What is upscaling and when should I use it?

Overview

Upscaling is an AI-powered resolution enhancement feature that transforms standard-resolution generated images (800-1024px) into high-resolution 2K images (2048px) without quality degradation. This technology enables images originally designed for digital screens to be repurposed for print media, large-format displays, and high-DPI devices—expanding the commercial usability of every generation.

What is Upscaling?

Technical Explanation: GRYYD's AI generation produces images at standard web resolution (typically 800x800px to 1024x1024px depending on aspect ratio). While perfectly suitable for websites, social media, and digital advertising, these resolutions are insufficient for print media or large displays where viewers are close to the image.

Upscaling employs specialized AI models trained on high-resolution photography to intelligently interpolate detail, predicting and generating missing pixel information rather than simply stretching existing pixels (which causes blurriness and pixelation). The result is a 2048px image (2K resolution) that maintains sharpness and clarity when viewed at larger sizes or printed.

Resolution Comparison:

Visual Quality:

• Standard: Sharp on phone/tablet/computer screens (typical viewing)
• Upscaled: Maintains sharpness when printed on 8x10" posters, viewed on 4K displays, or shown on digital signboards

When to Use Upscaling

Essential (Upscaling Required):

1. Print Materials: Brochures, posters (8x10" to 24x36"), magazine ads, packaging, POS displays
   • Standard (1024px): Up to 3x3" at 300 DPI | Upscaled (2048px): Up to 6x6" at 300 DPI
2. Large-Format Displays: Billboards, trade show booths, retail windows, 4K digital signage
3. High-DPI Devices: Retina displays, 4K monitors, high-end tablets
4. Future-Proofing: Asset libraries, client deliverables, multi-channel campaigns

NOT Necessary (Digital-Only):

• Instagram/Facebook (1080-1200px sufficient)
• Websites (rarely >1024px)
• Email marketing (compressed anyway)
• TikTok/YouTube thumbnails

Efficiency Note: Upscaling consumes additional credits. Skip for digital-only use to conserve credits.

How to Upscale Images

Upscaling Workflow:

1. Complete Editing Stage: Finalize image via AI chat edits or skip directly to Download
2. Navigate to Download Page: Click "Continue to Download" from Editing stage
3. Select Images for Upscaling: Check boxes next to images you want upscaled
4. Click "Upscale Selected": Batch upscale multiple images simultaneously
5. Wait for Processing: Upscaling takes 15-45 seconds per image
6. Download Upscaled Versions: High-res files ready for download

Batch Upscaling: Upscale multiple images in one operation—efficient for campaigns requiring 5-10 final high-res images. Select all finalized images, click "Upscale All Selected," and GRYYD processes them concurrently.

Upscaled File Naming: Downloaded files automatically append resolution indicator:

• Standard: `product_campaign_1024px.jpg`
• Upscaled: `product_campaign_2048px.jpg`

Plan Availability & Credit Costs

Credit Consumption: Each upscaling operation consumes 2-3 credits (in addition to credits used for generation and editing). Factor upscaling costs into project budgets.

Example Campaign Budget:

• Generate 4 variations: 20 credits
• AI edit 2 selected images (3 edits each): 12 credits
• Upscale 2 finalized images: 6 credits
• Total: 38 credits per draft

Cost-Efficient Strategy: Upscale only final approved images, not every variation. If you generated 10 variations but only 2 are campaign-ready, upscale those 2—don't upscale all 10.

Output Quality

Standard: 800-1024px | JPG | 200-500 KB | For digital screens Upscaled: 2048px+ | JPG | 1-3 MB | For print/large displays

AI Technology: Super-resolution models enhance edges, preserve colors, add natural texture without artifacts or "plastic" appearance

Upscaling vs Direct High-Res Generation

Why Not Generate at 2K Directly?

• Speed: Standard (1-3 min) vs High-res (5-10 min)
• Credits: Standard (4-6/variation) vs High-res (8-12/variation)
• Workflow: Generate 10 standard (30 credits, 3 min) → Upscale 2 best (6 credits) = 36 total vs Generate 10 high-res = 100+ credits, 15-20 min (wasteful)

Pro Tip: Upscale final images before client delivery. Clients often repurpose for print later—avoid last-minute regeneration requests.

See also: Pricing Plans | Download Images | AI Chat Editing | Draft Workflow