▼ The latest version of CorelDRAW can generate updated versions of existing designs using text prompts AI IN PRINT | JONATHAN PERT 39 www.printmonthly.co.uk Issue 363 - November | December 2026 tages and efficiencies of AI systems. Soldevilla concludes: “Over time, the companies that best combine this expertise with AI-driven insight and automation will become industry leaders, delivering faster, more efficiently, and with greater flexibility than ever before.” Amplify, Not Replace Another technology developer putting AI at the heart of its new solutions is CorelDRAW, a professional graphic design software package designed for vector illustration, photo editing, and typography. The CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2026 September Update introduced a range of AI powered vector graphics tools that are designed to expand the possibilities of professional graphics workflows. New tools in the update include Text-tovector, which uses AI to turn text prompts or existing artwork into editable and scalable vector graphics. Users can choose their existing projects as the source, allowing them to generate updated versions of previous designs with the same look and feel of what they made before. The latest CorelDRAW version also offers an enhanced version of its PowerTRACE feature, which can convert raster images into fully editable vector graphics. The bitmap-to-vector conversion in the latest AI enhanced version of PowerTRACE is reportedly up to four times faster than previous versions, with improved object structure, better colour handling, and more precise AI-powered background removal. As Prakash Channagiri, senior director of product management for CorelDRAW, says: “These new tools join the AI features we launched in CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2026 in March, including the ability to generate raster images from scratch or using existing content, remix images, mask photos, and remove backgrounds. “Whether they are used for creating raster or vector graphics, our AI enhancements are all based on one principle: enabling the designer to harness the power of AI to boost their productivity by speeding the design process, while keeping their vision and creativity in the driver’s seat.” Channagiri notes that vectors are a particularly critical tool for customers in the large-format printing world, where graphics professionals want to minimise the time wasted altering messy nodes or cleaning up low bitrate files. He says: “We know that designers are looking for tools that boost their productivity, take away friction, and save time, especially around tedious production tasks. Many are looking to accelerate their processes while keeping their own personal art and designs at the core of what they do. They aren’t looking for AI to do their work for them, but they do see huge value in using AI to help them rework their existing designs or create derivative art based on their own original creations.” As Channagiri suggests, CorelDRAW has been developed with the mindset of keeping the designer at the centre of the creative process. He asserts: “AI tools are here to amplify this creativity, not replace it. While we do offer the ability to have AI create a design from scratch, we think many of our professional users will find it more valuable to use AI tools to work with their original designs – whether that’s repurposing them without the tedious production work, converting bitmaps to vectors more efficiently, or using the power of AI to create new designs based on the unique style of their previous creations.” The development of CorelDRAW’s tools has reflected the huge leap in AI seen in recent times, with technology offerings completely transforming in the space of months rather than years. Hinting at more news to come in the near future, Channagiri concludes: “Our future product plans are just as exciting as we work on what comes next. We look forward to sharing those details with you all soon.” Elephants in the Room The number of AI specialists within print and its associated industries has skyrocketed in recent years, with a plethora According to a 2026 study from US-based Alliance Insights, 85% of print business now say that AI is critical to staying competitive Factoid
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