Image compression
Smaller images without unreadable text
Treat photographs and text-heavy screenshots differently, then review the export at its intended display size.
Identify the image’s job
A photograph, logo, and screenshot have different details to protect. For a photo, you may care most about faces and texture. For a screenshot, tiny letters and straight lines are often the deciding factor.
Work out the display dimensions before exporting. A small website thumbnail does not need the same pixel dimensions as an image intended for print or detailed inspection.
Choose the format deliberately
Check which formats the destination and compressor accept. Do not rely on a renamed file extension to change its contents. When transparency is required, choose an export that supports it and inspect the background after saving.
A familiar service name does not replace a format check. TinyPNG currently advertises WebP, PNG, and JPEG compression; check its official page for current options and limits. This guide is not a benchmark or a ranking of that service.
- Photographs: inspect smooth gradients and detailed textures.
- Screenshots: zoom in on small text and fine borders.
- Transparent artwork: test against both a light and a dark background.
Compare one controlled export
Avoid changing dimensions, format, and compression strength all at once on your first test. A controlled comparison helps you understand whether the reduction came from resizing or a different encoding.
- Keep an original image and load a working copy.
- Select an available format and quality setting for the destination.
- Export and compare at the final display size.
- Inspect small text, edges, and transparency.
- Save the version that meets the size goal without breaking the image’s purpose.
When to stop compressing
Once the image is small enough and still clear, further reduction can make it less useful. Keep a larger master and a separate distribution copy rather than choosing one file for every situation.
For a screenshot with important instructions, readability takes priority over a few saved kilobytes. If characters become fuzzy, move back to the original and choose a gentler setting.
Do not use a previously compressed export as the source for the next quality comparison.
Sources & notes
Guidance follows the current ClipShrink workflow and the linked technical references. Keep an original file and verify the exported copy before sharing.
Content revised Oct 11, 2026. Product limits and available options can change; check the tool before starting.
Put it into practice
Optimize a sharing image
Work with a copy of your file, review the export, and keep the original.