Export settings for print, web and social

Choose the destination before you choose the export. A social post, a web hero and a print file may show the same design, but they need different dimensions and different tolerance for compression.

For web and social, start from the platform's target dimensions and export an RGB image. PNG is useful when you need crisp edges or transparency; JPG is usually smaller for photographic backgrounds. Check the compressed file at the actual display size, because fine overlay detail can disappear after upload.

For print, work at the physical size the printer requests and keep a high-resolution master until the final hand-off. Ask whether the printer wants RGB, CMYK or a supplied profile before converting. If a file is going to be enlarged, do that before the last sharpening pass.

Use the Letterlays Studio format presets as a starting point, then inspect the result at 100%. Look for clipped edges, unexpected colour shifts, thin strokes that vanish and overlays that became too bright. Export a small proof and a final master separately so you always have a clean source.

The safest workflow is simple: name the destination, choose the matching preset, export, inspect at final size and keep the source editable. A beautiful design can still fail if the file is technically wrong for the place it has to live.