How to Flatten an Image in Illustrator in 3 easy ways

Learning how to flatten an image in Illustrator is essential for graphic designers who want to reduce file sizes, speed up saving times, and prepare their artwork for printing.

Whether you’re flattening transparency, using the Layers panel, or rasterizing your design, this guide covers three quick methods to flatten an image without losing quality.

differences between flattening transparency and flattening artwork?

Flattening Transparency merges all objects—such as text, images, and vector shapes—into one single-layer image. This process also signs text, making it uneditable.

It is used primarily when we want to ensure that there are no transparent elements, and this is most useful when we need to print it or save it in another specific file format, such as PDF.

Flattening an artwork combines layers into one, but the individual objects within that layer stay separate. Also, like Flatten Transparency, it does not flatten the contents of a single layer, so you can still move and adjust objects within that layer. Like a label, it’s helpful to organize your layers without committing fully to noneditable objects.

When working in Illustrator, always save an unflattened copy before saving. This is because once you flatten everything, it is not possible to edit it as an open file in the future.

Method 1: Use Flatten Transparency

Step 1: To begin with, using the Selection Tool (V), select all of the visible objects, or Ctrl + A in Windows or Command + A for Mac.

Step 2: While the objects are selected, click on the top menu, click Object, and on the drop-down, select Flatten Transparency.

Step 3: A flat transparency pop-up appears. The Flatten transparency pop-up box offers an array of presets you need to select. Which determines the resolution, or output, of the image quality.

Step 4: Pick presets that work for you; in case you are a newbie, the default presets option is the best choice. Hit OK and proceed. Everything is now in one layer, and the text is also outlined, meaning it is uneditable.

Method 2: Use the Layers Panel

Step 1: Head to Windows on the top menu. On the top down, click the Layers panel. For the shortcut on the keyboard, use F7.

Step 2: Click on the panel’s option. Select all the layers you want to flatten and hit the 3 lines on the top of the layers panel.

Step 3: From the drop-down, choose Flatten Artwork. From the layers panel, you will now note you do not have numerous layers like before; there is now one. This method works without prior selection of the layers.

Step 4: In case you don’t want to merge all the layers, hold the shift and then click on the layers you want to avoid. Click on the 3 lines with layers selected and choose Merge Selected.

The beauty of this option is the fact that you still get to edit the content of each layer, but in this new layer created.

Method 3: Using Rasterize

Step 1: Select all the objects you want to flatten. By Ctrl + A or by dragging the selection tool (V) to capture all the working objects.

Step 2: At the top menu, click on the object. As soon as the drop-down menu appears, down there, click on resize.

Step 3: A pop-up dialogue box appears. It provides all the necessary information that needs to be considered regarding the outcome of the file once it is rasterized.

The options include color model, resolution, background transparency, anti-aliasing, clipping mask, and preserving spot colors. All this works together to ensure the originality of the objects remains. Once you have checked the boxes, click OK. And your objects are all flattened.

Conclusion

Now that you understand how to fatten an image and flatten it, let me know if you have any questions in the comments section. And that is how you simply flatten an image in Adobe Illustrator. Feel free to share in the comments any questions or suggestions.

5 Related Illustrator Tutorials

1. Embeding an image in Illustrator
2. How to Copy in Illustrator
3. How to use Illustrator
4. Removing backgrounds in Illustrator
5. Make an image black and white in Illustrator

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