How to Crop an Image in Illustrator

We’re not cutting corners here.
AshAsh Ash (362)
Nov 19, 2020
2 minutes

Images are easy to crop in Illustrator—it even comes with a tool just for the job. Any version of Illustrator will work, but sometimes menus move between different editions. In most versions, you can open the image in Illustrator, select it, and use the Crop Image tool from the Object menu to crop the image.

If you’re new to Illustrator, check out our guide on how to disable the start screen in Adobe Illustrator.

Adobe IllustratorAdobe IllustratorAdobe Illustrator ×1

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Image Open in IllustratorImage Open in Illustrator

Open the image you want to crop in Illustrator. You can drag and drop the image file onto the Illustrator workspace or open it using the File > Open menu.

Select Image IllustratorSelect Image Illustrator

Select the image using the Selection Tool in the left tool tray. It looks like a black cursor with a white outline.

Using the Selection Tool, click on the image you want to crop. When it’s highlighted, a box will appear around the edge.

Crop Image IllustratorCrop Image Illustrator

To crop the image, use the Crop Tool. Go to Object > Crop Image. With the crop tool, you can adjust the image by dragging and dropping the edges.

Save Image IllustratorSave Image Illustrator

When you’ve finished making adjustments, save the image or continue working with your Illustrator project.

You may also be interested in our guide on how to make a transparent background.

Storing image files in Illustrator projects.
AshAsh Ash (362)
Nov 19, 2020
5 minutes

Embedding an image in Illustrator will store a copy of the image file within the AI project. This will make the project size bigger, as it now accommodates the whole image rather than linking to it.

How to Crop an Image in Illustrator

We’re not cutting corners here.
AshAsh Ash (362)
Nov 19, 2020
2 minutes

Images are easy to crop in Illustrator—it even comes with a tool just for the job. Any version of Illustrator will work, but sometimes menus move between different editions. In most versions, you can open the image in Illustrator, select it, and use the Crop Image tool from the Object menu to crop the image.

If you’re new to Illustrator, check out our guide on how to disable the start screen in Adobe Illustrator.

Adobe IllustratorAdobe IllustratorAdobe Illustrator ×1

Howchoo is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you when you buy through our links.

Image Open in IllustratorImage Open in Illustrator

Open the image you want to crop in Illustrator. You can drag and drop the image file onto the Illustrator workspace or open it using the File > Open menu.

Select Image IllustratorSelect Image Illustrator

Select the image using the Selection Tool in the left tool tray. It looks like a black cursor with a white outline.

Using the Selection Tool, click on the image you want to crop. When it’s highlighted, a box will appear around the edge.

Crop Image IllustratorCrop Image Illustrator

To crop the image, use the Crop Tool. Go to Object > Crop Image. With the crop tool, you can adjust the image by dragging and dropping the edges.

Save Image IllustratorSave Image Illustrator

When you’ve finished making adjustments, save the image or continue working with your Illustrator project.

You may also be interested in our guide on how to make a transparent background.

Storing image files in Illustrator projects.
AshAsh Ash (362)
Nov 19, 2020
5 minutes

Embedding an image in Illustrator will store a copy of the image file within the AI project. This will make the project size bigger, as it now accommodates the whole image rather than linking to it.

 
1

How to Crop an Image in Illustrator

We’re not cutting corners here.
AshAsh Ash (362)
Nov 19, 2020
2 minutes

Images are easy to crop in Illustrator—it even comes with a tool just for the job. Any version of Illustrator will work, but sometimes menus move between different editions. In most versions, you can open the image in Illustrator, select it, and use the Crop Image tool from the Object menu to crop the image.

If you’re new to Illustrator, check out our guide on how to disable the start screen in Adobe Illustrator.

Adobe IllustratorAdobe IllustratorAdobe Illustrator ×1

Howchoo is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you when you buy through our links.

Image Open in IllustratorImage Open in Illustrator

Open the image you want to crop in Illustrator. You can drag and drop the image file onto the Illustrator workspace or open it using the File > Open menu.

Select Image IllustratorSelect Image Illustrator

Select the image using the Selection Tool in the left tool tray. It looks like a black cursor with a white outline.

Using the Selection Tool, click on the image you want to crop. When it’s highlighted, a box will appear around the edge.

Crop Image IllustratorCrop Image Illustrator

To crop the image, use the Crop Tool. Go to Object > Crop Image. With the crop tool, you can adjust the image by dragging and dropping the edges.

Save Image IllustratorSave Image Illustrator

When you’ve finished making adjustments, save the image or continue working with your Illustrator project.

You may also be interested in our guide on how to make a transparent background.

Storing image files in Illustrator projects.
AshAsh Ash (362)
Nov 19, 2020
5 minutes

Embedding an image in Illustrator will store a copy of the image file within the AI project. This will make the project size bigger, as it now accommodates the whole image rather than linking to it.

How to Crop an Image in Illustrator

We’re not cutting corners here.
AshAsh Ash (362)
Nov 19, 2020
2 minutes

Images are easy to crop in Illustrator—it even comes with a tool just for the job. Any version of Illustrator will work, but sometimes menus move between different editions. In most versions, you can open the image in Illustrator, select it, and use the Crop Image tool from the Object menu to crop the image.

If you’re new to Illustrator, check out our guide on how to disable the start screen in Adobe Illustrator.

Adobe IllustratorAdobe IllustratorAdobe Illustrator ×1

Howchoo is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you when you buy through our links.

How to Crop an Image in Illustrator

Crop an Image with Illustrator
We’re not cutting corners here.
AshAsh Ash (362)
Nov 19, 2020
2 minutes
Ash
 
1
How to Disable the Start Screen in Adobe Illustrator
Adobe IllustratorAdobe IllustratorAdobe Illustrator ×1

Howchoo is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you when you buy through our links.

Adobe IllustratorAdobe IllustratorAdobe Illustrator ×1
Adobe Illustrator
Table of Contents

Jump to step:

  1. Open the image in Illustrator
  2. Select the image
  3. Use the Crop Image tool
  4. Save the changes
 
1
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Image Open in IllustratorImage Open in Illustrator

Open the image you want to crop in Illustrator. You can drag and drop the image file onto the Illustrator workspace or open it using the File > Open menu.

Image Open in IllustratorImage Open in Illustrator

Open the image you want to crop in Illustrator. You can drag and drop the image file onto the Illustrator workspace or open it using the File > Open menu.

Open the image in Illustrator

Image Open in Illustrator
Select Image IllustratorSelect Image Illustrator

Select the image using the Selection Tool in the left tool tray. It looks like a black cursor with a white outline.

Using the Selection Tool, click on the image you want to crop. When it’s highlighted, a box will appear around the edge.

Select Image IllustratorSelect Image Illustrator

Select the image using the Selection Tool in the left tool tray. It looks like a black cursor with a white outline.

Using the Selection Tool, click on the image you want to crop. When it’s highlighted, a box will appear around the edge.

Select the image

Select Image Illustrator
Crop Image IllustratorCrop Image Illustrator

To crop the image, use the Crop Tool. Go to Object > Crop Image. With the crop tool, you can adjust the image by dragging and dropping the edges.

Crop Image IllustratorCrop Image Illustrator

To crop the image, use the Crop Tool. Go to Object > Crop Image. With the crop tool, you can adjust the image by dragging and dropping the edges.

Use the Crop Image tool

Crop Image Illustrator
Save Image IllustratorSave Image Illustrator

When you’ve finished making adjustments, save the image or continue working with your Illustrator project.

You may also be interested in our guide on how to make a transparent background.

Save Image IllustratorSave Image Illustrator

When you’ve finished making adjustments, save the image or continue working with your Illustrator project.

You may also be interested in our guide on how to make a transparent background.

Save the changes

Save Image IllustratorHow to Make the Background Transparent in Illustrator
Storing image files in Illustrator projects.
AshAsh Ash (362)
Nov 19, 2020
5 minutes

Embedding an image in Illustrator will store a copy of the image file within the AI project. This will make the project size bigger, as it now accommodates the whole image rather than linking to it.

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Storing image files in Illustrator projects.
AshAsh Ash (362)
Nov 19, 2020
5 minutes

Embedding an image in Illustrator will store a copy of the image file within the AI project. This will make the project size bigger, as it now accommodates the whole image rather than linking to it.

NEXT UP
How to Embed Images in Illustrator
Embedding an Image in Adobe Illustrator
Storing image files in Illustrator projects.
AshAsh Ash (362)
Nov 19, 2020
5 minutes
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Ash is an experienced tech writer with an endless passion for technology. She enjoys retro gaming, 3D printing, and making awesome projects on the Raspberry Pi.
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