7 QUICK WAYS TO REDUCE YOUR PHOTOSHOP FILE SIZE

R E D U C I N G P R O C E S S

Saving megabytes wherever possible helps you save time on the upload, and the person on the other end save time on the download, so it's a critical step when

sharing PSD files with a client.

HERE ARE THE BEST TRICKS TO QUICKLY REDUCE YOUR PHOTOSHOP FILE SIZES

1PUT A SOLID COLOR LAYER

DOC: 136

46% FILE SIZE REDUCTION!

DOC: 74 MBDOC: 136 MB

Photoshop's high quality file previews are weighty and large, so simplifying them as much

as possible can save you tons of space.

Normal.psd WhiteLayer.psd

Also, instead of adding a layer on top, you could simply hide all the layers.

2ONLY KEEP THE ESSENTIAL

Hidden layers used to trace a design? - Delete them. A layer for your color palette? - Delete it. Notes and measurements? - Delete them.

Does the recipient of the file need to see this?

?

Ask yourself

If the answer is no, then delete it.

3MERGE / FLATTEN LAYERS

100 layers > 10 layers

BUT BE CAREFUL!

Flattening layers can be destructive and greatly reduces your ability to make

changes to your file.

4APPLY LAYERS MASKS

Background

Disable Layer Mask

Delete Layer MaskApply Layer Mask

Add Mask To SelectionSubstract Mask From SelectionIntersect Mask With Selection

Refine Mask…

Mask Options…

Apply Layer Mask

Essentially, these are extra layers that can hide in plain sight. Right-click on a mask, then apply it and

you'll reduce your file size.

5CROP OVERSIZED LAYERS

Image Size…Canvas Size…

Image RotationCropTrim…Refine Mask…

+ Crop

Image

+

Make sure to delete anything in the document that is off the canvas.

Of course, this only saves space if you have overhang in your document. As a quick fix,

hit Command-A to select all, then go to Image>Crop.

6RASTERIZE SMART

Smart ObjectsVideo LayersRestarizeNew Layer Based SliceGroup LayersUngroup LayersHide Layers

ShapeFill ContentVector MaskSmart Object

Group LayersUngroup Layers

Type

Video3DLayer Styke

Image Layer TextEdit

Rasterize

Smart Object

When you rasterize a smart object, you're taking away its intelligence, which saves space.

All the code that makes up the different functions of the object is now deleted from the file, making it smaller.

7USE ADJUSTMENT LAYERS

New Fill LayerNew Adjustment LayerLayer Content Options…

Layer MaskVector MaskCreate Vector MaskSmart Objects

Levels…Curves…Exposure…Vibrance…

Photo FilterChannel Mixer

Brightness/Contrast…

Hue/Saturation…Color Balance…Black & White…

Image Layer TextEdit

New Adjustment Layer

Curves…

Normally, you just duplicate a layer and then use blend the screen. Instead, you should

create an adjustment layer and change the blend mode to screen.

This presentation is brought to you by

facebook.com/crtvmrkt twitter.com/creativemarket