Posterize Image
Reduce each color channel to a few levels for a bold, flat, poster-like effect.
Add images
PNG, JPG, WebP, HEIC, SVG — anything your browser can decode.
Choose an output
Reduce each color channel to a few levels for a bold, flat, poster-like effect.
Fine-tune
Optional — sensible defaults are already set.
About Posterize Image
Posterizing reduces each color channel to a small number of levels, so smooth gradients break into bold, flat bands of color. The result looks like a screen print or pop-art poster, and you choose between 2 and 16 levels per channel.
When it helps
- Giving photos a graphic, screen-print or comic style for posters and covers.
- Simplifying an image's colors before tracing it to SVG or printing it with limited inks.
- Creating retro, limited-palette artwork.
Tips
- 2-4 levels gives a strong, flat poster look. 8 or more gives a subtle effect with visible banding mainly in skies and gradients.
- Levels apply to red, green and blue separately, so 4 levels can still produce up to 64 different colors.
- Images with clear subjects and strong lighting posterize better than busy, low-contrast scenes.
Good to know
Quick answers about posterize image in your browser.
It means reducing the number of tones in an image, so continuous gradients become a few distinct color steps, like old printed posters.
Start at 4 for a clear stylized effect. Go down to 2-3 for a bolder look or up to 6-8 for something more natural.
Yes. There is no sign-up, no watermark and no limit on how many files you process.
No. Files are read and processed locally in your browser, so they never leave your device.
Related tools
Part of the Image Effects collection.