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An SVG can lose editable layers or text without turning into a bitmap. Figma’s flatten command merges selected objects into one vector layer, and outlining text converts it to vector paths; both changes reduce editability while preserving vector artwork. Rasterization is a separate issue that can affect particular objects or effects. The checks below help identify which change occurred and what to adjust before exporting again.

What “flattening” means in an SVG

The word flattening can describe different outcomes, so start by distinguishing the file’s structure from its image content.

  • Merged vector layers: Separate objects or layers become one vector object. The artwork can still scale cleanly, but its parts are harder to edit independently.
  • Outlined text: Text becomes vector paths. Its appearance is less dependent on the viewer having the same font, but the words and typography can no longer be edited as text.
  • Rasterized artwork: Vector content becomes pixels. This may affect an entire export or only specific objects, depending on the application and artwork.

Figma describes its Flatten command as merging layers into a single vector layer, not as converting artwork to a bitmap. Its guidance on converting text to paths says that the change removes the ability to edit text content and typography.

How to diagnose what changed

  1. Check whether parts remain separately selectable. Open the exported file in a vector editor. If the artwork selects as one object instead of separate components, its structure may have been merged. That alone does not show that it was rasterized.
  2. Check whether the words are still text. Try selecting a text element and changing its content or typography. If it selects as paths or shapes, the text was outlined.
  3. Zoom in substantially. Crisp edges at high magnification are consistent with vector paths or text; visible pixels may indicate rasterized content. This is a practical diagnostic check, not a guarantee: inspect individual objects because only some artwork may have been rasterized.
  4. Compare the export with the source in its intended viewer. A different appearance may be a renderer or compatibility issue rather than flattening. Text on a path may display differently in SVG viewers, and Figma notes that browsers and operating systems can render SVG text differently.

Which export trade-off are you seeing?

Choice or outcome What you retain What you give up or risk
Editable SVG text Text remains selectable and can be more readable as text. Rendering can vary across browser and operating-system text engines, including when fonts differ.
Outlined text Text appearance is represented by vector paths, reducing dependence on font substitution. The content and typography are no longer editable as text.
Separate vector objects Parts remain easier to select and edit independently. The artwork retains more of its object and layer structure.
Merged vector object The result can remain scalable vector artwork. Separate layer-level editing is reduced; a merge is not proof of rasterization.
Rasterized object The exported pixels preserve the rasterized appearance. That content no longer scales as vector paths and can show pixelation at high magnification.

Check the source application’s export controls

Figma: review Outline text

When selected text is included in an SVG export, Figma enables Outline text by default. Disable it if keeping text editable matters more than preserving a font-independent outline. If you leave it enabled, expect the text to become paths rather than editable text.

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Figma also says strokes export as fills and provides Simplify stroke behavior for inside and outside strokes. If a stroke looks different after export, inspect that setting as well as the text option.

Figma: distinguish canvas flattening from raster export

Flattening selected layers on the canvas merges them into one vector layer. Flattened text becomes vector paths, so the lettering loses text editability, but it does not follow that the entire SVG is a bitmap. Figma describes flattening as destructive; keep an editable source before applying it to work you may need to revise.

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Adobe Illustrator: inspect meshes and SVG effects

Adobe identifies mesh objects as content that rasterizes when saved as SVG. It also warns that if other effects follow an SVG effect, the SVG output consists of a raster object. If only part of the design appears pixel-based, check for these objects and effect arrangements rather than assuming the whole document was flattened.

Protect the source and verify the exported file

  1. Keep a native editable copy. Save the working file before flattening layers or converting text to paths. In Figma, the flattening guidance points to undo and version history for recovery, but a separate source copy is the safer safeguard for deliberate destructive changes.
  2. Export a copy for delivery. Apply flattening or text outlining to the export version when needed, not to the only editable source.
  3. Open the SVG in the target browser or application. Compare it with the source at normal size and at high zoom, and inspect text, paths, strokes, meshes, and effects that may have changed.
  4. Choose based on the recipient’s needs. Prefer editable text when downstream editing matters and the target renderer is known; prefer outlines when consistent letter shapes matter more than text editing. Keep separate vector objects when recipients need to edit parts independently.
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Why an SVG can look different without being flattened

SVG is rendered by the application displaying it, so the source editor’s preview is not a guarantee of identical output everywhere. Figma notes that SVG <text> rendering depends on browser and operating-system engines; Adobe notes that text on a path may appear differently in SVG viewers. When the file remains vector but its appearance changes, compare it in the intended viewer before treating the issue as rasterization.

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