What is a 'Vector' ?
"Vector graphics are computer graphics images that are defined in terms of points on a Cartesian plane, which are connected by lines and curves to form polygons and other shapes."
Vector graphics have the unique advantage over raster graphics in that the points, lines, and curves may be scaled up or down to any resolution with no quality loss
Above - JPEG (flat image with distortion when enlarged)
Above - Vector Image (Once 'Live Traced' a JPEG becomes an editable vector. Parts can be moved, separated and scaled with no loss of quality)
Once a JPEG has been converted to a vector using Adobe Illustrator, you'll be able to ungroup colours and sections of your design to move and scale as you wish. This works great when working on artwork for a Risograph print.
Lets get started!...
STEP BY STEP TUTORIAL
1 - Open Adobe Illustrator and create a new file (...lets say A3)
2 - Drag your JPEG onto your new Artboard
3 - Scale down your image to fit on your A3 Artboard and crop if needed.
4 - With your image selected, go to 'Object' > 'Image Trace' > 'Make'
By default your image will be converted into a vector that is black and white. If there are more colours than just black and white we will need to change the 'Trace' settings as below.
Click on the circled box to open the 'Image Trace Panel'
Now - Looking at my original JPEG which was image traced, I have counted 9 different tones of colour.
With your image still selected - In the Image trace panel, change the 'Preset' to '3 Colours'
Now change the Colours Number from 3 to the number of colours you require
(I will choose 9. There are 9 different tones/colours, this will trace every tone in my design for me)
5 - Finally, click on 'Expand' in the top toolbar. This will convert your image into 'paths' which can be edited individually.
That's it!
You now have a editable Vector of your JPEG design. This can now be Ungrouped, re-sized and re-coloured to your preference.