How do you scale and crop text and graphics to fit different formats and platforms?

1 Know your dimensions

Before you start designing, you need to know the dimensions of your final output. This will help you set up your artboard, your guides, and your margins. You can use presets for common formats, such as A4, letter, or web banners, or you can create custom sizes for specific platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. You can also change the units and the orientation of your artboard according to your preference.

2 Use smart objects

One of the advantages of vector graphics is that they can be scaled up or down without losing quality or detail. However, if you're using raster images, such as photos or textures, in your design, you need to make sure they are high-resolution and converted to smart objects. Smart objects are layers that preserve the original image data and allow you to resize, transform, or apply effects without affecting the quality. To convert an image to a smart object, select it and go to Object > Convert to Smart Object.

3 Align and distribute

When you have multiple text and graphic elements on your artboard, you need to align and distribute them properly to create balance and harmony. You can use the Align panel or the Control panel to align objects to each other, to the artboard, or to a key object. You can also use the Distribute options to space objects evenly along a horizontal or vertical axis. To access these options, select the objects you want to align or distribute and click on the icons in the panel or the toolbar.

4 Crop and mask

Sometimes, you may need to crop or mask some parts of your text or graphics to fit your format or to create a certain effect. You can use the Crop tool or the Clipping Mask feature to do that. The Crop tool lets you trim the edges of your artboard or your image by dragging the handles. The Clipping Mask feature lets you hide parts of an image or a group of objects by using another object as a mask. To create a clipping mask, select the object you want to use as a mask and the object or group you want to mask and go to Object > Clipping Mask > Make.

5 Export and save

When you're done with your design, you need to export and save it in the appropriate format and resolution for your platform. You can use the Export for Screens or the Save for Web options to optimize your file size and quality. You can also choose from different formats, such as JPEG, PNG, SVG, or PDF, depending on your purpose. To access these options, go to File > Export > Export for Screens or File > Export > Save for Web.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?