Image upscaling with AI can be a powerful tool, but it’s important to know how to do it correctly. Simply increasing an image’s size doesn’t automatically enhance its quality. If you want to improve an image’s resolution effectively, follow these steps to get the best results. Now, where possible and if you can obtain it – you should use the highest quality image you can. Whether that be sourcing a high quality one from a stock website if you don’t have the budget for a professional photographer.
However if you can’t, fear not as there’s a method you can use which’ll help and ensure you get a much higher resolution image. Although I do have to mention, from my experience, the AI does sometimes alter the new version slightly, so always double check your new image against the original with a high level of detail to make sure you don’t have any unwanted results.
1. Understand When to Upscale
Before upscaling an image, determine its intended use. If your image is optimized for the web at 72 PPI (pixels per inch), upscaling will change its dimensions but not necessarily improve its clarity. For example, an image that starts at 498×750 pixels at 72 PPI can be enlarged, but it won’t match the sharpness of a high-resolution image designed for print.
On the other hand, if your original image was created for print at 300 DPI (dots per inch), it’s best to keep it at that resolution, and there’s no need to use AI to downscale. As it’s higher quality than you need already, you can export to your chosen physical size and input 72dpi (or whatever you prefer) as your output.
2. Choose the Right AI Upscaling Tool
To upscale images effectively, use a reliable AI-powered tool like upscaled.media. This platform supports common formats such as PNG and JPEG and allows you to increase the image size without manually stretching it.
Before you begin, make sure to check the platform’s terms of use, especially regarding copyright restrictions. If you’re working with copyrighted material, ensure you have permission to modify and use the image. But you already know that right?
3. Optimize the Upscaling Settings
When using an AI upscaling tool, avoid over-editing. Here’s what you should do:
- Opt for the maximum upscale size, typically 4x, for the best results.
- Avoid the “enhanced quality” feature if it introduces unwanted artifacts or changes in the image’s original appearance from my experience.
- Compare the original and upscaled images to assess improvements and check for inconsistencies.
AI upscaling not only enlarges images but can also contribute to image enhancement by improving details and reducing noise. However, the effectiveness depends on the quality of the original image and the upscaling tool used.
4. Inspect the Image After Upscaling
Once your image has been upscaled, take a real good look at it closely. Look for any loss of detail, distortion, or random parts of the image that may have appeared during the process. If needed, make minor adjustments using an image editor to fine-tune sharpness and contrast.
For print use, it’s crucial to test the image by printing it before finalizing your design. If the quality doesn’t meet your standards, you may need to work with a higher-resolution source image rather than upscaling a low-quality one.
5. Best Practices for Web and Print Use
If you’re working with images for both web and print, keep these best practices in mind:
- For web use, downscaling high-resolution images is always better than upscaling low-resolution images.
- For print, always start with a high-resolution image at 300 DPI whenever possible.
- If upscaling a web image for print, ensure that the final image is inspected closely before sending it to the printer.
Conclusion
AI upscaling is a useful technique, but it has its limitations. While it can enlarge images and improve quality to some extent, it won’t completely restore lost details. The key is to start with the best possible image and use upscaling as an enhancement tool rather than a fix for poor resolution. It should be used as an absolute last resort method. If you want to see a full breakdown of an actual consultation I had with a client about AI upscaling, check out my YouTube video below where I discuss this process in detail. There, I cover practical tips, real-world examples, and additional insights to help you make the most of AI-powered upscaling tools.