Upscaling Explained? 7 FREE Apps to Upscale Art in 2024. Tutorial & Review for Print on Demand
TLDRIn this video, Juna from Detour Shirts discusses the importance of upscaling AI-generated images for print-on-demand purposes. She demonstrates the pixelation issue that occurs when stretching a small AI image to a larger size and explains that upscaling adds pixels to create a smoother, less pixelated image. Juna reviews seven free online apps for upscaling: Upscale.do, I Love IMG, DGb LOL, Pixel Cut, Leonardo, Mid Journey, and Canva. Each app has its pros and cons, such as file format compatibility, upscaling limits, and processing time. She also highlights the benefits of upscaling over vectorizing, particularly in preserving gradients and avoiding jagged edges. The summary encourages viewers to experiment with these apps to find the best one for their needs and to look out for a follow-up video on removing backgrounds from the upscaled images.
Takeaways
- π¨ **Upscaling Importance**: Upscaling is crucial for enlarging AI-generated images to the size needed for print on demand without pixelation.
- πΌοΈ **Affinity Designer Demo**: The video demonstrates the pixelation issue when stretching an image in Affinity Designer and the benefits of upscaling.
- π **Image Quality**: Upscaling adds pixels to make the image smoother and clearer, which is essential for print quality.
- π **Free Upscaling Tools**: Several free online apps are available for upscaling images, such as Upscale.doai and I Love IMG.
- π **Vectorizing vs. Upscaling**: Vectorizing provides a clean edge, but upscaling is an alternative that retains gradients and details.
- π **Speed and Quality**: Some tools like DGb LOL offer high-quality upscaling at six times but take longer, while others like Pixel Cut are faster but may have limitations.
- π‘ **WebP Format**: Many upscalers do not support WebP format, requiring conversion to PNG or JPEG before upscaling.
- π οΈ **Mid Journey and Leonardo**: These platforms have their own upscaling tools tailored for images created within their ecosystems.
- π **Canva's Pixel Perfect**: Canva Pro users have access to an upscaling app called Pixel Perfect, which enhances image quality.
- π **Credits and Subscriptions**: Some upscaling services require credits or subscriptions for higher quality or faster processing.
- βοΈ **Post-Upscaling Edits**: After upscaling, additional editing might be needed to remove backgrounds or refine the image for print.
Q & A
What is the main topic of the video?
-The main topic of the video is upscaling art, specifically for print on demand, and the presenter, Juna from Detour Shirts, discusses various free apps that can be used for this purpose.
Why is upscaling necessary for AI images used in print on demand?
-Upscaling is necessary because AI images typically come in a smaller size (e.g., 1024 x 1024), which is not suitable for print on demand. Upscaling increases the image size without significant pixelation, making it suitable for high-quality printing.
What is the target size for Amazon Merch on demand or T-shirt print on demand?
-The target size for Amazon Merch on demand or T-shirt print on demand is 4500 by 5400 pixels.
What is the difference between upscaling and vectorizing an image?
-Upscaling adds pixels to an image to make it larger and smoother, while vectorizing converts the image into a mathematical formula that can be scaled without losing quality. Vectorized images provide clean, sharp edges, which is beneficial for certain types of designs.
Which app was mentioned that upscales images using AI and accepts both PNG and JPEG formats?
-The app mentioned is called 'upscale.doai', which uses AI to upscale images and accepts both PNG and JPEG formats.
How does the 'I Love IMG' app handle the upscaling process?
-The 'I Love IMG' app upscales images up to 4 times their original size and is noted for its speed and quality in the video.
What is a limitation of the 'Pixel Cut' app?
-A limitation of the 'Pixel Cut' app is that it only upscales images up to 4,000 pixels, and for larger sizes, a user would need to pay a monthly or yearly subscription.
What is the advantage of using 'Mid Journey' for upscaling AI images?
-The advantage of using 'Mid Journey' is that it can upscale images created within the platform up to four times their original size, which is quick and straightforward for users of that service.
How does the 'Canva' app contribute to the upscaling process?
-The 'Canva' app has an in-built feature called 'Pixel Perfect' that can upscale images. However, it's unclear from the video if this feature is available in the free version of Canva.
What is the primary reason for upscaling images for print on demand?
-The primary reason for upscaling images for print on demand is to ensure that the design is of high enough resolution to look crisp and clear when printed on merchandise like T-shirts.
What is the recommended upscaling size for print on demand designs?
-The recommended upscaling size for print on demand designs is 4500 by 5400 pixels, which is a standard size for Amazon Merch on demand and other similar services.
Outlines
π¨ Introduction to Upscaling and Vectorizing AI Art
Juna from Detour Shirts introduces the topic of upscaling and vectorizing AI-generated images for print-on-demand. The video aims to showcase seven free online apps for upscaling and compares them to vectorizing methods. Juna begins by explaining the importance of upscaling to meet the required dimensions for print-on-demand services like Amazon Merch, emphasizing the standard size of 4500x5400 pixels. The limitations of simply stretching a 1024x1024 AI image are demonstrated, highlighting the need for upscaling or vectorizing to achieve a clean, pixel-free design.
π Comparing Upscaling Methods and Results
Juna compares different upscaling methods by using an AI-generated image of a monster truck with Easter eggs. The limitations of webp files are discussed, and a workaround using PNG files is suggested. The video demonstrates the use of the upscale.doai website, showing the differences between 1x, 2x, and 4x upscaling. The importance of cleaner images for design purposes is emphasized, and the results from other free upscalers are explored, including 'I love IMG,' which offers upscaling up to 4x for free.
π Exploring Free Upscaling Options and Their Limitations
The video continues with the exploration of free upscaling options, including websites like dgb LOL, which offers upscaling up to 6x, and pixel cut, which has limitations on image size but is praised for its speed. Juna also discusses the limitations of certain platforms, such as the 2x limit on Leonardo's Universal upscaler and the cost associated with multiple uses. The video provides practical tips for working within these limitations, such as cropping and resizing images to fit the upscaling restrictions.
π Discovering Hidden Upscaling Tools inεΈΈη¨ Platforms
Juna unveils lesser-known upscaling tools within popular platforms such as Leonardo, mid Journey, and Canva. The video demonstrates how to use these platforms' built-in apps for upscaling AI-generated images. The limitations and cost associated with each platform are discussed, along with their suitability for different types of images and designs. Juna emphasizes the convenience of using these tools, especially for users already familiar with the platforms.
π Summary of Upscaling Options and Next Steps
Juna concludes the video by summarizing the various upscaling options explored and their respective advantages and limitations. The importance of choosing the right method based on the specific needs of the design is highlighted. Juna also previews the next video, which will focus on removing the white background and other unwanted elements from the upscaled images. The video ends with a call to action for viewers to share their preferred upscaling methods and to continue experimenting with the tools presented.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Upscaling
π‘Affinity Designer
π‘Vectorizing
π‘Print on Demand (POD)
π‘AI Image
π‘Pixelation
π‘WebP
π‘I Love IMG
π‘Dgbl LOL
π‘Pixel Cut
π‘Canva
Highlights
Juna from Detour Shirts discusses upscaling and its importance for print on demand.
Seven free online apps for upscaling are introduced.
Affinity Designer is used to demonstrate the effects of upscaling on an AI image.
AI images are typically 1024x1024 and need upscaling for larger print sizes.
Upscaling adds pixels to create a smoother, less pixelated image.
Vectorizing is an alternative method for achieving a clean, scalable design.
Free upscalers often only accept PNG and JPEG formats.
Upscale.doai is a free AI-powered image upscaler.
I Love IMG provides upscaling up to 4X for free.
Dgbl LOL offers upscaling up to 6X, but processing times can be long.
Pixel Cut is a fast upscaling tool with a limit on image size.
Leonardo's Universal upscaler is suitable for photorealistic images.
Mid Journey can upscale designs created within its platform up to 4X.
Canva's Pixel Perfect app can upscale images, but availability may depend on subscription.
Different upscaling methods have various limitations and use-cases.
Upscaling retains clean gradients, unlike vectorization which can alter them.
The process of removing the white background and other elements will be covered in a future video.
Viewers are encouraged to comment on their preferred upscaling methods.
A previous video on vectorizing is linked for those interested in an alternative to upscaling.