How do I export a large PSD as a web JPEG without it looking pixelated?

Question

I have a PSD that is 9900 × 6600 pixels and I need a JPEG version for a website at around 1000 × 750 pixels. When I export it and change it to 72 ppi, the result looks pixelated. What’s the correct way to resize and export it for web use while keeping the image looking sharp?

user149 · Answer

Don't change the resolution of the image. The resolution is irrelevant when you display images in a web page. The browser only cares about the pixel dimensions of the image.

Just resize the image to the pixel dimensions that you want.

If you then want to set the resolution (although the browser doesn't care), use the Image Size settings again, but uncheck the Resample Image option so that it only changes the resolution setting without resizing the actual image.

After resizing you might want to gently use the Unsharp Mask filter. I generally use settings like: Amount: 50, Radius: 0.5, Threshold: 2.

Then you can export as JPEG. If you don't use the sRGB color space already you can use the option to convert to sRGB. No need to embed a color profile.

See also Is there any practical difference between saving at 300ppi or 72ppi?

How do I export a large PSD as a web JPEG without it looking pixelated?

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