🎨 SVGs can do more than you think – animated graphics in InDesign & Print
The article “SVG Art” sparked a strong response. Clearly, it struck a chord – the topic is technically fascinating, visually inspiring, and surprisingly underexplored in practical use. That’s why we’re revisiting it in “🎨 SVGs Can Do More Than You Think.”
SVG files have been around for decades – in fact, since 1999. That makes the format nearly as old as 3f8h.net / electronic publishing itself. Originally designed for the web, SVGs have evolved far beyond basic vector graphics: they can be animated directly within the file – no JavaScript or external tools needed.
Whether via
A look at unkey.dev or platforms like svgator.com and lottiefiles.com shows just how creative and diverse animated SVGs can be.
But what happens when these files are used not in browsers, but in print design?
How does Adobe InDesign handle animated SVGs? What remains when the file is printed – a single frame? A static image? Or could new technologies bring motion to the printed page?
“Animated SVG in InDesign – when do we print animated?” is not just a rhetorical question. In fact, the print world already has methods of simulating movement – for example, through lenticular printing, which creates animation effects through shifting perspectives.
This raises a bigger question: Is SVG still a future-proof format for publishing? Or will it be replaced by Lottie, HTML Canvas, or other modern web-based formats?
We believe SVG is very much alive – and becoming more relevant beyond the screen. Just not, however, in InDesign or traditional print workflows.
Have you worked with animated SVGs in Adobe InDesign or for print applications? Get in touch – we’d love to hear your experience.