❓ FAQ & Help Center: Get Instant Answers | Sketchso Support

Question 1

What are invisible tracing outlines?

Accepted Answer

Invisible tracing outlines are light reference guides that you can print and use as a base for your artwork. They're designed to be so light that they completely disappear under watercolor, oil paint, or pencil, leaving only your original artwork visible.

Question 2

How do I create my first tracing outline?

Accepted Answer

Simply upload your photo to our converter, adjust the outline settings to your preference, and download the result. Print it on quality paper and start creating your artwork over the light outline.

Question 3

What file formats do you support?

Accepted Answer

We support JPG, PNG, and WEBP image formats. For best results, use high-resolution images (at least 1000px on the longest side).

Question 4

Do I need to create an account?

Accepted Answer

No account is required for basic use. However, creating a free account allows you to save your settings, access your conversion history, and get priority processing.

Question 5

My outline is too dark/light. How do I fix this?

Accepted Answer

Use the opacity slider in our converter to adjust the darkness. For watercolor, try 15-25% opacity. For oil painting, use 10-20%. For pencil work, 20-30% usually works best.

Question 6

The outline doesn't disappear under my paint. What's wrong?

Accepted Answer

This usually happens when the outline is too dark or you're using very light paint colors. Try reducing the opacity to 10-15% and ensure you're using enough paint coverage.

Question 7

Why is my download taking so long?

Accepted Answer

Processing time depends on image size and complexity. Large images (over 3000px) may take 30-60 seconds. If it takes longer than 2 minutes, try refreshing and uploading again.

Question 8

The converted image looks pixelated. How do I improve quality?

Accepted Answer

Upload a higher resolution source image. We recommend at least 1500px on the longest side for best results. Also ensure your original image is sharp and well-lit.

Question 9

What paper should I use for printing?

Accepted Answer

Use high-quality paper suitable for your medium. For watercolor, use watercolor paper (200gsm+). For oil, use canvas or oil paper. For pencil, any good drawing paper (160gsm+) works well.

Question 10

Should I use a specific printer setting?

Accepted Answer

Print at actual size (100% scale) with high quality settings. Avoid "fit to page" which can distort proportions. Use the highest DPI your printer supports.

Question 11

Can I resize the outline after printing?

Accepted Answer

It's better to resize digitally before printing to maintain quality. However, you can photocopy at different scales if needed, though this may reduce quality.

Question 12

My printer doesn't print light colors well. What can I do?

Accepted Answer

Try reducing the opacity further (to 5-10%) or switch to a light gray color instead of blue. Some printers handle gray better than light colors.

Question 13

Is Sketchso really free?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Our basic service is completely free with no hidden costs. We may introduce premium features in the future, but the core functionality will always remain free.

Question 14

How do I delete my account?

Accepted Answer

You can delete your account anytime from your profile settings. This will permanently remove all your data and conversion history.

Question 15

Do you store my uploaded images?

Accepted Answer

We temporarily store images for processing but automatically delete them within 24 hours. If you have an account, your conversion history is saved but original images are not stored long-term.

Question 16

Can I use Sketchso for commercial projects?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can use Sketchso-generated outlines for both personal and commercial artwork. The outlines are tools to help create your original art.