PhixitPosterize an image
Posterizing reduces smooth gradients to a few flat steps of color, like a screen print or a vintage travel poster.
Free, no sign-up. Your photo stays on your device. Try it on a sample photo
How to posterize an image
- Choose or drop an image. It opens with the Posterize style applied.
- Raise Style amount for fewer, bolder color steps; lower it for more.
- Boost Saturation for a pop-art look, then save from Export.
Good to know
- Simple subjects with clear shapes, such as portraits on a plain background, posterize best.
- Apply a little Noise reduction first so the color bands have clean edges.
- Save as PNG to keep the flat colors perfectly flat.
Questions
What does posterize mean?
Reducing the number of tones in each color channel, so smooth transitions become visible steps.
How many levels should I use?
Three to five per channel gives a bold poster; eight or more looks like a subtle, retro image.
Is this like a cartoon filter?
It is close. Combine it with the Pencil sketch style on a copy for an inked cartoon look.
Related tools
- Duotone effectMap a photo to two colors of your choice, from bold poster palettes to subtle tinted prints.
- Halftone effectTurn a photo into a dot pattern like old newspapers and comics, with adjustable dot size.
- ThresholdTurn a photo, scan or signature into pure black and white with no grays, with an adjustable cut-off.
- Pixelate an imageTurn a photo into big retro pixels or 8-bit style art, with an adjustable block size.