Exporting PNG & JPG blurry, can resize in gmail with no blur

Question

I've seen a few questions similar to this, but haven't found an exact answer. Please direct me if you find a thread that can answer this.

I've tried exporting a png and a jpg for a email signature and now matter what I do they are blurry. What is the best way to export a png or jpg for an email signature? (I've recreated the signature in indesign, illustrator and photoshop, it doesn't matter the program or how I export, nothing seems to change)

There is a logo and text in the signature, it needs to be somewhere around 440px wide by 80px high. I cannot upload screen shots of the actual design.

NOW, the weird thing-- so if I export the signature at a higher dpi and resize it in gmail as an embedded image it is perfectly sharp no matter how small I make it. Why can I make the signature smaller in gmail, but not in illustrator, indesign, or photoshop?

I need to be able the export the file at the correct size as either a jpg or png because of the way my company distributes the imagery for signatures, so I can't just resize within gmail. The actual file needs to be the correct size for upload.

Things I've tried...

Anti-aliasing vs. no antialiasing changing dpi changing size of file before exporting and then reducing size save for web and every single preference you can possibly imagine different quality levels art vs. type optimized

I've exported way too many of these. I would really appreciate any hep anyone has to offer. Thanks!

Answer 1

I'm going to give you an example - hope this helps!

Since I don't know what your signature/logo looks like, I just used basic text... and started with an image 6.11in x 1.11in @ 300ppi since it's the same proportion as your 440x80.

I'm not sure which version of Photoshop you're using, but if it's the latest, follow these steps:

1. File > Export > Export As

2. Select either JPG or PNG..whichever you prefer. From my experimenting, they both come out with the same image quality with separate settings..

   • JPG, 440x80, bicubic smoother

     RESULT:

   • PNG, 440x80, preserve details

     RESULT:

...now if you're using an older version of Photoshop, you can do the same thing by going to File > Save for Web... then adjusting there!

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

If you are saving for web from Illustrator, make sure to use "snap to pixel" for type, for objects, use the Transform panel and use "align to pixel grid" and when you save for web, use png24 and select "type optimized). You can reduce the file size using this very useful website: "Tiny png" https://tinypng.com/

Answer 3

I couldn't completely understand the real problem. But may be about the bit settings.

When you upload an image to facebook it goes like broken. It's about the bit of the images.

You can try to save your images as 8 bit.

https://superuser.com/questions/568282/how-to-convert-a-24-bit-jpeg-image-into-8-bit-image

Answer 4

I've had success using Illustrator and enabling snap to pixel by going to View > Snap to Pixel and then going to File > Export > Export As and select PNG:

And then choosing the Small or Medium option in the Signature settings:

And it should look pretty good