Download sizes explained
Choose whether clients can download the files you uploaded, resized copies for screens, or both. Set the available sizes for each gallery under Settings → Downloads.
On Free, clients can download web sizes only. Original downloads need Plus or Pro. See CoreHue plans.
The four download sizes
| Size | What it is | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Original | The file exactly as you uploaded it, at full resolution | Prints, albums, archiving |
| Web Size (2048px) | A resized copy, large enough for most screens | Sharing, social media, small prints |
| Standard (1024px) | A smaller resized copy | Websites, messages |
| Small (640px) | A thumbnail-sized copy | Quick previews |
You choose Original, an Optimized size, or both. The optimized options are one-at-a-time: pick Web Size, Standard or Small, not several. So your client never sees more than two choices.
New galleries start with Original and Web Size (2048px), which covers almost everyone.
Which sizes to offer
Full delivery (weddings, families, most portraits). Original plus Web Size. Your client gets print-quality files to keep, and a lighter version for posting and sending to family.
You sell prints or albums. Turn Original off and offer Web Size only. Clients can share their photos online, and the files aren't big enough to print large on their own.
Proofing or a sneak peek. Small or Standard only, or turn downloads off completely and let your client pick favorites instead.
Commercial work. Original only, if your client's team needs the full files and nothing else.
If you're unsure, offer both. A client can always make a small copy from a big file, never the other way round.
Turning sizes on and off
- Open the gallery and go to Settings → Downloads.
- Make sure Allow downloads is on.
- Switch Original and Optimized on or off, and pick an optimized size.
- Click Save.
At least one size has to stay on. If you'd rather clients couldn't download anything, turn off Allow downloads instead.
On the Free plan
Free accounts offer web sizes only:
- Original shows as off, and your client isn't offered it.
- Your client gets your optimized size, or Web Size (2048px) if you'd only chosen Original.
- Turning Original on opens "Allow original downloads": "Your Free plan includes web-size downloads. Upgrade to a paid plan to let clients download original files."
Your choices are kept. As soon as you're on Plus or Pro, Original is offered again with nothing to redo. See What's included on the Free plan.
What your client sees
If you offer two sizes, your client is asked which one they want, with a Remember my selection box so they're only asked once. After each photo download, a small message confirms the size (like "Downloading Original") with a Change link in case they picked the wrong one. With only one size, the photo downloads straight away.
On the whole-gallery download page, they pick a size once for everything. See What your client sees when they download.
Frequently asked questions
Is Original the same file I uploaded?
Yes. The Original download size is the file you uploaded, at full resolution. If you upload RAW files on Pro, Original gives your client the RAW file itself, so think about whether that's what you want. See Uploading RAW files.
Do download sizes apply to videos?
No. Download sizes apply to photos only. Videos always download as an MP4, in HD on Plus or up to 4K on Pro. See Letting clients download videos.
Can I offer Web Size and Small together?
No. You can offer one optimized download size at a time, plus Original if you like.
My client says the photos are blurry when printed. Why?
Blurry prints usually mean your client downloaded a web size, which is meant for screens. If you offer Original, point them to it for printing. On the Free plan, only web sizes are available.