Edit an image on your computer

Cut, crop, or save an image using the built-in image editing program on your computer, MS Paint for Windows and Preview for Mac, before uploading it into your Library

Both Mac and PC come with free image editing programs that allow you to copy an image from its source, paste it into the editor, crop it, resize it, and then save it. Let's take a look at the default image editing software, Paint for PC and Preview for Mac:

• Copy and paste an image into Paint
• Crop an image in Paint
• Resize an image in Paint
• Copy and paste an image into Preview
• Crop an image in Preview
• Resize an image in Preview

Design tip: Before you upload your image into your Library, check the file size and dimensions and make sure it's a compatible file type.

Copy and paste an image into Paint

If you're a PC user, you can copy an image and use Paint to edit it before uploading it into Constant Contact. Just search for "Paint" through the Search field in your taskbar. Older versions of Windows may require you to click Start to find the Search field.

1. Right-click on an image and select Copy or Copy Image. 
   
    
2. Then in MS Paint, click Paste. Your image appears in the work space.
   
   
    
3. Save your image to your computer. For best results, save the image as a JPEG, GIF, or PNG.
   
   

Crop an image in Paint

Did you know? After your image is uploaded into your Library, you can also use our image editing tools to crop it through the Library or while editing your email.

1. Once the image is in Paint, click the Select icon.
   
   
    
2. Highlight the area you want to crop by clicking and dragging with the cursor. Everything inside the dotted lines becomes your new image.
   
   
    
3. In the toolbar click Copy.
   
   
    
4. In the toolbar click New.
   
   
    
5. In the new file, click Paste.
   
   
    
6. Click Save to save your new image.
   
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Resize an image in Paint

Design tip: After your image is uploaded into your Library, you can also use our image editing tools to resize it through the Library or while editing your email.

1. With your image open in Paint, click Resize on the tool bar.
   
   
    
2. Click on the Pixels radio button to display the image size in pixels. 
3. Adjust the size of your image as needed. Leave the Maintain aspect ratio box checked to keep the image proportional.
   Tip: Don't increase the pixel size too much. By increasing the pixel size, you risk your image losing it's clarity and becoming fuzzy or blurry. 
   
   
4. Click Save - we suggest renaming this version so you don't save over your original.
   
   
    

Now that you've prepared your image, it's time to upload it into your Library and then add it to your email, or use it to replace an existing image in your email.

Did you know? Once your image is uploaded to your Library you can make further edits with a whole suite of editing tools! The tools can be accessed through the Library or while editing your email.

For more help using Pant to edit your images, please see Microsoft's Support.

Copy and paste an image into Preview

If you're a Mac user, you can use Preview to edit your images before uploading them to Constant Contact. To find it, click Command + F and then search for "Preview" in the Search field.

1. Find the image you want to edit. CTRL + Click on it and select Copy Image.
   
   
    
2. Open Preview and click File > New from Clipboard.
   
   
    

Crop an image in Preview

Did you know? After your image is uploaded into your Library, you can also use our image editing tools to crop it through the Library or while editing your email.

1. Click to show the Markup Toolbar in the upper right.
   
   
    
2. Click the Selection tool and then click and drag to select your image.
   
   
    
3. Click Crop to remove any excess space you don't need.
   
   
    

Resize an image in Preview

Design tip: After your image is uploaded into your Library, you can also use our image editing tools to resize it through the Library or while editing your email.

1. Click Tools > Adjust Size.
   
   
    
2. Edit the numbers in the boxes to change the width and height. Make sure the "Scale proportionally" box is checked in order to keep the image proportional.
   Tip: Don't increase the pixel size too much. By increasing the pixel size, you risk your image losing it's clarity and becoming fuzzy or blurry.
   
   
3. Click OK.
   
   
    
4. Click File > Save when you're finished editing your image.
   
   
    

Now that you've prepared your image, it's time to upload it into your Library and then add it to your email, or use it to replace an existing image in your email.

Did you know? Once your image is uploaded to your Library you can make further edits with a whole suite of editing tools! The tools can be accessed through the Library or while editing your email.

For more help using Preview to edit your images, please see Apple's Support.

Tip: Looking for ways to make your emails more engaging? Check out our blog on email design.

Any links we provide from non-Constant Contact sites or information about non-Constant Contact products or services are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as an endorsement by Constant Contact.

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