The most efficient ways to convert the PSD to JPG

Photo management

by Casey Schmidt  | 

The PSD is one of the best formats for editing extensively. Though this is the case, there are some aspects of the PSD that restrict users. When this becomes an issue, consider converting the PSD to a JPG. This guide will walk you through the important steps and details.

What is a PSD image file?

The PSD image file is the standard format for all Adobe Photoshop files. PSD stands for PhotoShop Document. It contains different image features, including the possibility to hold numerous images. The PSD is highly editable, as Photoshop is one of the most extensive editing programs available.

What is a JPG image file?

The JPG image file is part of the Joint Photographic Experts Group standard file format. It is often confused with JPEG, which is completely acceptable since the two file types are interchangeable. The JPG is one of the most popular file types due to its convenient size and accessibility. The JPG is a lossy compression file type, which indicates a resolution loss whenever it reduces in size.

How to convert the PSD to JPG?

There are a lot of different ways to convert the PSD to JPG, beginning with a manual conversion. This method only requires access to the Adobe Photoshop software program. To convert manually, import the PSD file you wish to change. Under ‘File’, choose ‘Save As’. In the ‘Format’ dropdown section, select ‘JPG’ (note that ‘JPEG’ might be the only option available – this is interchangeable with JPG) then click ‘Save’. You’ll have a JPG file saved on your computer.

If you don’t have access to Photoshop or would like a different way to convert, there are browser-based converters available. These are great for users who have fast internet access but limited hard drive space. You’ll want a competent internet connection as well as enough hard drive space to download a new JPG file, which should be reasonably-sized no matter what. I recommend using Zamzar for this conversion, since it is fast and easy to use.

Why should you make this conversion?

Now that you have the ‘how’ down, let’s make sure you know the ‘why’. If you love keeping your images in the PSD format, it’s likely you’re well-versed in the Photoshop program and tools. This is totally reasonable, however, not everyone is going to share this sentiment. Certainly, this becomes an issue when you share files with other users, such as clients or fellow team members of projects.

So, why does the JPG make so much sense in comparison? The answer comes down to accessibility and practicality. First, it’s a lot easier to send a smaller file to another user. This might seem negligible at first glance but sending thousands of image files at once makes this a huge issue. Also, if you share a single PSD with 50 other users and only half of them have access to Adobe products, you’ve inconvenienced them greatly. Consider the benefits of JPG when these issues arise.

Even though the PSD serves quite a strong purpose, typically to edit freely and extensively, it often fails to perform some of the basic functions users require. If sharing and space requirements become an issue, be sure you have an alternative file type in mind.