Editing Images in Publlish

Publlish includes a built-in image editor so you can make quick adjustments to images directly in the composer without needing to switch to an external tool. This covers cropping, resizing, basic adjustments, and how to get images into the right format for each platform.

What the Publlish Image Editor Can Do

The image editor is designed for quick fixes — not deep photo editing. It handles:

• Crop — remove unwanted edges or reframe a shot
• Resize — scale the image to platform-specific dimensions
• Aspect ratio presets — quickly crop to 1:1, 4:5, 9:16, 1.91:1 and other common social media ratios
• Rotate and flip — correct orientation issues from phone uploads
• Basic brightness and contrast — minor exposure and contrast adjustments
• Filters — basic colour treatment options

For complex edits, advanced retouching, or brand-specific treatments, use your design tool (Canva, Photoshop, Lightroom) before uploading to Publlish.

How to Edit an Image in Publlish

1. In the composer, after uploading an image, click the Edit icon (pencil or crop icon) on the image preview
2. The image editor will open
3. Make your adjustments: - Select a crop preset for your target platform - Drag the crop handles to reframe - Apply adjustments or filters if needed
4. Click Apply or Save
5. The edited version will replace the original in the composer
6. Schedule as normal

Cropping to the Right Aspect Ratio

The most common reason to use the image editor is to crop an image to the right aspect ratio for a specific platform. Use the preset ratios in the editor:

When you select a preset, drag the crop box to position it around the most important part of the image — keep faces and key subjects centred.

Full Instagram aspect ratio guide →

Editing Images for Carousels

For Instagram or LinkedIn carousels, all slides need to be the same aspect ratio. If you're editing multiple images for a carousel:

1. Decide on one aspect ratio for the whole carousel (1:1 or 4:5 for Instagram)
2. Edit each image using the same preset in the image editor
3. Upload all edited images to the carousel post

Consistent cropping across carousel slides creates a polished, professional look.

When to Use an External Tool Instead

The Publlish image editor is great for quick crops and adjustments. Use an external tool when you need:

• Brand-specific colours or typography added to an image
• Complex compositing or layering
• Precise colour grading
• Removing backgrounds
• Creating graphic templates (use Canva or Adobe Express)
• Batch editing multiple images at once

Recommended external tools:

• Canva — free, excellent for social media graphics and templates
• Adobe Express — professional-quality quick edits
• Lightroom — best for photo colour grading and batch editing
• Remove.bg — fast background removal
• Photoshop — professional retouching and compositing

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit images directly in Publlish without using an external tool? Yes — Publlish has a built-in image editor for cropping, resizing, rotating, and basic adjustments. For advanced editing, use an external tool before uploading.

Does editing an image in Publlish change the original file? No — Publlish creates an edited version for the post without modifying your original uploaded file.

Can I apply the same crop to multiple images at once? The Publlish image editor processes images individually. For batch cropping, use an external tool like Lightroom or Canva's bulk resize feature.

What if I made a mistake in the image editor? Use the Undo button within the editor, or close without saving and re-upload the original image.

Can I add text or graphics to images in Publlish's editor? Text overlays and graphic elements are not part of Publlish's image editor — use Canva or Adobe Express for graphics. The editor is for cropping, resizing, and basic photo adjustments only.

Related Guides

• Instagram accepted aspect ratios →
• Ideal image sizes and formats →
• Attaching media to posts →
• Adding alt text to images →