Considerations when scaling images down for use on web (confused only about image quality - I understand file size concerns)

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Hi

Subject is not simple because image size (width x height) and image file size (in bytes) are 2 different factors.
You can have 1000x1000 image that requires 4MB size while a 2000x2000 would require only 900KB.

Globally, you have to consider where you’ll upload your artwork, because rules won’t be the same everywhere:

  • On KA, maximum image size is 3840x2160 I think, for maximum 3.00MB file size
    – File is resized and recompressed after upload
  • On Mastodon, by default (maybe instance will have different settings) maximum file size for images is 8.00MB (and 40.00MB for videos)
    – Files are resized and recompressed after upload
  • On ArtStation, it will depend if you have premium account or no

Then it’s quite hard to give you an absolute answer for that.

On my side, I upload all my artworks as 2480x2507 JPEG files, and play with JPEG compression quality to not get file higher than 3.00MB

Concerning the best approach:

  • crop
    – no, because if you crop, you modify the artwork composition (or crop only if you want to provide a zoom on a detail, but upload crop + resized artwork)
  • export and change size in an external software
    – Krita allows you to do it, I’m not sure why you need to use another software
  • scale image
    it what I do, but:
    – flatten image before applying new scale
    – test resizing algorithm according to your artwork
    – if possible, keep maximum quality for export
    on my side, I use (my :innocent:) plugin JPEG Export that allows to set quickly and easily all export options with “real-time” (module computation time) result
    image
    image1154×1140 110 KB

Concerning the DPI, sincerely you don’t care about it.
The most import thing is pixel size.
DPI is just an information about how to convert pixel to real world unit (like centimeters or inches)

2000x2000 pixels document at 72DPI is exactly the same the 2000x2000 at 300DPI
The only difference will be the “required” paper size to print artwork for given resolution.

You can :slight_smile:
If you want to provide a document “ready to print” it could be easier for some people to print a PDF rather than trying to find the right settings and software to print an artwork.
After, it will depend where you upload you document

Grum999

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