A blurry or pixelated image can ruin an otherwise great design. This happens most often on large formats like print, displays or high-resolution banners, or when the image comes from a source you don't control, such as a product feed or user-submitted content.
AI Upscale enhances your images directly in the Design Builder. You pick the AI model that fits your image, choose how much to increase the resolution, and compare the result with the original before applying it. You can also save your settings as an AI action. Every new image used in your design's variations will then be upscaled automatically at generation, with no extra step.
When to use AI Upscale
Low-resolution source images: product photos, logos or visuals that look soft once placed in your design.
Large formats: images that look fine in a small banner but lose quality on bigger sizes.
Zooming in on a detail: use Manual mode to crop on a specific part of an image while keeping it sharp.
Automated workflows: when images come from a spreadsheet, the API or a Quick Generation Form, and you can't check each one manually.
Open the AI Upscale tool
Open your design in the Design Builder
Select an image layer
In the AI toolbar that appears at the bottom of the canvas, click Upscale
Note: The AI toolbar only appears when an image layer is selected.
The upscale settings bar opens below your image. Your remaining AI credits are shown on the right.
Choose your upscale settings
Select an AI model
Click the model selector, on the left of the settings bar, to open the list of available models. Each model is designed for a different type of image and costs a different number of AI credits.
Model | Best for |
SeedVR | Fast, low-cost upscaling for everyday use |
Topaz Precision | Faithful photo upscaling that stays true to the original |
Crystal Upscaler | Enhancing faces and portraits |
Bria Increase Resolution | Any image, including images with a transparent background |
Which model should I choose?
For quick, everyday upscales or large volumes of generations, start with SeedVR.
For product photos or visuals where every detail must stay accurate, use Topaz Precision.
For images featuring people, choose Crystal Upscaler.
For PNG images with a transparent background, such as cut-out products or logos, use Bria Increase Resolution.
Set the upscale factor
Click the magnifier selector to choose how much the image resolution is increased: 1x, 2x, 3x or 4x.
For example, a 500 × 500 px image upscaled at 2x becomes 1000 × 1000 px.
Tip: Choose the lowest factor that gives you enough resolution for your largest format. Higher factors produce heavier files without any visible benefit if your design doesn't need them.
Choose Auto or Manual mode
Auto mode upscales the entire image. Use it in most cases.
Manual mode lets you focus on a specific area of the image:
Click Manual
Draw a zone on the image
Only the selected zone is kept and upscaled. The image is cropped and enlarged in a single step
This is useful to zoom in on a product detail, a face or a specific element without getting a pixelated result.
Apply to all formats
If your design has several formats, the last option controls where the upscale is applied:
On: the image is upscaled in every format of your design. This keeps your visuals consistent everywhere.
Off: the image is upscaled in the current format only. Use it when a single format needs a specific treatment, such as a Manual crop that only makes sense in one layout.
Launch the upscale
Once your settings are ready, click the purple arrow button on the right of the settings bar. The upscale starts and the AI credits are deducted from your balance.
Preview and apply the upscale
When the upscale is done, a comparison view opens so you can check the result before using it.
Compare Before / After
Drag the slider handle left and right to compare the original image (Before) with the upscaled version (After).
Use the + and − buttons on the right to zoom in. Zooming is the best way to see the difference in sharpness and fine details.
Choose what to do with the result
Apply Upscale: replaces the image in your design with the upscaled version.
Download: saves the upscaled image to your computer without changing your design.
Back arrow (bottom left): returns to the settings so you can try another model, factor or mode.
Save the upscale as an AI action for future generations
After you apply the upscale, a banner asks if you want to use this AI action when generating assets:
Save this AI action: your settings (model, factor, mode and format scope) are saved on the design. Every time a variation of the design is generated with a new image, that image is upscaled automatically with the same settings.
No thanks: the upscale only applies to the current image. Future generations use images as they are.
Every visual you generate gets the same quality, and you don't need to process images one by one.
Note: Each automatic upscale during generation uses AI credits. Make sure your balance covers the volume of assets you plan to generate.