Plan for the surface, not just the platform
A single platform can show a square feed post, a tall story and a wide profile banner. Choose the exact placement first. DigitalDock BD provides common working canvases, but they are not universal upload rules. Interfaces and supported ratios change, and a platform may show one image in multiple crops. Review the final upload where it will appear.
Keep a flexible master image
A high-resolution source with space around the subject is easier to adapt. A tight portrait may work in a story but lose important features in a wide banner. Save the original and make each export from it. For text-heavy designs, return to the design file when changing shape rather than shrinking all the text into a smaller frame.
Square and portrait exports
A 1080 × 1080 square is a straightforward starting point for a consistent carousel. Taller canvases provide more vertical room but need a new composition. Use the focus controls to keep the subject visible. A 1080 × 1920 story image should leave space for interface elements. Do not place essential text flush against an edge.
Wide banners need more restraint
A 1584 × 396 LinkedIn personal-profile banner or 1500 × 500 X header is much shallower than a standard photo. Keep text brief and allow space around profile-photo overlaps. YouTube’s 2560 × 1440 banner can be displayed through different device crops, so treat outer areas as background. Use the platform’s previews rather than relying on the full exported rectangle.
Check three things after upload
Check the image on a phone, inspect any profile or grid crop, and verify that small lettering remains legible after the platform recompresses it. A local preview cannot simulate every server encoder or interface. If an uploaded image looks soft, check the original resolution and avoid repeated saves before simply increasing the quality setting.
Platform references: YouTube channel branding, LinkedIn cover images, X profile customization.
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