How do I make a transparent product cutout PNG lighter and keep it transparent?
Choose WebP as the output format. WebP keeps transparent areas and usually produces a far lighter file than the PNG. JPEG has no transparency at all, so the tool fills the background with a color you set and warns you about it, which is fine only if the image will always sit on that exact color.
What happens to transparency in each format
- PNG keeps transparency and every detail with no loss, which is why cutout product images saved as PNG are heavy.
- WebP compresses the image, giving up some detail, but keeps the transparency channel, so the cutout stays a cutout.
- JPEG has no transparency whatsoever. When you choose it, the tool flattens the image onto a background color you pick, white by default.
When you add an image with transparency and choose JPEG, the Image compressor shows a warning naming the file and saying the transparent areas will be filled, and a 'Background for transparent areas' color field appears. That field disappears when you switch to WebP, because it is not needed.
The numbers side by side
A transparent PNG of 2172×724 weighing 456 KB, compressed in Chrome:
WebP at quality 80: 132.9 KB, 70.9% smaller, background still transparent.
WebP at quality 90: 151.5 KB, transparency kept as well.
JPEG at quality 80 on white: 67.7 KB, 85.2% smaller, but the transparency is gone.
The JPEG number is smaller and tempting, but it is a trap if your store shows products on colored backgrounds or light grey cards. Your product would appear inside an obvious white rectangle, which hurts the page far more than the smaller file helps.
Step by step
- Add your cutout product images to the tool; up to 30 can go in at once.
- Choose WebP as the output format.
- Start at quality 80 and look at the product's edges in the preview. Soft edges such as hair or fabric are the first place damage shows.
- If the edges look rough, raise the quality to 85 or 90.
- Download, and confirm the platform you upload to accepts WebP before replacing your old files.
When JPEG on a solid color is a good choice
If your store design shows every product on one fixed background, such as white or your brand color, you do not need transparency at all. Choose JPEG and set the background field to that exact store color, so the image blends into the page and you get the smallest file. And if the platform rejects WebP while you genuinely need transparency, keep the original PNG, or change formats for another purpose with the Image format converter.
Common questions
Why did I get a transparency warning when my image looks opaque?
It may have semi-transparent pixels at the edges or corners that you cannot see. The tool checks the image and warns you when it finds any transparency.
Does the tool shrink the cutout's dimensions?
No, the dimensions stay the same. If the image is larger than your store needs, reduce its dimensions first.
Are my images uploaded to a server?
No, all processing happens in your browser.