I hope this is the right section of the forum for this. I didn't put it in vectorizing/ trace request section because I'm not asking anyone to do it for me. I didn't put it in one of the software specific sections, because I have several of the programs on my PC, so I didn't want to limit my answers to just one piece of software. So here's my question:

I've been hired to do a large van. Most of it is text, which isn't a problem. But the company does have a logo they would like on each side. Problem is, they don't have a very good quality image of the logo. They've sent me the same image in jpg and pdf format, and both are pretty pixelated. I've been practicing my vectorizing and I'm getting better, but this image is giving me fits. I've watched tons of tutorials and they've been helpful. But most that I've found are aimed at vectorizing an already decent quality image. None that I can find are really aimed at fixing this pixelated mess I'm dealing with.

I know I can pay someone to do it for me, but I really feel like I should be able to do this myself. So, I guess what I'm looking for is suggestions. Either good tutorial videos to watch that I haven't found yet, or a decent walk through I can read. Or really any advice that can be offered.

I'm using a PC, win XP. My cutter is a graphtec CE5000 if it matters. I have the following software installed:
SignBlazer
FlexiSign 8.1
CorelDraw
Photoshop
Inkscape

I'm most comfortable with Flexi. But I'll use anything that will attain my desired results.

Thanks all!

Yes, know your limitations.  You could spend hours
making that vector.  If you take 2-3 hours creating it how much
does that come to...$50 - $75 - $100?  Because your lack of skills
made the job longer...you can't  be charging your customer for
all those hours.

Knowing when to delegate and let the experts do it is part of
being a wise business owner.  Send out the tough ones and try
the easy ones yourself.  You will learn little by little and be able to
do more as time goes on. 

Always consider whether your time could be better spent selling
or designing or even being with the family.  If you have unlimited
time on your hands and can take the time to tinker...fine. 
If not, seriously consider outsourcing.
Only you can determine that.

Sue2

Will DeRochers@Excallibur, and pay a very reasonable fee to have it done, then go on to spend your time on something constructive.

You guys talked me into it. Does anyone have contact info for Will?

is it possible for you to email me the image just to see how tough it really is please . i have spent 15 months 5-6 a week for up to 10 hours some day doing vectoring through flexi so i can tell straight away weather its doable and what issue you might have with the image. my email is - thevinyltree@gmail.com. thanks

ok cool send on through

it does take a whole lotta practice. I've been doing graphic design for a while and in the past year with starting cutting i've slowly been getting better at vectorizing but I've just been handed 2 doozy's. and am struggling to get them to vectorize properly for me to use in signblazer.

Make the switch to Flexi. I know a lot of folks like SignBlazer, but it just feels so dated to me. Flexi seems to sort of be the industry standard and has been much easier for me to manipulate graphics.

I can totally identify, it is pricey. I have a simple formula for spending that kind of money. Will I use it everyday? Will it make my life easier? Can it make me money? If I can answer those as a yes, I make the plunge. If I had to go without Flexi, I could easily live with Corel. I used SB, Inkscape and Corel, of those, I liked Corel the best by far.

Flexi is a bit pricey. But once you buy it and see how much easier it is to design with you'll find it to be the greatest asset in not only your cutting but graphics business.