Tips on optimal image specifications for logos, banners, featured and inline images.
Adding your own images is a great way to bring your brand and personality into your newsletters. Of course, you always have the Axios Visuals library, Unsplash Stock Photo library, and the AI image generator at your disposal, but here are our optimal import specs for your banners, logos, and image uploads.
Table of Contents:
1. Wide Logo
We recommend a 4:1 ratio for all wide logo uploads. These are added on the Series settings tab for each newsletter series in the Design section. You can also upload a banner directly in your intro card.
Optimal Specs:
- 800×200 px
- 72 ppi
- PNG file type
- Less than 1 MB
Acceptable Specs:
- 400×100 px — a smaller file size and lower quality when zoomed in
- 1600×400 px — a larger file size and higher quality when zoomed in
- JPG file type
2. Square Logo
We recommend a 1:1 ratio for all square logo uploads. To apply the same logo to each new edition, upload your logo in the Series Settings > Design tab. To apply a different logo to a specific edition, upload your logo directly in the logo section in the intro card.
Optimal Specs:
- 800×800 px
- 72 ppi
- PNG file type
- Less than 1 MB
Acceptable Specs:
- 400×400 px — a smaller file size and lower quality when zoomed in
- 1600×1600 px — a larger file size and higher quality when zoomed in
- JPG file type
3. Banner
Banners must have an exact 4:1 aspect ratio and be less than 2.5 MB in file size. To apply the same banner to each new edition, upload your banner in the Series Settings > Design tab. To apply a different banner to a specific edition, upload your banner directly in the banner section in the intro card.
Note: Animated gifs are supported if they are uploaded in a 4:1 ratio and not cropped. Cropping will transform the animated gif to a still png image.
Optimal Specs:
- 2400×600 px
- 72 ppi
- PNG file type
Acceptable Specs:
- 1600×400 px
- 800×200 px — a smaller file size and lower quality when zoomed in
- JPG or GIF file type
4. Featured Image
Featured images are uploaded within the editor for each card, immediately following your card headline and above your content. These span the full width of your card and newsletter and are a great way to break up large blocks of text. These can also be saved to your Uploads tab to be accessed again later by checking the “Save to Uploads” box on your upload screen.
We recommend a 5:3 aspect ratio for featured images. For a thinner, banner-like image, we recommend using an 8:1 aspect ratio.
Optimal Specs:
- 1000×600 px
- 72 ppi
- PNG file type
- Less than 1 MB
GIF and JPG file types will also work. For every featured image, keep in mind the following resolution guidelines:
- Minimum 72 ppi
- Maximum 300 ppi
- Less than 20 MB
5. Inline Image
For inline images, any ratio or dimension will work, and you can resize and center-align them in the body of each card. Inline images are also a great way to add multiple images per card.
Optimal Specs:
- PNG file type
- Minimum resolution 72 ppi
- Maximum resolution 300 ppi
- Less than 1 MB
GIF and JPG file types will also work.
6. Image Collage
You can create an image collage and use it as the featured image or include it within the text of a card. You have two image collage options to choose from: side by side or a 2x2 grid.
Image dimensions:
- For the side by side, aim for 296px by 296px or a 1:1 width-to-height ratio.
- For the 2x2 grid, aim for 298px by 170px or a 7:4 width-to-height ratio.
Pro-tip: Use the cropping tool to resize your image to 1:1 or 7:4 ratio. (See gif above)
7. FAQ
Can I layer text on top of an image inside Axios HQ?
While HQ offers the option to include a caption below the image, we do not currently support text overlay for images. Please create these images in a design tool like Canva, Figma or Photoshop and upload the new graphic to HQ.
Can I add alt text to my images?
Yes, but only for AI generated images, featured images and inline images that you upload yourself inside an edition. Logos, banners, Axios visuals and stock photos do not support alt text. When you upload an image, you'll see a field to add descriptive alt text.
Why is my image getting cropped in the banner or featured slots?
Images in the banner and featured image slots have fixed aspect ratios and may be automatically cropped to fit the layout. If your image doesn’t match the recommended dimensions (e.g., 2400×600px for a card banner), the platform will center-crop it to preserve the layout integrity.
To avoid important content being cropped, make sure your key visuals are centered, and follow the size guidelines listed in the article.
My file is being blocked for security reasons, what can I do?
Certain image files can contain transparency, metadata, or unsupported formatting that may trigger security blocks during upload. This is most commonly seen when a file includes nonstandard encoding.
- On macOS (Preview) or Windows (Photos/Paint):
- Export the image in a different format (e.g., PNG → JPG or vice versa)
- When saving as PNG, uncheck “Alpha” if available
- Try resizing the image slightly to regenerate the file structure
- Try re-exporting your image from a design tool (e.g. Canva, Photoshop, Illustrator, Figma) using the following best practices:
- Use “Export” or “Save for Web” — avoid “Save As”
- Uncheck “Alpha” or any transparency settings
- Avoid embedding color profiles
- Remove metadata embedding
- Choose PNG-24 instead of PNG-8 for PNG files
- Set GIFs to loop forever and limit colors (max 256)
Canva images that use elements with transparency are especially affected. Consider stripping your files down to standard elements like simple backgrounds, texts and photos.
My file is being blocked because of size restrictions, what can I do?
If you receive an error indicating the size of your banner is incorrect, double check the dimensions of your saved image by opening it on your computer (separate from HQ) and looking at the properties.
- On a Mac, click the Inspector button on the toolbar to pull up General Info and find the Image Size.
- On a PC, right click your image and select Properties. In the window that opens, navigate to the Details tab to find the Dimensions.
Occasionally, an image will save one pixel over or under the necessary spec. This can be fixed by adjusting your image settings when saving the image, or compensating for the discrepancy by intentionally adding or removing a pixel at the time of the save!
What are the copyright limitations for images used in HQ?
Image rights depend on where the image comes from. When you add an image to a communication in HQ, keep these guidelines in mind:
Axios visuals & Unsplash images
-
Axios-provided visuals and the Unsplash images are approved for use only inside your HQ communications, including:
Emails sent through HQ
Associated web editions hosted by HQ
-
These images should not be downloaded or reused in other channels, such as:
Blog posts or website pages outside HQ
Social media, ads, or other marketing assets
If you’d like to use an image in other places, you’ll need to obtain appropriate rights or licensing separately.
AI-generated images
Copyright and ownership rules for AI-generated content are still evolving in many countries.
As a result, you should not assume that all AI-generated images are automatically free to use anywhere.
If you use AI-generated images in HQ communications, your organization is responsible to ensure the content doesn't infringe on anyone's rights (for example, real people, brands, or copyrighted characters).
Images your team uploads to HQ
Any images that you or your teammates upload into HQ are not reviewed or licensed by Axios HQ.
-
Your organization is responsible for:
Making sure you have the necessary rights and permissions (e.g., licenses, model releases, internal approvals)
Using those images in accordance with your own company policies and any third-party licenses