When converting PNG to JPG, it’s easy to make mistakes that affect image quality. Learn the common pitfalls to avoid, such as choosing the wrong quality setting or ignoring image resolution, to ensure your images retain their clarity and sharpness.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Converting PNG to JPG

Converting PNG images to JPG can help reduce file size and optimize your website’s performance. However, it’s important to avoid common mistakes during the conversion process that can degrade image quality. In this guide, we’ll discuss the most frequent errors people make when converting PNG to JPG and how to avoid them, so your images look their best.

1. Choosing Too Low of a Quality Setting

One of the most common mistakes when converting PNG to JPG is selecting too low of a quality setting during the conversion process.

• Why It’s a Problem: JPG uses lossy compression, meaning some image data is lost in the process. If you select a low-quality setting, the resulting JPG can appear pixelated, blurry, or with visible compression artifacts.
• How to Avoid It: When converting, choose a moderate to high-quality setting (usually around 70-80%) to balance file size and image quality. If the image looks too pixelated or blurry after conversion, increase the quality setting.

Quick Tip: Always preview your image after conversion to ensure it meets your standards before saving.

2. Ignoring Image Resolution

Another mistake users often make is ignoring the image’s resolution when converting from PNG to JPG. The resolution of your image plays a major role in its clarity and sharpness.

• Why It’s a Problem: Lowering the resolution or neglecting to check the resolution before converting can lead to poor-quality images that are too small or blurry, especially when viewed on high-resolution displays.
• How to Avoid It: Before converting, check the image resolution. Make sure it’s set to the desired size (300 DPI for print or 72 DPI for web use). If necessary, adjust the resolution before converting to ensure optimal quality.

Quick Tip: If your image is intended for printing, always maintain a high resolution to prevent pixelation.

3. Not Checking Image Dimensions Before Converting

Many people forget to consider the dimensions (width and height) of their images before converting them from PNG to JPG.

• Why It’s a Problem: If the image dimensions are too large or too small, resizing it during or after the conversion can result in loss of quality, making it appear distorted or stretched.
• How to Avoid It: Always check the image’s dimensions before converting and adjust them if necessary. If the image is too large for web use, resizing it to a smaller dimension before converting to JPG can help improve loading times without compromising too much quality.

Quick Tip: For website images, aim for dimensions that match the display area to avoid unnecessary resizing.

4. Failing to Optimize the JPG After Conversion

Once you've converted your PNG to JPG, the image might still be large, affecting load times on websites.

• Why It’s a Problem: Even though JPG reduces file size, unoptimized JPG files can still be too large, slowing down your website’s performance or using up valuable storage space.
• How to Avoid It: Use image optimization tools to further compress your JPG without compromising image quality. This will reduce file size further and improve load times.

Quick Tip: Tools like TinyJPG or ImageOptim can help reduce file size after conversion without sacrificing quality.

5. Not Considering the Image’s Purpose

Not all images require the same level of quality, and failing to consider the image’s intended use can lead to unnecessary file sizes or reduced quality.

• Why It’s a Problem: For example, using a high-quality JPG for a simple icon or logo that doesn’t need the detail will result in unnecessarily large files, while using a low-quality JPG for detailed artwork or a photo might lead to a loss of important detail.
• How to Avoid It: Before converting, consider the intended use of the image. For web images, use a lower quality setting to reduce file size. For images that need fine detail (like product images or photographs), opt for a higher quality setting.

Quick Tip: Use higher quality for images where clarity is important and lower quality for simple visuals like icons or backgrounds.

6. Converting Unnecessary Images

It’s easy to fall into the habit of converting every image to JPG for file size reduction, but not all images need to be converted.

• Why It’s a Problem: For images that require transparency, such as logos, icons, or watermarks, converting to JPG will eliminate that transparency, which could impact the image’s usefulness.
• How to Avoid It: Only convert images that don’t require transparency. Keep PNG for logos or images that need to maintain a transparent background.

Quick Tip: If transparency is needed, stick with PNG. JPG is not suitable for transparent images.

Conclusion: Avoid These Mistakes for Better JPG Conversion Results

Converting PNG to JPG is a simple way to reduce file size and optimize images for your website. However, to maintain the highest quality and avoid potential issues, be mindful of the common mistakes discussed here. By choosing the right quality setting, checking image resolution and dimensions, and optimizing after conversion, you can ensure that your images look great without sacrificing performance.

Quick Tips for a Successful Conversion:

• Always check the resolution and dimensions of your image.
• Choose a moderate quality setting for a balance of size and quality.
• Optimize your JPG after conversion to improve load times.
• Keep PNG for images that require transparency.

Avoid these mistakes, and you’ll get the best results when converting your PNG images to JPG.