> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.chatvideopro.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.chatvideopro.com/features/image-generation/image-upscaling.md). # Image Upscaling {% embed url="" %} {% hint style="info" %} **Upscale last.** Fix composition, prompt accuracy, text, faces, product shape, background removal, and image edits first. Then upscale the version you actually want to keep. {% endhint %} *** ### What This Tool Is For Use Image Upscaling when you want to: * Increase the resolution of a generated image. * Make a final thumbnail background or subject cutout larger. * Prepare an image for client review, web use, print, or a higher-resolution edit. * Improve a low-resolution image that is otherwise useful. * Create a cleaner final still after Image-to-Image, Canvas Editor, or Background Removal. * Enhance a source frame before using it in a video workflow. Use a different workflow when: | You want to... | Use instead | | ------------------------------------ | ------------------------------- | | Upscale video | Studio Upscale | | Fix composition, style, or content | Image-to-Image or Canvas Editor | | Create a new image | Text-to-Image | | Create a cinematic video-ready still | Studio Cinematic Lab | | Remove a background before upscaling | Background Removal | ***
### How To Use It 1. Start with a generated or uploaded image. 2. Click **Transform** on the image thumbnail. 3. Choose an image upscaling model. 4. Choose the scale factor or model-specific settings. 5. Generate the upscale. 6. Review the result before using it in your final project. You can also ask in natural language: ``` Upscale this image. ``` ``` Make this higher resolution. ``` ``` Enhance the quality of this image. ``` Chat Video Pro can detect the upscaling intent and route the image to an upscaling model. *** ### Image Upscaling vs. Studio Upscale Image Upscaling and Studio Upscale solve the same kind of problem for different media.
NeedUse
Higher-resolution still imageImage Upscaling
Higher-resolution transparent PNG cutoutImage Upscaling
Higher-resolution thumbnail, product image, or key artImage Upscaling
Higher-resolution generated or imported videoStudio Upscale
Higher-resolution clip after Add Effects, Reshoot, or RotoscopeStudio Upscale
The practical rule: **Image Upscaling is for stills. Studio Upscale is for video.** ***
### Choosing An Image Upscaler Start with the source image and the problem you are solving. | If you need... | Try... | | ----------------------------------------------- | --------------------- | | Best general quality and control | Topaz Image Upscaler | | Fast, crisp, simple enhancement | Recraft Crisp Upscale | | Restoration for compressed or real-world images | Swin2SR Restore | #### Topaz Image Upscaler Topaz is the most flexible image upscaler. Use it when: * You want a reliable professional upscale. * You need 1.5x, 2x, 3x, or 4x scaling. * You are working with portraits, faces, product shots, or final stills. * You want JPEG or PNG output. * You want face enhancement. Useful Topaz modes include:
ModeUse when
Standard V2You want the safest general-purpose upscale.
High Fidelity V2The image is already good and you want to preserve detail.
Low Resolution V2The source image is small or soft.
Text RefineThe image contains text or signage.
Recovery / Recovery V2The image is compressed, damaged, or low quality.
CGIThe image is synthetic, graphic, or computer-generated.
#### Recraft Crisp Upscale Recraft Crisp Upscale is a simple detail-focused option. Use it when: * You want a fast, clean upscale. * You do not need many settings. * The image is already good and just needs more crispness. * You want a straightforward finishing pass after generation. #### Swin2SR Restore Swin2SR is useful for restoration-style tasks. Use it when: * The image is compressed. * The source is a real-world photo that needs repair. * You want to compare a restoration pass against Topaz. * The image needs super-resolution rather than a purely crisp upscale. Swin2SR exposes task modes like Classical SR, Compressed SR, and Real-World SR. *** ### Scale Factor Guide Choose the smallest scale that solves the delivery problem.
ScaleUse when
1.5xYou need a small boost and want to avoid over-processing.
2xYou want the safest default upscale.
3xYou need a larger output but the source is already clean.
4xYou need maximum size or are preparing a very small image for larger use.
More scale is not always better. A 4x upscale can make artifacts, bad text, strange hands, or noisy edges more obvious. If the source image has problems, fix those before upscaling. *** ### Common Workflows #### Final Generated Image Upscale 1. Generate or edit the image until the composition is approved. 2. Click **Transform**. 3. Choose Topaz or Recraft. 4. Use 2x for a normal finish, or 4x when you need a larger output. 5. Review the result at full size. Best for final stills, social graphics, and image assets. #### Thumbnail Finishing Pass 1. Create the thumbnail image or background. 2. Make sure faces, text areas, subject cutouts, and composition are right. 3. Upscale after the design direction is approved. 4. Add final title text manually if exact typography matters. Best for YouTube thumbnails and social cover images. #### Product Or Portrait Cutout Upscale 1. Use Background Removal to create the cutout. 2. Check the edges. 3. Upscale the approved cutout. 4. Place it into the final design or Premiere project. Best for ads, product graphics, creator thumbnails, and overlays. #### Restoration Pass 1. Upload the low-resolution or compressed image. 2. Try Topaz Recovery V2 or Swin2SR. 3. Compare outputs. 4. Use the cleaner result as the new source. Best for old images, screenshots, compressed web images, and rough client-provided assets. *** ### Best Practices #### Do Creative Work First Upscaling should not be used to rescue a bad image. If the subject, lighting, text, product shape, or composition is wrong, fix those first. #### Inspect The Result At Full Size Zoom in and check faces, hands, text, logos, product edges, hair, and transparent cutout edges. Upscaling can improve detail, but it can also reveal problems. #### Use PNG When Transparency Or Quality Matters Use PNG for transparent cutouts, design assets, and files you plan to composite further. Use JPEG when file size and compatibility matter more. #### Avoid Repeated Upscaling Do not upscale the same image again and again unless you are intentionally testing. Repeated upscales can create artificial texture and artifacts. #### Keep A Copy Of The Pre-Upscale Image Save the approved source before upscaling. If the upscaled version introduces artifacts, you can rerun with a different model or scale. *** ### Troubleshooting #### The Image Looks Sharper But Not Better Upscaling adds resolution, but it does not automatically fix weak composition, bad anatomy, poor text, or an unclear subject. Return to Image-to-Image, Canvas Editor, or Text-to-Image first. #### Faces Look Strange Try Topaz with face enhancement, use a lower scale factor, or improve the source portrait before upscaling. #### Text Still Looks Wrong Use GPT Image 2 or Canvas Editor before upscaling if the text is part of the image. For final thumbnails or graphics, add exact text manually after the image is upscaled. #### Edges Look Rough On A Transparent Cutout Check the cutout before upscaling. If the alpha edge is bad, rerun Background Removal or clean the cutout before increasing resolution. #### Upscaling Takes Too Long Use a smaller scale, try Recraft Crisp Upscale, or upscale only the final selected image instead of every draft. #### I Need To Upscale A Video Use Studio Upscale. Image Upscaling only works on still images. *** ### Related Pages * [Image Generation](/features/image-generation.md) - Create and edit still images. * [Supported Image Models](/features/image-generation/supported-image-models.md) - Choose an image model before upscaling. * [Text-to-Image](/features/image-generation/text-to-image.md) - Generate a new still. * [Image-to-Image](/features/image-generation/image-to-image.md) - Fix or edit an image before upscaling. * [Background Removal ](/features/image-generation/background-removal.md)- Create transparent image cutouts. * [Thumbnail Mode](/features/image-generation/thumbnail-mode.md) - Build thumbnail-focused images. * [Studio Upscale](/features/image-generation/image-upscaling.md) - Upscale video clips. *** **Next:** Use Thumbnail Mode for thumbnail-focused images, or Studio Upscale when the source is video.