Photoshop Export Cheat Sheet:

Photoshop Export Cheat Sheet: Best Practices for Web & Print

Effectively exporting images from Photoshop is a crucial step in ensuring exceptional visual quality while also optimizing file sizes for various purposes. This comprehensive guide highlights the most efficient export settings tailored for both web and print, enabling designers to produce polished, professional-grade results with minimal effort and maximum precision. By following these best practices, creatives can achieve a seamless balance between quality and performance, ensuring their work meets the demands of any platform or medium.

Best Practices for Exporting for Web

1. Use 'Save for Web' or 'Export As' for Optimal Compression

Shortcut: File > Export > Save for Web (Legacy) OR File > Export > Export As
Use JPEG, PNG, GIF, or WebP depending on the image type.

2. Choose the Right File Format

JPEG – Best for photos with rich colors and gradients.

PNG-24 – Ideal for images requiring transparency.

GIF – Best for animations

WebP – Modern format offering better compression and quality.

3. Optimize Image Resolution and Size

Set width and height according to website requirements.

For retina displays, export images at 2x or 3x the standard resolution.

Reduce file size using Photoshop’s built-in compression or tools like TinyPNG.

4. Color Profile for Web

Convert images to sRGB for accurate color representation online.

Edit > Convert to Profile > sRGB IEC61966-2.1

5. Reduce File Size Without Losing Quality

Use quality settings between 60-80% for JPEG.

For PNG, enable “Smaller File” in the export settings.

Compress images using Photoshop’s built-in tools or external tools like TinyPNG.

6. Export SVG for Scalable Graphics

Best for icons and vector graphics.

File > Export > Export As > SVG with 'Use Artboards' enabled.

Best Practices for Exporting for Print

1. Use High-Resolution Settings

Set resolution to 300 DPI (Image > Image Size > Resolution: 300 PPI).

Use CMYK color mode for print accuracy (Edit > Convert to Profile > CMYK).

2. Choose the Right File Format

PDF – Best for printing brochures, posters, and documents.

TIFF – High-quality lossless format for professional printing.

EPS – Ideal for vector-based graphics like logos.

JPEG (High-Quality) – Suitable for photo prints.

3. Embed Fonts and Ensure Print Bleed

If exporting to PDF, ensure that fonts are embedded.

Add a bleed of 0.125 inches to designs that reach the edges.

4. Use Correct Color Profiles

Convert to CMYK for commercial printing.

Check with your printer for specific ICC color profiles.

5. Save as a Press-Ready PDF

Use File > Save As > PDF.

Select High-Quality Print settings.

Enable “Preserve Photoshop Editing Capabilities” if further editing is needed.

Common Export Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Exporting web images in CMYK – Use sRGB instead.
❌ Using PNG instead of JPEG for photos – JPEG is more efficient.
❌ Forgetting to resize images for web – Large images slow down websites.
❌ Not checking print resolution – Always use 300 DPI for print.

Conclusion

By following these best practices, you can ensure that your exports from Photoshop are optimized for web performance or high-quality printing. Choosing the right file format, compression settings, and color profile makes a huge difference in the final output. Happy designing

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