Resize or compress?
Prepare images for upload.
A portal asks for a small attachment. Your photo is too large. Changing the filename will not fix it: pixel dimensions, file size, and file format are different requirements. This workflow helps you choose the right operation and check the actual result.
Start with the requirement, not the slider
Read the upload instructions and write down three things: accepted formats, maximum dimensions, and maximum file size. A requirement such as “JPG, up to 1200 pixels wide, under 500 KB” gives you three separate checks. These numbers are an example, not a recommended limit for every site.
| Requirement | Use | Check afterward |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum width or height | Image Resizer | Pixel dimensions and aspect ratio |
| Maximum KB or MB | Image Compressor | Actual output size and readable details |
| One document from several scans | Image to PDF | Page order, orientation, and total PDF size |
1. Resize only if dimensions need changing
A 4000 × 3000 image scaled to 1200 pixels wide becomes 1200 × 900 when the original ratio is preserved. It has fewer pixels, which can reduce the space needed to store it. Resizing is not cropping: keep the ratio lock on when you want the full image without stretching.
Use Aspect Ratio Calculator if you need to work out a matching height first. Save a new copy and keep the original. Inspect small print after resizing; the correct dimensions are not useful if the content becomes unreadable.
2. Choose a format that preserves what matters
In WorkIQ's compressor, JPEG and WebP expose a quality setting. PNG is lossless encoding of the canvas result; its output ignores that quality control and may be larger than your original. PNG output does not preserve the original file's metadata, animation, or byte-for-byte contents.
For a photograph, start with JPEG around the tool's default 75% and compare the preview. This is a starting point, not a promise of a particular saving. For a transparent logo, choose WebP or PNG when your destination accepts it. JPEG has no transparency; this tool places transparent areas on white for JPEG output.
Check edges, small text, and flat color areas for visible damage. If the compressed result is larger, keep the original or try a different format. Do not download just because the button says “compressed.” The tool displays both sizes so you can decide.
3. Build a PDF only when a document is required
Open Image to PDF, select your prepared images, and check page order and orientation before creating the file. A PDF combines pages; it does not guarantee a smaller attachment. Check its final size against the portal limit and open it once before sending.
Common problems
The file is still too large. Reduce dimensions if allowed, then try a lower JPEG or WebP quality. WorkIQ's compressor does not automatically target a specific KB limit. Compare the actual output after each adjustment.
The image looks soft. Return to the original and try less resizing or higher quality. Repeatedly compressing a lossy file can compound damage.
The preview fails. Try a static JPG, PNG, or WebP that your browser can display. Large images can exceed your device's memory. This workflow is not intended to preserve animation or specialized camera formats.
Before you upload
Confirm extension, dimensions, file size, orientation, and readability. Keep the original somewhere safe. These WorkIQ image tools process your chosen file locally, while the portal you eventually upload to has its own data handling rules.
Technical references: Canvas image export and browser image formats. This guide describes WorkIQ's current controls and their limitations.