Preparing an image involves several separate choices: the area to keep, the export dimensions, transparency and the file format. Make those choices explicitly rather than accepting an unknown compression preset.
Open the Image Editor & Compressor to follow the workflow. Processing runs in your browser; the tool does not upload the input for conversion.
Crop in original pixel coordinates
Drag across the original preview or enter Crop X, Crop Y, width and height. The crop is applied to the source image, not to the smaller on-screen preview. Reset crop restores the source rectangle. Keeping the crop aspect ratio on avoids stretching when you change the export width or height.
Choose between transparency and a solid background
PNG supports transparency. Existing transparent pixels stay transparent unless you choose a solid background. Colour key can remove one flat colour using a tolerance; matching pixels anywhere in the image become transparent. This can also remove a matching foreground colour, so inspect the preview. It is not an automatic subject cut-out for complex photographs.
Understand what each download preserves
PNG uses lossless raster encoding for the prepared pixels. An unedited PNG can preserve those raster pixels, but a canvas export can change metadata or colour profiles. JPG and browser WebP may be lossy even at quality 100. PDF embeds the prepared PNG. Download untouched original returns the exact uploaded file when you need original bytes and metadata.
Use the batch queue deliberately
Choose each image in the selected-image list and adjust its crop or size. Batch export uses saved edits for those images; images you have not edited keep their source dimensions. The current format and quality are used for the batch. Large files and batches have safety limits to prevent the browser running out of memory.
A practical workflow
- Upload and select an image. Choose a PNG, JPG or WebP file; use the queue to switch between images.
- Crop and resize in pixels. Drag the preview or enter exact crop coordinates. Keep aspect ratio on unless stretching is intentional.
- Prepare the selected format. Choose transparency or a solid background, then PNG, JPG, WebP or PDF and run Prepare image.
- Download or export the batch. Inspect the prepared preview. Download it, export the queued ZIP, or retrieve the untouched original.
Try the sample image
Choose Use sample image to load a 900 × 600 PNG. Set Crop X to 80, Crop Y to 90, width to 740 and height to 420 to isolate the navy rectangle. Prepare PNG at 740 × 420 for a crop without resizing, or export at 370 × 210 to practise an aspect-preserving reduction. Compare the prepared preview before downloading.
If the result needs attention
Cropping, resizing and colour removal change pixels. Canvas export may change metadata or colour profiles. JPG does not support transparency; its export uses a solid background.
Read the exact error before changing the input. Keep a copy of the original, reduce the sample when investigating a large file, and use the destination application to verify that the result has the meaning you intended. The tool processes the supplied data; it cannot infer an unstated application schema or project requirement.
For website delivery, check your PageSpeed report after deploying the actual asset. Use the Contrast Checker for text colours and the Favicon Generator for launch icons.
Sources and further reading
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