Optimizing Image Transfer for Cost-Effective and Reliable Automations
When you’re building scenarios with Picsart on Make, efficient image transfer is key. It helps reduce costs, speed up workflows, and avoid hitting data limits. Here are practical strategies to streamline image handling in your automations.
1. Choose the Right File Format
Stick to formats that offer a good balance between size and quality:
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JPEG for general photos—smaller file size with acceptable quality
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PNG when transparency is needed
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WEBP for optimized web delivery
Avoid TIFF or raw formats unless absolutely necessary—they’re large and may not be supported by all modules.
2. Compress Images Before Transfer
Use compression to shrink file sizes without losing much quality.
How:
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Use Picsart’s built-in Compress Image module
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Or connect external tools (like TinyPNG or CloudConvert) to compress before sending to or from Picsart
This reduces bandwidth usage and speeds up execution.
3. Use Conditional Logic to Transfer Only When Needed
Avoid transferring every image by default.
How:
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Add routers or filters in your Make scenario
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Only send images to Picsart if they meet certain criteria (e.g., file size, type, tags)
This saves both time and resources.
4. Use Thumbnails for Previews
If your use case involves previews, don't transfer full-resolution files.
What to do:
Create or use lower-resolution versions (thumbnails) of images for previews. This significantly reduces data usage in workflows like email notifications, content approvals, or admin dashboards.
5. Store and Reference via Cloud Links
Instead of passing image files directly, upload them to a cloud storage service and pass the public URL.
Services to consider:
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Dropbox
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Google Drive
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Amazon S3
This way, you avoid repeatedly transferring large files through Make.
6. Minimize Extra Data
Only pass the data you actually need.
Tips:
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Exclude unnecessary metadata or large fields (e.g., raw EXIF data)
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Use Make’s Set Variable or Text Aggregator modules to reduce payload size
7. Clean Up Regularly
If your scenario creates or transfers lots of files, schedule cleanup steps.
How:
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Automatically archive or delete old files
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Keep your storage and workflows lean
This prevents bloated scenarios and wasted transfer on unused content.
8. Test for Efficiency
Before going live, test your scenario with a variety of image types and sizes.
What to check:
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File transfer times
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Execution duration
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Error rate under load
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Output file sizes
Adjust your setup if anything looks inefficient or excessive.
9. Stay Informed About Updates
Picsart or Make may release updates that improve image handling or reduce data use.
What to do:
Review module release notes and API updates. Take advantage of new features like better compression options or enhanced cloud integrations.
Quick Recap: Efficient Image Handling in Make
✅ Use JPEG, PNG, or WEBP
✅ Compress before upload
✅ Apply logic to limit transfers
✅ Use thumbnails when possible
✅ Store and link via cloud platforms
✅ Keep data minimal
✅ Test and refine your workflow
✅ Watch for platform updates
Need help building a high-efficiency image scenario?
Check the Make Community or reach out to your Picsart support rep for best practices specific to your use case.