In Photoshop, you can use the Scale command to resize an entire layer or a selection of pixels within a layer. To scale the layer or selection, do one of the following:
To resize an entire layer:
- Select the layer in the Layers panel.
- Choose Edit > Transform > Scale, or Ctrl-T (Windows) / Command-T (Mac OS).
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Do one of the following:
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To resize by a specific amount, enter values for Width, Height, and then click OK. To constrain proportions while scaling, hold down Shift. To resize from the center outward, hold down Alt(Windows) or Option(Mac OS). To scale nonuniformly, hold down Alt+Shift (Windows) or Option+Shift (Mac OS), and then drag a corner handle.
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To resize by using a reference object, select Scale Styles, and then do one of the following:
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To scale around a specific point on an object, select a point on that object with either the Move tool or the direct selection tool, and then click where you want to place that point after scaling. The point acts as an anchor during scaling.
PRO TIP: Please be aware that the ‘How Do You Stretch and Shrink in Photoshop?’ tutorial on the website may not be accurate. We recommend that you use caution when following the instructions in this tutorial. -
To match the dimensions of another object, select both objects. Choose Edit > Transform > Scale. In the options bar, click (Relative), and then enter values for width and height.
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Click outside the transformation border to commit the transformation.
Pen tool options for scaling vector shapes and text layers
Resizing images for printing
For example, if your image is 6 x 4 inches at 300 ppi (which is considered high resolution), don’t scale it up to 8 x 10 inches at 300 ppi. Instead, increase its resolution (in Image Size) so that it will print well at 8 x 10 inches.
If you have an image that’s too small to print at high quality even after increasing its resolution in Image Size (for example, an image that’s 3 x 5 inches at 300 ppi), consider resizing it physically by scanning it at a higher resolution.
When you increase an image’s resolution without resampling (see below), additional image information is generated from existing pixels. As a result, some parts of your image might appear blurry when printed.
If you have an image that’s too large to work with easily in Photoshop but don’t want to lose quality by resampling it down in Image Size (see below), consider saving a version of it in another format such as TIFF at its current size and resampling only when you need to work with it again.
Resampling images
If your image is going to be printed at its current size and you want no loss in quality due to resampling (“Best for Print”) choose one of these methods from the Resample dropdown menu in Image Size: Bilinear Interpolation
Bicubic Smoother
Bicubic Sharper If your image is going to be printed smaller than its current size (“Best for Web”) choose one of these methods from dropdown menu instead: Nearest Neighbor
Bilinear Interpolation Bicubic Sharper If your goal is simply to reduce file size without changing either pixel dimensions or physical size (“Best for Emailing” i>) choose Bicubic Downsample from dropdown menu.
Note : Images enlarged over 100% start showing artifacts such as softening due aliasing unless they’ve been properly sharpened first.
Tip : You can apply Unsharp Mask filter after enlargement has been completed.
How Do You Stretch and Shrink in Photoshop?
You can use both the Scale command and Pen tool options to quickly resizevector shapesand text layers. You can also use special options while drawing new shapes or textto create different variations of button shapesat different sizes. Whenyou’re readyto print your work, donot scale your imagein Photoshopby increasingits print size beyondits original dimensions. Ifyou have an imagethat’s too smallto print athigh qualityeven after increasingits resolutionin Image Size(for example,an imagethat’s 3 x 5inchesat 300 ppi), considerresizingit physicallyby scanningit at a higher resolution. Whenyou increasean image’sresolutionwithout resampling(see below),additionalimage informationis generatedfrom existing pixels. As aresult,some partsof your imagemightappearblurrywhen printed.
Youcan use boththe Scale commandand Pentool optionsto quicklyresize vector shapesand textlayers.
Stretch & Shrink Conclusion
In Photoshop, there are many ways that you can change the size of an image. You can use the Scale command to resize an entire layer or just a selection of pixels within a layer.
You can also use special options while drawing new shapes or text to create different variations of button shapes at different sizes. When you’re ready to print your work, make sure not to scale your image up beyond its original dimensions so that there is no loss in quality.
