How to Embed an Image in Adobe Illustrator

Once you have the linked image in Illustrator, make sure it is selected and in the Control Panel at the top, click Embed Image. You can also embed an image from the Links panel and Properties panel under Quick Actions.

My name is April, and I’ve been working in the graphic design field for 13+ years now. Illustrator is great for creating vector graphics as well as layouts in my experience. If you are working with placed graphics and sharing them with others, sometimes it is easier to embed the image so that you don’t have to worry about breaking or losing the link on another computer.

In this tutorial, I’m going to show you three methods to embed an image in Adobe Illustrator. 

Let’s try them out.

Key Takeaways

  • In the Control Panel, you’ll find an Embed button.
  • In the Links panel, if you click the menu button it has an Embed Image(s) option.
  • In the Properties panel under Quick Actions, you can find the Embed Image button.

When and Why to Embed an Image in Adobe Illustrator

Often I will embed an image in Illustrator when I don’t want to worry about having to send along the linked file. Can you imagine trying to explain to a client for them to download both so that the image stays linked? What a nightmare.

The main downside to embedding an image is that it increases the size of your file. This can make it larger to send/download/transfer. It can also bog down Illustrator when working on the file.

Method 1: Embed an Image with the Control Panel

The Control panel is located at the top of Illustrator under the main menu. If you don’t find it, go to the top main menu and click Window > Control to open the Control panel.

Step 1: Using your Selection Tool (or direct selection tool if the image is in a clipping mask) click on to select the image that you want to embed. You will know it is still linked because there are lines that make an x in the middle of the image when selected.

(Image from Freepik)

Step 3: Navigate to the control panel and you should see an Embed. Click the button.

Step 4: Your image is now embedded and you will no longer see the x lines across the middle

Method 2: Embed an Image with the Links Panel

Make sure you have the Links panel showing. If you do not, go to the top main menu and click Window > Links. This will open up and display the Links panel.

Step 1: Select the image like in Method 1.

Step 2: Navigate to the Links panel. Click the menu button (3 lines in the upper right corner) and you will see an Embed Image(s) option. Click that option and your image is now embedded.

Note: You can also use the Links panel to check and see if the image is still linked, or embedded, or to relink the image.

Method 3: Embed an Image with the Properties Panel

Make sure you have the Properties panel showing. If you do not, go to the top main menu and click Window > Properties.

Step 2: Select the image and go to the Properties panel. You’ll see a Quick Actions section and you should see an Embed button and your image is now embedded.

Final Thoughts

I embed my images all the time in Illustrator. It makes it easier to work from multiple computers and send only one file to the customer or printer. The control panel is often my go-to for embedding an image, but all three are relatively quick and easy. 

Have you tried to embed an image in Illustrator before? Which method did you prefer? Let me know in the comments below.

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