Exporting Your Work
After perfecting your design, you need to export it in the right format for your intended use. The Picify Editor supports multiple export formats, each optimized for different purposes. Understanding these options ensures your work looks its best wherever it's displayed.
Access export options through File > Export or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + E.
Export Formats
PNG (Portable Network Graphics)
PNG is a lossless format that preserves every detail of your image. It's the most versatile choice for most design work.
Advantages
- Transparency support: Full alpha channel for smooth edges
- Lossless quality: No compression artifacts
- Perfect for: Graphics, logos, screenshots, images with text
- Web compatible: Supported by all browsers and platforms
Considerations
- Larger file sizes compared to JPEG
- Not ideal for photographs where some quality loss is acceptable
PNG Export Settings
- PNG-8: Limited to 256 colors, smaller files, good for simple graphics
- PNG-24: Full color support, larger files, best quality
- PNG-32: Full color with alpha transparency
- Interlaced: Loads progressively (slightly larger file)
Pro tip: Use PNG for any graphic that needs a transparent background, such as logos on websites or profile pictures on platforms with different background colors.
JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)
JPEG uses lossy compression to create smaller files, making it ideal for photographs and images where some quality loss is acceptable.
Advantages
- Small file sizes: Excellent compression for photos
- Universal support: Works everywhere
- Perfect for: Photographs, social media posts, web images
- Adjustable quality: Balance size vs. quality
Considerations
- No transparency support (transparent areas become white or black)
- Quality degrades with each re-save (generational loss)
- Compression artifacts visible on text and sharp edges
JPEG Quality Settings
| Quality | File Size | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 100% | Largest | Archives, source files (not recommended for web) |
| 80-90% | Large | High-quality prints, professional photography |
| 60-80% | Medium | Web use, social media (recommended for most cases) |
| Below 60% | Small | Thumbnails, previews (visible quality loss) |
Recommendation: For web use, JPEG quality between 70-85% typically offers the best balance. Always preview before finalizing to ensure acceptable quality.
SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics)
SVG is a vector format that scales infinitely without quality loss. It's perfect for logos, icons, and graphics that need to work at any size.
Advantages
- Infinite scalability: Looks crisp at any size
- Small file size: Especially for simple graphics
- Editable: Can be modified in code or vector editors
- Perfect for: Logos, icons, illustrations, web graphics
Considerations
- Not suitable for photographs or complex images
- May display differently across browsers/platforms
- Only exports vector elements (shapes, paths, text)
- Raster elements (photos, filters) are embedded or rasterized
SVG Export Options
- Convert text to outlines: Ensures fonts display correctly everywhere
- Embed raster images: Include any photos as base64 data
- Minify: Remove whitespace for smaller files
- Include metadata: Keep or strip title, description, etc.
PDF (Portable Document Format)
PDF is a universal format for documents and print-ready files. It preserves your design exactly as created and supports both vector and raster elements.
Advantages
- Print-ready: Industry standard for professional printing
- Preserves layout: Looks identical on any device
- Supports everything: Text, images, vectors, fonts
- Perfect for: Print materials, presentations, documentation
Considerations
- Larger file sizes than web formats
- Not ideal for web display (requires PDF viewer)
PDF Export Options
- Preset: Choose from web-optimized, print-ready, or custom
- Compression: Balance file size vs. image quality
- Color mode: RGB for screen, CMYK for print
- Embed fonts: Ensure text displays correctly
- Bleed: Add extra area for print trimming
Quality Settings
Understanding quality settings helps you find the right balance between file size and visual quality.
Resolution (DPI/PPI)
- 72 DPI: Standard for web and screen display
- 150 DPI: Acceptable for large print viewing from distance
- 300 DPI: Standard for professional print
- Higher: Only needed for high-quality fine art printing
Color Profile
- sRGB: Standard for web and most digital displays
- Adobe RGB: Wider color gamut for photo editing and printing
- CMYK: Required for commercial printing
Pro tip: Always convert to sRGB before exporting for web use. Images in other color spaces may appear differently across devices.
Saving Projects (JSON)
While exporting creates final output files, saving your project preserves all layers, text, and editability for future modifications.
Project Save Format
Projects are saved in JSON format (.json) which stores:
- All layers and their properties
- Layer order and grouping
- Text content and styling
- Shape paths and properties
- Applied effects and adjustments
- Canvas dimensions and settings
How to Save
- Click File > Save or press Ctrl/Cmd + S
- Choose a location and filename
- Click Save to download the .json file
Save vs. Export
| Feature | Save (JSON) | Export (PNG/JPEG/etc.) |
|---|---|---|
| Preserves layers | Yes | No (flattened) |
| Editable text | Yes | No (rasterized) |
| Effects adjustable | Yes | No (applied permanently) |
| Shareable/viewable | Only in editor | Universal |
Important: Always save your project file before exporting. This ensures you can make changes later without starting from scratch.
Re-opening Projects
To continue working on a saved project:
- Click File > Open or press Ctrl/Cmd + O
- Select your .json project file
- The project opens with all layers and settings intact
Troubleshooting
- File won't open: Ensure it's a valid .json file from Picify Editor
- Missing fonts: The editor will substitute available fonts; reinstall original fonts if needed
- Large files slow to load: Projects with many layers or high-resolution images may take longer
Best Practices for Different Use Cases
Social Media
- Format: JPEG (photos) or PNG (graphics with transparency)
- Quality: JPEG 80% provides good balance
- Dimensions: Use platform-specific presets
- Color: sRGB for consistent display
Website Graphics
- Format: PNG for logos/icons, JPEG for photos, SVG for scalable graphics
- Quality: Balance file size for fast loading
- Dimensions: Export at exact size needed (avoid browser scaling)
- Consider WebP: Smaller files with good browser support
Print Materials
- Format: PDF or high-quality JPEG/PNG
- Resolution: 300 DPI minimum
- Color: CMYK for commercial printing, RGB for home/office printers
- Bleed: Add 0.125" (3mm) bleed for professional printing
Email Attachments
- Format: JPEG for photos, PNG for graphics
- Quality: JPEG 60-70% to keep files under email size limits
- Dimensions: Resize large images before attaching
Archive/Backup
- Format: Save project file (JSON) plus PNG at maximum quality
- Resolution: Keep original dimensions
- Storage: Keep both editable and final versions
Export Checklist
Before exporting, verify the following:
- Project saved as .json for future editing
- Correct canvas dimensions for intended use
- All text reviewed for spelling and accuracy
- Layers organized and unnecessary layers deleted
- Colors suitable for output (RGB vs. CMYK)
- Resolution appropriate for intended use
- Format selected based on content type and destination
- Quality setting balanced for size and visual needs