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Do you want to learn how to resize an image in Photoshop? Resizing images is a fundamental skill that every photographer and graphic designer should master, primarily because it serves multiple purposes.

From ensuring your images fit specific format requirements online, to preparing high-quality prints, knowing how to properly adjust the size of your photos without sacrificing quality is essential.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to resize an image in Photoshop. We’ll also cover why this is needed, how image resolution relates to file size, what resolution to use for online and print media, and more.

Why Resize Images?

Resizing images can help you optimize your photos for various outputs. 

For instance, large, high-resolution images are perfect for print but can slow down website loading times. And as we know, a slow-loading website will lose traffic and potential new leads for your business.

On the other hand, using images with small file sizes or low resolution when, for example, printing a brochure will make your images look blurry and pixelated. Not a flattering look!

If you’d need to adjust a pixelated image, you can check out our blog post on how to fix pixelated pictures in Photoshop.

In summary, resizing images to fit the requirements of the platform or medium ensures that your work is shown to its best advantage everywhere it appears.

Understanding How Resolution Relates to File Size

source: photoshopessentials.com

Resolution refers to the amount of detail an image holds and is typically measured in pixels per inch (PPI). 

High-resolution images have more pixels and are therefore larger in file size, which is ideal for print where clarity is crucial. 

On the web, however, high resolution can mean unnecessarily long download times, so a balance must be struck between quality and efficiency.

Resolution for Online vs Print Images

What resolution should you use for online and print images?

For online use, 72 PPI is standard, whereas printing requires a much higher resolution to maintain image quality—usually 300 PPI. 

Source: opusdesign.us

Remember, increasing resolution can’t add detail beyond what’s in the original file, so always start with the highest quality image you can. Editing in RAW format will help keep the original file size of your image. 

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How to Resize an Image in Photoshop (5 Simple Steps)

Whether you’re preparing images for the web or print, resizing them in Photoshop is a vital skill that’s easy to pick up. Let’s take a look at how to resize an image in Photoshop. Luckily, this is a super easy process. 

You can either watch the video tutorial or continue reading the text below:

Follow these simple steps:

Step 1. To get started, open your image in Photoshop and go to File. Open to choose your image file.

Step 2. Next, in the top menu, navigate to Image > Image Size to open the Image Size dialog box.

Step 3. In the Image Size dialog box, you can adjust the Width and Height of the image. Make sure the chain link icon is clicked to maintain the aspect ratio of your image. If you don’t want to maintain the aspect ratio, you can just click the link icon to unchain it.

Also, if your image has layers with styles applied to it, select Scale Styles from the gear icon to scale the effects in the resized image. This option is available only if you select the Constrain Proportions option.

Step 4. In the same dialog box, choose a resampling method, for example, Bicubic Sharper for reducing size or Bicubic Smoother for enlarging. Once you’re satisfied with the new size, click OK to apply the changes.

Step 5. To save your image in your resized format, go to File > Save As and click Save.

And that’s it! You’ve now learned how to easily resize an image in Photoshop.

How to Keep the Image’s Original Size File Intact

When resizing images, it’s always good practice to preserve the original file. 

To create a new, smaller file and keep the original size file intact, simply click File › Export As

In addition, the Export function also lets you adjust pixels, scale down by percentage, or export as a JPEG with decreased quality.

With the power to control resolution and dimensions at your fingertips, you’re now well-equipped to ensure your photographs look perfect, no matter where they’re displayed. Remember, practice makes perfect!

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With these techniques, you’ll be able to resize images in Photoshop and optimize them for various outputs. 

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We hope this blog post helped you learn how to resize an image in Photoshop. Before you go, you may want to check out the following resources as well:

Stina Pettersson

Professional Blogger

Stina is an entrepreneur, digital marketer, and professional blogger who's passionate about real estate photo editing, being outdoors with her pup, and sweaty gym sessions. She loves the written word and has been writing for publications like Forbes and Thrive Global. Originally from Sweden, she's called South Florida her home since 2013.

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