Give an image a posterized look

Illustrators and creators can stylize a photograph quickly when a project calls for defined color blocks or a retro finish.

Reduce the color levels in an image and get a bold graphic result reminiscent of a poster or screen print, without laborious manual grading.

How to use

Load a photo or illustration in PNG, JPEG, or WebP format; keep the file at or below 20 MB.
Change the number of levels per color to make the color blocks broader or more detailed.
Compare the preview with the original to see how gradients turn into distinct bands.
Process the image and download the posterized version.

Example

A designer wants a landscape photo to look like a screen-printed poster. They lower the color levels until the sky and shadows become bold shapes, then check that the main subject is still recognizable. The result can serve as a base for a print layout.

Limits and formats

Strong settings can create visible banding, particularly in skies, skin tones, and soft shadows.
This tool does not trace the image into vectors or produce an SVG file.
Supported inputs are PNG, JPEG, and WebP, and each image must be 20 MB or less.
Very low color levels can remove useful detail, so keep the original file for further experiments.

Where processing happens

Posterization is calculated on your device by the browser. The image you choose is not sent anywhere, and no sign-up is needed. You can test different level values locally before downloading the version you prefer.

Frequently asked questions

What number of levels gives the best poster look?

There is no universal setting. A small number of levels creates a very graphic result, while a higher number preserves more subtle color shifts. Start with a middle value, study the preview, then reduce it step by step if you want flatter areas.

Does posterizing work well on portraits?

It can work, but faces show the effect quickly. Skin and shadows may break into noticeable bands. If you use it on a portrait, try several settings and check the eyes, cheeks, and background before deciding which version to keep.

What happens to my original picture?

The source file is not overwritten. The tool creates a new posterized image in your browser, and you download that copy. Keeping the original is useful if you later want to compare settings or return to the natural colors.