Export Settings for Perfect Image Outputs

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you'll be able to:

1. Choose the right format between JPG, PNG, and PSD for different purposes
2. Optimise images for web, print, and social media platforms
3. Use export presets to speed up your workflow
4. Manage file sizes without compromising quality

Introduction

Getting your export settings right can make or break your finished images. You might have spent hours perfecting your edit, but if you export it wrong, it'll look terrible when shared or printed. This chapter covers the essential export settings in Photoshop, so your images look brilliant wherever they end up.

We'll cover the main file formats, platform-specific requirements, and how to set up presets that'll save you time on future projects.

Lessons

Understanding File Formats

Each file format serves a different purpose, and picking the wrong one can cause headaches later.

JPG works best for photographs with lots of colours. It compresses your image to keep file sizes small, but this means losing some detail. The more you compress, the more quality you lose.

PNG is your go-to for images that need transparent backgrounds, like logos or graphics. It keeps all the quality but creates larger files than JPG.

PSD is Photoshop's native format. It saves everything – your layers, adjustments, and effects. Always keep a PSD version of important projects.

Step 1: Open your completed project in Photoshop.

Step 2: Go to File > Save As to see all available format options.

Step 3: Choose your format based on how you'll use the image.

Optimising for Different Platforms

Different platforms have different needs. Get this wrong and your images might look blurry, pixelated, or simply won't upload properly.

For web use: Lower resolution images (72-96 DPI) work fine. JPG is usually best unless you need transparency.

For print: You need higher resolution (300 DPI minimum) with less compression to avoid pixelation.

For social media: Each platform has preferred dimensions. Instagram posts work best at 1080×1080 pixels, while Facebook covers need 820×312 pixels.

Step 1: Check the platform's recommended image dimensions and file size limits.

Step 2: Go to Image > Image Size to adjust your dimensions and resolution.

Step 3: Use File > Export > Export As to fine-tune quality settings.

Setting Up Export Presets

Export presets are pre-configured settings you can reuse. Set them up once, and you'll save time on every future project.

Step 1: Go to File > Export > Export As.

Step 2: Adjust your settings for a specific use case (like Instagram posts or print photos).

Step 3: Click the preset menu and choose 'Save Settings' to name and save your preset.

Step 4: Next time you export, select your saved preset from the dropdown menu.

Practice

Take an image you've edited and export it in three different ways:

1. As a web-optimised JPG (72 DPI, medium quality)
2. As a print-ready file (300 DPI, high quality)
3. As a PNG with transparency (if your image has a transparent background)

Compare the file sizes and note how the quality differs between each version.

FAQs

Which format keeps the best quality?
PSD maintains perfect quality because it doesn't compress your image. For sharing, PNG keeps better quality than JPG but creates larger files.

How do I make smaller file sizes without losing too much quality?
Use the 'Save for Web (Legacy)' feature and experiment with the quality slider. Usually, 60-80% quality gives good results for web use.

Can I use the same export settings for Photoshop and Illustrator?
The basic principles are the same, but the interface differs slightly. Both programs let you save custom presets though.

Why do my images look different after uploading to social media?
Social platforms often compress images further. Export at slightly higher quality than you think you need to compensate.

Jargon Buster

DPI (Dots Per Inch): How many dots of ink fit in one inch of your printed image. Higher DPI means sharper prints.

Compression: Reducing file size by removing image data. More compression means smaller files but lower quality.

Export Presets: Saved combinations of export settings you can reuse for similar projects.

Lossless/Lossy: Lossless formats (like PNG) keep all image data. Lossy formats (like JPG) throw away some data to make smaller files.

Wrap-up

You now know how to choose the right format and settings for any situation. The key is matching your export settings to where your image will be used. Web images can be smaller and more compressed, while print images need higher resolution and less compression.

Set up a few export presets for your most common needs, and you'll speed up your workflow significantly. Remember to always keep a master PSD file of important projects.

Next, we'll look at colour management and how to ensure your images look consistent across different devices and platforms.

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