Export and troubleshooting
Troubleshoot blurry Aquarell exports: pixels, scaling, brushes and compression
Locate blur at the original, exported-file or published-page stage, distinguishing insufficient pixels, soft brushwork, JPEG compression and webpage enlargement.
On this page
When an image looks blurry, identify the stage where blur begins before changing settings. The original in Aquarell, the newly exported file, and the final webpage are three separate observation points. Exporting again cannot invent detail missing from the original. If blur appears only online, check display and upload processing.
Use a practice image containing thin lines, text, and color blocks to establish a troubleshooting sequence. Keep the native file and one export that has not been repeatedly processed, so troubleshooting does not alter your only evidence.
1. Check whether the original has enough pixels
Check the canvas dimensions. A 600 × 600-pixel original displayed 1200 pixels wide lacks enough source pixels to fill every display position. Raising DPI cannot add real brushstroke detail.
First, view it near its native pixel dimensions. If edges are still soft, inspect the brush and drawing itself. If it is clear at native size but blurry only when enlarged heavily, the intended output probably exceeds the original's available detail.
2. Distinguish soft brushwork from insufficient resolution
Watercolor-style, textured, and low-opacity strokes naturally have soft edges. Compare them with a solid thin line on the same canvas. If that line is sharp and only textured strokes are soft, the export may be working correctly.
On a separate test layer, draw a consistent brush line, a solid color block, and a few characters. Save a test copy first so temporary content does not enter the final artwork. This comparison helps distinguish whole-image blur from a style that intentionally avoids hard edges.
3. Check whether export reduced the size
Open Export and check whether the current version shows image or output dimensions. If so, ensure a smaller setting from a previous export has not remained selected. For example, a 2400-pixel original exported with a 512-pixel long edge may look soft when stretched across a large webpage.
Inspect the exported file's actual pixels, not just its name. A file labeled “high resolution” may still be tiny. Export both PNG and JPEG at identical dimensions to distinguish resizing from compression effects.
4. Look for JPEG compression artifacts
Inspect high-contrast text for edge artifacts and color boundaries for blocks or fine noise. If PNG remains clearer while JPEG differs noticeably, raise JPEG quality or use PNG for that purpose.
Avoid repeatedly saving an already compressed JPEG. Return to the native artwork and export again for a more reliable comparison. If both formats are equally blurry at the same dimensions, investigate the original, output scaling, or viewing method rather than focus only on the quality slider.
5. Check for additional processing by the website
Compare the local file with the actual uploaded resource. The platform may resize it, convert its format, or generate a low-resolution thumbnail. The displayed resource may differ from the uploaded original, especially when different screen sizes select different versions.
If the blog stretches an 800-pixel image to 1400 pixels wide, limit its display width or export a new image with enough pixels. Increasing CSS dimensions does not create high resolution. Also check for nonproportional stretching, which can distort text and edges.
Completion check: change one stage at a time
Create a comparison export with sufficient pixels and relatively high quality, and view it locally at normal size. Upload the same file to a draft page and compare. Change only export size, compression, or web display at one time so you know what solved the issue.
Record the final pixels, format, and page display dimensions. Reuse these checks for the same blog series instead of guessing whether the brush is at fault each time. If only one viewer shows the issue, confirm it elsewhere so a preview cache is not mistaken for the file itself.
When redrawing is necessary
If thin lines never had enough pixels in the original, or a small image has been repeatedly enlarged and compressed, export settings cannot restore all the missing detail. Return to an earlier original or redraw key areas for the target dimensions.
When redrawing, choose a canvas for the actual use and test a small area to confirm that text and lines remain readable at final size before finishing the whole work. This gives more control than relying on enlargement after completion.
Keep comparable evidence of the problem
When reporting a problem, retain the original dimensions, export format, actual exported pixels, and the place where blur appears. Screenshots show what was visible, while original files help distinguish compression from scaling. Two screenshots at different zoom levels are not a controlled comparison; standardize viewing conditions first.
Questions and limitations
Why is it still blurry at 300 DPI?
DPI mainly describes physical print size. Inspect actual pixel dimensions and display size, then original detail and compression. A small image gains no information simply from a higher DPI value.
If it is sharp on a phone but blurry on a computer, did export fail?
First, compare the actual display dimensions and loaded files. A phone may show a smaller image, while a computer enlarges it or loads a different thumbnail. Confirm this before drawing conclusions.
Can visible pixel blocks at high magnification be eliminated completely?
Raster images reveal pixels at sufficiently high magnification. Whether action is needed depends on the final use; normal behavior at extreme zoom is not automatically a defect. Judge at the real display size.
Can sharpening alone solve it?
This tutorial does not require an extra sharpening tool. Sharpening cannot recover detail that never existed, and excessive processing may add edge noise. First identify insufficient pixels or compression.
Sources and applicable version
Information checked on October 22, 2026, for Aquarell 1.0.5 (iOS / iPadOS 15.0 or later). See the official description and Apple release lookup; the interface may change with the version.