Best 5 ways of image upscaling without losing quality

A high-quality image is the key to grabbing the attention of your audience toward your content. Image upscaling has always been a popular method to achieve this goal. As a graphic designer, you may also relate that image upscaling often results in pixelation and loss of quality.

The good news is that you can upscale an image without losing quality using proper techniques and tools. Today, we’ll try to guide you through different methods to enlarge a photo while maintaining its clarity

Why Do Images Lose Quality During Image Upscaling?

When you increase the size of an image, the number of pixels remains the same, but they get stretched. This results in blurry or pixelated images. The loss of quality happens because most traditional image editing software uses basic interpolation methods like a neighbor or bilinear interpolation, which don’t add new details but simply stretch existing pixels.

Best Methods for Image Upscaling Without Losing Quality

1. Using AI-Powered Image Upscaling Tools

Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) enable the enlargement of images while maintaining detail. AI-based tools utilize deep learning algorithms to predict and generate high-quality pixels when increasing the size of images.

Popular AI Image Upscalers:

• Pixi AI: Uses AI to increase resolution while maintaining details.
• Gigapixel AI: A powerful AI-powered tool for upscaling images.
• Waifu2x: Works well for anime-style and digital illustrations.
• Deep Image AI: Ideal for professional and personal use.

2. Using Photoshop’s Preserve Details 2.0

Adobe Photoshop offers an advanced feature called Preserve Details 2.0 that helps enlarge an image with minimal quality loss. Here is the step-by-step process:

1. Open your image in Photoshop.
2. Click on Image > Image Size.
3. Check the Resample option and select Preserve Details 2.0.
4. Adjust the Reduce Noise slider to refine details.
5. Click OK to upscale your image.

3. Using Online Image Enlarger Tools

For those who don’t have access to Photoshop, online tools offer an easy way to enlarge images. Here, we’ll introduce you to a few tools along with their unique features:

• Image Upscaler: A free tool using AI to enhance images.
• BigJPG: This is specifically designed to enlarge images without introducing artifacts.
• Fotor: A multi-functional online image editor with an upscale feature.

4. Using Vector Graphics for Infinite Scalability

If you work with logos or illustrations, using vector graphics instead of raster images can help maintain quality at any size. Here are their special features:

• Adobe Illustrator: Convert raster images to vectors using the Image Trace tool.
• Inkscape: A free alternative to Illustrator that allows SVG format editing.
• CorelDRAW: A powerful tool for creating and scaling vector graphics.

5. Using Plugins for Image Upscaling

Some software plugins enhance image scaling by adding details and sharpening the image. Let’s check out the popular plugins for Photoshop:

• ON1 Resize AI: Increases image size with AI-powered enhancements.
• Topaz Labs Gigapixel AI: One of the best AI-based enlargement tools.
• Blow Up by Exposure Software: Maintains smooth and sharp edges when enlarging images.

Tips for Image Upscaling

1. Start with the Highest Resolution Possible: A high-quality source image will produce better results when upscaled.
2. Use AI Upscalers for Better Results: AI tools generate missing details rather than just stretching pixels.
3. Avoid Excessive Enlargement: While tools can help, extreme enlargement (e.g., 10x) may still result in a noticeable loss of detail.
4. Apply Sharpening After Upscaling: This helps enhance edges and improve clarity.
5. Use the Right File Format: PNG and TIFF formats retain better quality than JPEG when editing.
6. Reduce Noise and Artifacts: After enlarging, use noise reduction tools to smooth out grainy areas.

FAQ

1. What is the best software to enlarge a photo without losing quality?

AI-based tools like Pixi AI, Gigapixel AI, Let’s Enhance, and Photoshop’s Preserve Details 2.0 are among the best options for enlarging images without significant quality loss.

2. Can I make an image larger without losing quality for free?

Yes, free online tools like Waifu2x, Image Upscaler, and BigJPG allow users to upscale images without losing quality at no cost.

3. Does increasing DPI help in image upscaling?

While DPI (dots per inch) affects print quality, it does not directly enhance image resolution. Merely increasing DPI will not improve digital images unless new details are generated using AI tools.

4. How much can I enlarge an image without losing quality?

With AI-based upscaling, images can often be enlarged up to 2x to 4x without noticeable quality loss. However, extreme enlargement may result in some loss of detail.

5. Is Photoshop the best option for Image upscaling?

Photoshop’s Preserve Details 2.0 works well, but AI-powered tools like Gigapixel AI often produce superior results.

6. Which file format is best for upscaling?

PNG and TIFF are better for upscaling because they preserve more details than JPEG, which is a lossy format.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You now know all the possible methods for image upscaling while preserving quality, utilizing AI-based tools, Photoshop techniques, and vector graphics. AI-driven solutions like Gigapixel AI, Photoshop’s Preserve Details 2.0, and various other upscalers deliver excellent results for enlarging images while maintaining sharpness and clarity.

With the techniques and tools outlined in this guide, you can successfully enlarge images without compromising their quality. Stay tuned for more updates!