How to Create Custom Photo Sizes on SmugMug?

Creating custom photo sizes on SmugMug gives you complete control over how your images appear to visitors. Whether you're a professional photographer selling prints or simply sharing family photos, customizing your image dimensions ensures your work looks exactly as intended. This guide will walk you through the entire process of creating and managing custom photo sizes on SmugMug.

Why Custom Photo Sizes Matter on SmugMug

Before diving into the how-to steps, let's understand why custom sizing is important:

• Maintains the artistic integrity of your photographs
• Ensures proper display across different devices
• Helps with professional printing requirements
• Allows for specific social media sharing dimensions
• Gives you control over file sizes and loading times

Getting Started with SmugMug Custom Sizes

SmugMug offers both standard sizing options and the ability to create custom sizes. The platform automatically generates multiple versions of your uploaded photos, but sometimes you need specific dimensions that aren't available by default.

Understanding SmugMug's Default Sizing System

SmugMug automatically creates these standard sizes for each uploaded photo:

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Custom Photo Sizes

Step 1: Log into Your SmugMug Account

First, access your SmugMug account by visiting smugmug.com and signing in with your credentials. Make sure you're using an account with the appropriate permission level to modify settings.

Step 2: Access Your Site Settings

Once logged in:

1. Click on your profile icon in the top right corner
2. Select "Settings" from the dropdown menu
3. In the left sidebar, find and click on "Website"
4. Look for "Image Sizes" or "Display Settings" (depending on your account type)

Step 3: Navigate to the Custom Sizes Section

In the Settings area:

1. Scroll down until you find the "Custom Sizes" option
2. Click on "Create New Size" or a similar button (this may vary slightly based on your subscription level)

Step 4: Define Your Custom Size Parameters

Now you'll see a form where you can specify your custom size details:

1. Name your custom size (choose something descriptive like "Instagram Square" or "Print 8x10")
2. Set the width in pixels
3. Set the height in pixels
4. Choose whether to maintain aspect ratio or force exact dimensions
5. Select the output quality (higher quality means larger file size)
6. Decide if you want to apply sharpening

Step 5: Save Your New Custom Size

After configuring your settings:

1. Click "Save" or "Create Size"
2. Wait for SmugMug to process the change (this usually happens quickly)

Step 6: Apply Your Custom Size to Galleries

Your new custom size is now available, but you need to apply it:

1. Go to the gallery where you want to use the custom size
2. Click "Gallery Settings" or the gear icon
3. Find "Display Settings" or "Image Sizes"
4. Select your new custom size from the dropdown options
5. Save your gallery settings

Advanced Custom Sizing Techniques

Creating Sizes for Specific Purposes

For Social Media

Different social platforms require different dimensions for optimal display:

For Print Purposes

If you're selling prints, these custom sizes ensure proper dimensions:

• 4x6 inches: 1200 x 1800 pixels (at 300 DPI)
• 5x7 inches: 1500 x 2100 pixels (at 300 DPI)
• 8x10 inches: 2400 x 3000 pixels (at 300 DPI)
• 11x14 inches: 3300 x 4200 pixels (at 300 DPI)

Using Custom Watermarks with Custom Sizes

SmugMug allows you to combine custom sizes with watermarking:

1. Create your custom size following the steps above
2. Go to Settings > Website > Watermarking
3. Create or select your watermark
4. Specify which sizes should include the watermark
5. Adjust watermark position and opacity as needed
6. Save your settings

Managing Your Custom Sizes

Editing Existing Custom Sizes

Need to adjust a size you've already created? Here's how:

1. Go to Settings > Website > Image Sizes
2. Find your custom size in the list
3. Click "Edit" or the pencil icon next to it
4. Make your changes to dimensions or other parameters
5. Save your updated settings

Deleting Custom Sizes

To remove a custom size you no longer need:

1. Go to Settings > Website > Image Sizes
2. Find the size you want to remove
3. Click "Delete" or the trash icon
4. Confirm the deletion when prompted

Note: Deleting a custom size will not affect your original photos, but galleries set to display that size will revert to a default size.

Setting Default Custom Sizes

Make your life easier by setting defaults:

1. Go to Settings > Website > Display Settings
2. Look for "Default Image Sizes"
3. Select your preferred custom size for each display context (thumbnails, lightbox, etc.)
4. Save your preferences

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Custom Sizes Not Applying

If your custom sizes aren't showing up:

• Check that you saved the custom size correctly
• Verify you applied it to the specific gallery
• Try clearing your browser cache
• Give SmugMug time to process (especially for large galleries)

Image Quality Problems

If your custom-sized images look poor:

• Make sure you're not enlarging beyond the original size
• Check your quality settings (higher is better but creates larger files)
• Consider enabling sharpening for downsized images
• Verify your original upload was high resolution

Performance Considerations

Be aware that creating many custom sizes can impact performance:

• Each custom size requires additional storage
• Very large sizes may slow down gallery loading
• Consider limiting custom sizes to those you truly need

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create custom sizes on any SmugMug subscription plan?

No, custom sizing features vary by plan level. Basic plans have limited custom sizing options, while Power, Portfolio, and Business plans offer more flexibility. Check your specific plan details to see what's available to you.

Will creating custom sizes affect my storage limit?

Yes, each custom size creates another version of your photo that counts toward your storage. If you create many custom sizes across a large photo collection, you'll use more of your storage allowance.

Can I apply my custom sizes to photos I've already uploaded?

Yes, when you create a new custom size, SmugMug will generate that version for all existing photos as well as new uploads. This might take some time for large galleries.

How do I know what pixel dimensions to use for my custom sizes?

For web display, consider common screen resolutions. For prints, multiply the desired print dimensions in inches by the DPI (usually 300 for quality prints). For example, an 8x10 inch print at 300 DPI would be 2400x3000 pixels.

Can visitors to my SmugMug site download my photos in custom sizes?

Yes, if you enable downloading. You can control which sizes are available for download through your privacy and sharing settings. This gives you control over the quality of images visitors can save from your site.

Conclusion

Creating custom photo sizes on SmugMug puts you in control of how your images appear across the web and in print. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure your photographs always look their best, whether viewed on a smartphone, computer monitor, or as physical prints. Take time to experiment with different dimensions to find what works best for your specific photography needs. Remember that SmugMug's flexibility with custom sizing is one of its strongest features for serious photographers who care about presentation quality.