Illustrator is built for vectors, so removing a photo background takes a workaround. Here are your options.
or drop images here · paste with Ctrl+V · or
JPG, PNG, WebP or HEIC · up to 25 MB · up to 20 images
No image? Try one of these:
✓ Quick answer
File → Place the photo onto your artboard.
Trace around the subject with the Pen tool.
Select path and image, then Object → Clipping Mask → Make.
For a flat logo on white, Image Trace (Window → Image Trace) with Ignore White in the advanced options converts it into vector shapes without the background.
Tracing hair or fur with the Pen tool is impractical. Remove the background here and place the transparent PNG in Illustrator instead.
Last updated November 14, 2026
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Yes, run Image Trace on the transparent PNG; complex photos produce very large vector files.
Yes.
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