Can I set a custom resolution in Illustrator’s Export As dialog?

Yes, the Export As dialog offers resolution choices of Screen (72 ppi), Medium (150 ppi), and High (300 ppi), or you can enter a custom value.

Does turning off anti-aliasing always make the PNG smaller?

Generally yes, because anti-aliasing adds partially transparent edge pixels that increase file size. However, the difference is most noticeable on complex artwork with many curved edges.

What is the difference between PNG-8 and PNG-24 in Save for Web?

PNG-8 uses indexed colors with a selectable color count (2 to 256), producing smaller files. PNG-24 stores full RGB color with an alpha channel, resulting in larger files.

Should I use Export for Screens if I only need one size?

For a single size, Export As or Save for Web gives you more control over resolution, color depth, and anti-aliasing. Export for Screens is best when you need multiple scales at once.

How to Save a Smaller PNG in Illustrator

To save a smaller PNG in Illustrator, control three things in the export settings: pixel dimensions, color depth, and edge smoothing. The search phrase compress png illustrator points to three export routes: File > Export > Export As, File > Export > Save for Web (Legacy), and File > Export > Export for Screens. More pixels mean a larger file. Choose the lowest pixel count your output can tolerate.

Export as the Standard Route

Use File > Export > Export As for the most direct PNG export. Pick PNG as the format and a PNG Options dialog appears.

Set the Pixel Count

The dialog offers Screen (72 ppi), Medium (150 ppi), and High (300 ppi), or a custom value. Screen produces the smallest file. Medium doubles the linear dimensions, quadrupling the pixel count. High creates the largest file. For web use, choose Screen (72 ppi). It keeps the file small.

Background and Edge Smoothing

Set Background Color to Transparent, White, or Black. Transparent adds an alpha channel. If your artwork has no transparency, White or Black may produce a slightly smaller file because no alpha channel data is stored. Edge smoothing options are None, Art Optimized, and Type Optimized. Select None to disable smoothing. Hard edges require less data to encode, so the file shrinks. Edges may look jagged. Art Optimized and Type Optimized apply smoothing that increases file size. For the smallest PNG, choose None if the appearance works.

When you need to control illustrator export png resolution precisely, the Export As dialog gives you direct access to ppi values.

Save for Web (Legacy) PNG-8 and PNG-24

Open File > Export > Save for Web (Legacy) with Alt+Shift+Ctrl+S (Option+Shift+Cmd+S on Mac). Use this route for save for web png-8 illustrator files. It offers PNG-8 with a selectable color count.

Pick PNG-8 or PNG-24

PNG-8 uses indexed colors. Set a specific number of colors, from 2 to a few. Fewer colors produce a much smaller file. PNG-24 stores full RGB color with an alpha channel for transparency. That makes a larger file. For logos or icons, set PNG-8 to a few colors. File size drops sharply while quality holds.

Turn off edge smoothing in the same panel. The None option removes soft, partially transparent pixels along edges. If your design uses sharp, hard edges, this is a good trade-off.

The Save for Web panel shows a live preview of file size. Compare color counts and smoothing settings before saving.

Export for Screens Multiple Scales

Use File > Export > Export for Screens (Alt+Ctrl+E / Option+Cmd+E) to export artboards or selected assets at multiple scales. This helps when you need the same graphic at 1x and 2x for high-DPI displays.

Scale and File Size

Set a scale of 1x for the smallest file. A 2x scale doubles width and height in pixels, quadrupling the pixel count and file size. Export only the artboards or assets you need. Skip the rest.

The Export for Screens dialog does not offer the same color depth or edge smoothing controls as the other routes. It uses the document's rasterization settings. Before exporting, set your document's raster effects to Screen. Use illustrator export for screens as a batch tool for consistent scaling.

Transparency and File Size

An illustrator transparent png stores an alpha channel for each pixel, so the file is slightly larger. In Export As, setting Background Color to Transparent adds this channel. In Save for Web, PNG-24 preserves transparency. PNG-8 supports a single transparent color through index transparency.

If your artwork does not use transparency, choose a solid background color in Export As. White or Black removes the alpha channel and reduces file size. In Save for Web, select a matte color instead of transparency for the same effect.

Vector Alternatives SVG

For simple vector graphics, export as SVG. SVG files store mathematical paths instead of pixels, so they are often much smaller than PNG for logos, icons, or line art. If your design is mostly vector and does not need photographic detail, choose File > Export > Export As and pick SVG. The file stays minimal and scales at any size. Need a pixel-based format for compatibility? The PNG export routes above work.

Summary Choosing the Right Route

Export As (File > Export > Export As): Use for precise control over ppi, background color, and edge smoothing. Set Screen (72 ppi) and smoothing None for the smallest file.
Save for Web (Legacy) (Alt+Shift+Ctrl+S / Option+Shift+Cmd+S): Use for PNG-8 with a low color count. Pick the fewest colors that still look good, and disable smoothing. Live preview helps you balance quality and size.
Export for Screens (Alt+Ctrl+E / Option+Cmd+E): Use for batch exporting at multiple scales. Set 1x scale for the smallest file. Keep your document's raster effects low.

For all three routes, more pixels mean larger files. Choose the lowest acceptable pixel count and color depth for your use case.