July 2026  ·  5 min read

How to convert PNG to JPG for Etsy (without ruining your print quality)

You designed something beautiful in Canva, went to upload it to Etsy, and hit a wall. The file is too large. Or maybe Etsy just rejected it entirely. Either way, the fix is the same: convert your PNG to JPG before uploading. Here is exactly how to do it, why it is safe, and how to make sure your print quality stays perfect.

Why Etsy needs JPG instead of PNG

Etsy allows a maximum of 20MB per digital download file. PNG files are lossless, which means they store every single pixel of data. For a high-resolution print file at 300 DPI, that creates enormous files; a typical wall art design can easily be 40 to 80MB as a PNG. Etsy will reject anything over 20MB.

JPG uses compression to shrink the file while keeping the visual quality nearly identical. The same design that was 50MB as a PNG will usually be 4 to 8MB as a high-quality JPG. That is well within Etsy's limit and still perfectly print-ready.

Will my print quality suffer?

No; if you export at high quality (90 to 100 percent). This is the question everyone asks and the answer surprises people. Professional print labs around the world use JPG for all print orders. The difference between a high-quality JPG and a PNG is completely invisible on a printed page.

What actually causes blurry, pixelated prints is low resolution (low DPI), not the file format. A 300 DPI JPG at 100 percent quality prints beautifully every time.

How to convert PNG to JPG in Canva (fastest method)

If your design was made in Canva, you do not need any other software. Canva exports JPG natively.

1. Open your design in Canva and click the Share button in the top right corner
2. Click Download from the dropdown menu
3. Click the File type dropdown and select JPG (it probably says PNG by default)
4. Drag the Quality slider all the way to 100%
5. Click Download; your JPG is ready

That is it. The JPG Canva exports at 100% quality is fully print-ready and will upload to Etsy without any issues in almost all cases.

What if it is still too large after converting to JPG?

If your JPG is still over 20MB, one of two things is happening:

Your design is extremely large. A 24x36 inch print at 300 DPI needs 7,200 x 10,800 pixels. At 100% JPG quality that can still be 20 to 25MB. Try dropping quality to 90%; the print quality stays professional and the file drops significantly.

You have a very complex design. Designs with lots of gradients, textures, or photographic elements compress less efficiently. In this case, drop quality slightly (to 90 or 85%) or use an optimisation tool.

Other ways to convert PNG to JPG

On Windows (Paint)

Open your PNG in Paint. Click File → Save as → JPEG picture. Simple and free, but Paint does not let you set quality; it uses a fixed compression level that may not be ideal for print. For print files, Canva's export or a dedicated tool is better.

On Mac (Preview)

Open your PNG in Preview. Click File → Export. Change Format to JPEG and drag the quality slider to the highest setting. Click Save. Preview gives you quality control, so this is a good free option on Mac.

In Photoshop

File → Export → Export As → select JPG → set quality to 90-100% → Export. Or use File → Save for Web for even more control. Photoshop gives the most precise control but requires a subscription.

Browser-based (Printable Prep)

Drop your file into printableprep.com. It detects if your file is too large, converts it to an optimised JPG automatically, and checks that your DPI is high enough. Everything runs in your browser so your file never leaves your computer.

PNG vs JPG for Etsy: quick comparison

Format	Typical file size (300 DPI, A3)	Etsy compatible?	Print quality
PNG	30 – 80 MB	Usually NO (over 20MB)	Identical to JPG
JPG at 100%	4 – 12 MB	YES	Identical to PNG
JPG at 90%	2 – 6 MB	YES	Professional, no visible difference
JPG at 80%	1 – 3 MB	YES	Acceptable but not ideal for large prints

What about transparency?

JPG does not support transparent backgrounds. If your design has a transparent background (common for clipart, stickers, or overlays), you have two options. Add a white background before exporting as JPG; which is usually what you want for print files anyway. Or keep the PNG for listings where transparency matters, like digital clipart sold for crafters to use in their own projects.

For wall art, printable planners, quote prints, and most other Etsy printables, a white background is correct and JPG is the right format.

Frequently asked questions