

Select "Global Adjust" from the drop-down menu. Drag the "Saturation" slider all the way to the left so that the level is "-100."

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Step 4

Click "OK."

Adjust Color Balance

Step 1

Choose "Edit" from the main menu. Scroll to "Edit Colors," then scroll to the "Adjust Color Balance" submenu.

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Step 2

Choose "Adjust Color Balance." Click the "Color Mode" drill-down box, and choose "Grayscale."

Step 3

Click both the "Preview" and "Convert" boxes on the right.

Step 4

Click "OK."

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