How to Provide Quality Images for Your Marketing Materials

As a creative agency, we understand that providing high-quality images is crucial for creating visually appealing marketing materials. We understand that while you’re an expert in your field, marketing may not be your forte. Here are some tips to help you provide good quality images for our graphic designers to use in your marketing:

How to take quality images:

• Use a good camera: If possible, use a DSLR or a smartphone with a high-resolution camera for clear and detailed shots.
• Good lighting: Ensure that your subject is well-lit. Natural light is often the best option, so try to shoot outdoors or near a window during daylight hours.
• Steady shots: Use a tripod or stabilize your hands to avoid blurry images. Sharpness is key for high-quality visuals.
• Composition: Pay attention to the framing and composition of your images. Keep the main subject in focus and remove any distracting elements from the background.

Where to source quality images:

• Take your own photos: If possible, capture unique and authentic images related to your brand or product. This ensures originality and exclusivity.
• Hire a professional photographer: If you have specific requirements or want customized, high-quality images tailored to your brand, consider hiring a professional photographer. Ask us for more details.

Want to learn how a professional brand images can elevate your marketing? Check out our blog addressing if you should hire a professional photographer.

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• Stock photo websites: Utilize reputable stock photo websites such as Shutterstock, Envato Elements, Canva, or Unsplash. These platforms offer a wide range of high-quality images for various purposes.
  
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How to know if an image is high enough quality for your marketing:

• Resolution: Check the image resolution. Higher resolutions, such as 300 DPI (dots per inch) or above, are generally suitable for print materials, while 72 DPI is commonly used for web and digital media. If an image has a low resolution, it may appear pixelated or blurry when enlarged or printed.
• Image size: Ensure that the image dimensions are large enough for your intended use. It’s easier to scale down an image without losing quality than to enlarge a small image.
• Clarity and Sharpness: A high-quality image should have clear and well-defined details. Check if the image is sharp, with distinct edges and crisp details. Blurriness or lack of sharpness can be a sign of a low-quality image or issues with focus during the photography process.
• Noise and Artifacts: Noise refers to the grainy or speckled appearance that can occur in images, especially in low-light conditions or when using high ISO settings. Excessive noise can reduce the overall quality and clarity of the image. Additionally, artifacts like compression artifacts (blocky or distorted areas) or banding (visible color bands) can indicate poor image quality.
• Color Accuracy: Colors should be vibrant, accurate, and well-balanced in a high-quality image. Look for natural skin tones and consistent color representation throughout the image. Overly saturated or dull colors may indicate a lower quality image.
• Composition and Focus: The composition of an image refers to how elements are arranged within the frame. A well-composed image has a clear focal point, balanced elements, and visually pleasing aesthetics. Ensure that the main subject is in focus and properly exposed. Images that are poorly composed or out of focus can be considered lower quality.
• Distortions and Aberrations: Check for any distortions, chromatic aberrations (color fringing), or lens distortions that can impact image quality. These issues may appear as warped lines, color bleeding, or unusual visual artifacts.

How to deliver images to your designer:

• File formats: Save and provide images in commonly used formats such as JPEG or PNG. JPEG is suitable for photographs, while PNG is ideal for images with transparency.
• File organization: If you’re delivering multiple images, organize them into folders and label them clearly. Then, share the link with us. This helps our designers easily identify and access the images they need.
• Delivery method: Depending on the file size, you can share images through email attachments, asana, cloud storage services like Google Drive or Dropbox, or use file transfer services such as WeTransfer.

What NOT to do when delivering images:

• Heavy editing: While minor adjustments are acceptable, it’s best to provide images that are not heavily edited or filtered. Let our designers handle the necessary adjustments for your specific marketing needs.
• Compressing too much: Avoid compressing or resizing images excessively before sending them to us. This can result in loss of image quality. Provide the original or highest resolution available.
• Sending low-resolution images: Avoid providing images that are too small or low in resolution. Low-resolution images may appear pixelated or blurry when used in print or large-scale designs. Always aim to provide images with sufficient resolution for the intended use.
• Using social media screenshots: While social media platforms are a great way to discover inspiring visuals, taking screenshots of images from social media platforms is not an ideal method for delivering quality images. Screenshots often result in lower quality due to compression and reduced resolution. It’s best to source the original images whenever possible.
• Embedding images in Word or PowerPoint documents: Placing images within Word or PowerPoint documents can cause quality loss, especially when the files are resized or compressed during transfer. Instead, deliver the original image files separately to maintain their quality and resolution.
• Sharing images via messaging apps: Avoid sending images through messaging apps like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger, as they often compress images to reduce file size. This compression can significantly reduce the quality of the images. Opt for alternative delivery methods like email or file transfer services that maintain the original image quality.
• Ignoring copyright and licensing: When sourcing images, it’s crucial to respect copyright and licensing restrictions. Using copyrighted images without permission can lead to legal issues. Ensure that you have the necessary rights or licenses to use and share the images you provide to our designers.

Remember, our graphic designers are skilled at working with various image qualities and can make necessary adjustments, but providing clear, well-composed, and quality images will give them a solid foundation to create impactful marketing materials.

Check out some of brands we’ve done photography for here.