Banner challenged

Clixphoto

I'm still trying to find out why my banner logo is blurry or pixilated. I would like to make a few different ones that I can change every few days. How do I make them nice and crisp. The one I have is 250x150pixels at 72 dpi. Anything I do at this size seems pixelated. Any suggestions.

jfriend

The issue is probably with how you made the image 250x150. Did you create the image at that size? Or did you create it larger and then resize it down to 250x150? If you created it larger and then resized it down, please describe which program you were using to resize it and the exact steps you used. You also need to make sure you didn't unintentionally limit the number of colors to a small number. Done right, it certainly does not need to be pixelated.

FYI, the dpi is meaningless to a browser. All that matters is how many pixels you have.

Clixphoto

jfriend wrote:

The issue is probably with how you made the image 250x150. Did you create the image at that size? Or did you create it larger and then resize it down to 250x150? If you created it larger and then resized it down, please describe which program you were using to resize it and the exact steps you used. You also need to make sure you didn't unintentionally limit the number of colors to a small number. Done right, it certainly does not need to be pixelated.

FYI, the dpi is meaningless to a browser. All that matters is how many pixels you have.

Thanks for the response.

I created it at that size in PS Elements. What size should I start with and what steps should I take to resize it?

jfriend

Clixphoto wrote:

Thanks for the response.

I created it at that size in PS Elements. What size should I start with and what steps should I take to resize it?

Unless you're trying to hand edit fine detail, I'd suggest just starting with the image at the final size you want it. That will give the best results for text.

RogersDA

Repeating what John said - what settings did you use to create the png file? It appears to me that you might have saved it as an 8-bit png instead of a preferred 24-bit png. 8-bit png files cannot support variable transparency - a pixel in the image is either "on" (showing its color) or off (transparent). 24-bit png files do support variable transparency - individual pixels can be semi-opaque.

Perhaps you can start with with the original image and save it as a 24-bit png file?

Clixphoto

jfriend wrote:

Unless you're trying to hand edit fine detail, I'd suggest just starting with the image at the final size you want it. That will give the best results for text.

If I create it the same size as the one I currently have, how do I correct the blurry pixelated look? I also would like to have a few images with my logo so it's not text only. The current was just temporary until I figured out what size to make a good sharp image.

jfriend

Clixphoto wrote:

If I create it the same size as the one I currently have, how do I correct the blurry pixelated look?

If you use the right graphic tools with the right settings in Elements, you shouldn't get a pixelated look.

Clixphoto

RogersDA wrote:

Repeating what John said - what settings did you use to create the png file? It appears to me that you might have saved it as an 8-bit png instead of a preferred 24-bit png. 8-bit png files cannot support variable transparency - a pixel in the image is either "on" (showing its color) or off (transparent). 24-bit png files do support variable transparency - individual pixels can be semi-opaque.

Perhaps you can start with with the original image and save it as a 24-bit png file?

The only option I remember getting when saving as a png was "interlaced" or "not interlaced".

Clixphoto

jfriend wrote:

If you use the right graphic tools with the right settings in Elements, you shouldn't get a pixelated look.

So if it's pixilated at 250x150, I have a wrong setting in Elements?

jfriend

Clixphoto wrote:

So if it's pixilated at 250x150, I have a wrong setting in Elements?

You either have a wrong setting or are using the wrong tools to create the graphic. You should respond to RogersDA question above about 24-bit color. That sounds to me like it could be the issue.

Clixphoto

jfriend wrote:

You either have a wrong setting or are using the wrong tools to create the graphic. You should respond to RogersDA question above about 24-bit color. That sounds to me like it could be the issue.

When I create a 250x150 image and type a 48 point letter, it's extremely pixelated. I'm confused.

jfriend

Clixphoto wrote:

When I create a 250x150 image and type a 48 point letter, it's extremely pixelated. I'm confused.

When you create a new image (File/New), what settings are you giving it?

Here's a 250x150 PNG I just made.

Clixphoto

Just threw something together quickly and applied it. I discovered the "save for web" option (which I've never used before) and that gave me the 24 bit png option. That seemed to have helped.

Thank you for all your help.

jfriend

Clixphoto wrote:

Just threw something together quickly and applied it. I discovered the "save for web" option (which I've never used before) and that gave me the 24 bit png option. That seemed to have helped.

Thank you for all your help.

Looks like you got it now.

RogersDA

Clixphoto wrote:

Just threw something together quickly and applied it. I discovered the "save for web" option (which I've never used before) and that gave me the 24 bit png option. That seemed to have helped.

Thank you for all your help.

Having never used PS Elements before I was unsure if that was even an option (it is in Photoshop). Looks like it works!