An image that looks balanced in one placement may crop awkwardly in another. The safest workflow is to start with the placement, use the current platform specifications, and inspect the exported image rather than assuming that one file fits everywhere.
Start with the destination
List the placements you actually plan to use: for example, a square feed post, a portrait feed creative, a story, or a wide link preview. Check the platform's current specifications for each placement because recommendations and supported formats can change.
Understand aspect ratio
Aspect ratio is the relationship between width and height. A square canvas has equal width and height; a portrait canvas is taller; a landscape canvas is wider. Changing the ratio usually requires cropping, adding margins, or redesigning the layout. Simply stretching an image can distort faces, logos, and product shapes, so avoid it.
Choose a fit method
Fill the canvas
Filling a canvas keeps the output edge-to-edge, but part of the original image may be cropped. Use this when the subject has enough space around it and the crop does not remove essential information.
Fit the whole image
Fitting keeps the full image visible but may leave empty margins. Choose a background color that suits the design, or adjust the creative in a design tool to make the space intentional.
Protect the important details
- Keep logos, faces, calls to action, and important text away from the outer edges.
- Check how text reads on a phone-sized screen.
- Use sufficient contrast between the text and its background.
- Do not rely on a single image to communicate information that should be available as text elsewhere.
Review the export
Open the downloaded file and confirm its dimensions, crop, clarity, and file type. JPEG is often useful for photographs, while PNG can be useful for sharp graphics and transparency. WebP may offer efficient file sizes, but check that your publishing workflow supports it.