Export quality should suit the delivery size and use. The largest file is not automatically the most useful copy to share. A smaller file can look identical on screen while being far easier to upload, email and store.
What to do
Export a representative photograph at the required dimensions using several sensible quality settings. Compare visible detail, artifacts and file size at the actual viewing scale.
Open the exports at the size your audience will see them, such as full screen or a printed page, not zoomed to a pixel level that nobody will ever use.
What to compare
- Smooth gradients: skies and backgrounds can show banding or blocky patches at low quality.
- Fine detail: hair, foliage and fabric may look smeared with heavy compression.
- Edges: sharp lines and text can show halos or noise around them.
- File size: note how much space each setting saves, because savings add up across large sets.
- Dimensions: size matters as much as quality, so avoid exporting larger than needed.
Start from a high setting and step downward until you can just see a difference, then go back one step. That gives you a practical balance for your kind of picture.
A mistake to avoid
Do not repeatedly edit and resave the only JPEG copy. Preserve an original or editing master and export fresh delivery files. Each resave from a JPEG can add compression damage.
A detail worth checking
Use the actual delivery platform for a final sample when possible. A service may recompress or resize uploads, so a local comparison alone may not reveal how the recipient will see the image.
Try this practical check
Use an image containing fine texture and smooth gradients. Choose the smallest tested export that preserves the quality your intended use requires. Repeat the check for any very different type of picture, such as a dark night scene.
Common questions
Is maximum quality always best?
Not always. Beyond a certain point the file grows with no visible gain, so a moderate setting is often enough.
Should I embed a color profile?
Often yes, for correct color on different screens. Check what your recipient or platform expects.
How do I keep text and logos sharp?
Use a higher quality setting and avoid excessive resizing, since compression artifacts show most around hard edges.
Related reading
How to Print Photos at Home: Settings, Paper and Tips
