This is the digital era, after all, where images play a pretty big role in various communication channels, marketing, and social media. If you are just a photographer, just a graphic designer, or just a user of image resizing, it's all about learning how to re-size images with an element of quality preserved. Here, we will show and explain various ways of resizing images without losing their clarity and details. Along the way, some of the most frequently asked questions will be dealt with to further clarify.
Image resolution is indispensable to understand before entering into any specific technique for resizing. Resolution means how much detail an image contains. In other words, resolution is usually measured in terms of pixels per inch. PPI. The better the resolution, the better the image quality. While resizing an image, it's the prime responsibility to keep the resolution intact so that quality loss won't be seen.
Pixel Dimensions: This is the width and height of the picture in pixels. Resizing may change these dimensions and hence quality.
Aspect Ratio: This is the relationship between the picture's width and its height. An image should not be resized without being considered to avoid distortion of the image.
File formats: various formats (JPEG, PNG, GIF) have different resizing processes. But something has to be said about the appropriateness of some formats in terms of resizing.
Proper image resizing can always be achieved with software like Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, and CorelDRAW.
Not having professional software is not a problem. Here are online tools at your service too.
Mobile applications such as Snapseed and Pixlr allow in-move resizing but can include filters that enhance their quality.
If graphics, use vector images. That is (SVG file). Vectors may be scaled infinitely without losing any quality. They are perfect for logos and illustrations.
(Image editing)
When you're resampling an image for printing, please do adjust the DPI to achieve a higher quality. Popular ranges for high quality prints are at about 300 DPI.
(Image editing)
In batch processing, you can resize multiple images simultaneously without wasting time. You can even apply image editing softwares such as Adobe Lightroom where you can resize several images without compromising on output quality.
Use original: Don't modify the original file since you never know when you are going to need it and modification of the original file results in permanent loss of quality.
Check the output format: Save the resized image in a format that maintains high quality. For graphics, PNG format can be used and for prints TIFF format can be used.
Preview before saving: Most tools allow you to preview the saved photo. Be sure to check how the image looks before resizing it in case you have to resize it multiple times, there is a possibility that the image quality will deteriorate.
Resize Limit :Do avoid resizing it multiple times. Every time you resize it may deteriorate the quality of the image.
1. Will the quality of the image decrease if I resize the image?
Yes, with the right tools and techniques, you might resize your images without losing their quality. Remember to keep the aspect ratio, to select the best picture suit software, and save it in a high-quality format.
2. What is the best format for resized images?
Files with text or sharp lines, PNG and TIFF formats would be fine. JPEG would be best suited for photos, but will degrade with compression
3. How can I resize this image to the size required by social media without degrading the quality of the image?
Use the following dimensions for each of the social media applications, maintaining aspect ratio. You can easily do this using any of the tools found at Canva or ResizeTool.com.
4. What is the difference between resampling and resizing?
The best way to respond to this one would be to give you an example: if you resize an image, you are changing the dimensions but, when you do that with your pixel dimensions, you are resampling it. And, resampling gives it a somewhat detenoried quality to the resized picture. When you change an image size, very often you have to resample it to make it clear and uncropped.
5. Wouldn't a mobile phone be reducing the quality of an image because of resizing?
And yes, there are many apps similar to Snapseed and Pixlr that allow you to resize from a mobile device without great loss of quality.
6. What if I make the image too large?
When you extend an image too far from its original size, it becomes pixelated. That is, it looks fuzzy and lacks detail. Generally, enlarge images no more than moderately in size and use the high-quality originals.
7. How do you know whether an image is high in quality?
Please check the resolution and size of the photo. Sometimes, a higher resolution also brings in better quality, such as a minimum of 300 DPI in print and 72 DPI on the web.
8. Are there free image resizing applications?
Well, there are dozens of free online ones, like ResizeTool.com, PicResize, and Canva. Most of them are easy and do not sacrifice quality while resizing the images.
The most basic and essential skill of anyone related to digital media is the ability not to degrade an image when its size is decreased and increased. Knowing the principles behind the resolution of images and using proper tools maintains images in a great shape at whatever size. Be it any tool that you may use-software, online tool, or mobile apps-it is all about maintaining the same image quality and integrity. And if you would practice these tips and methods introduced within this article, your journey to mastering how to size images would be a smooth sea!