JPG and PNG can both carry a finished text overlay, but they solve different image-format needs. JPG commonly keeps photographic files smaller through lossy compression. PNG uses lossless compression and is often chosen for graphics, screenshots and sharp edges.
What is this comparison for?
This guide helps creators, marketers and web publishers choose an input and output format before adding captions, labels or headlines. It addresses file behavior, not the wording or design of the message.
JPG strengths and limitations
JPG is practical for photographs with many tones. Repeated saving can introduce blocks or halos around high-contrast letters, so start with the clearest available source. The JPG text-overlay workflow accepts the flattened photograph but exports the finished composition as PNG.
PNG strengths and limitations
PNG preserves hard edges without lossy JPEG artifacts, which suits screenshots, diagrams, logos and lettering. Transparency may matter to some designs, but browser canvas composition and export behavior should always be tested with the actual file. Review the PNG overlay preview rather than assuming every transparency workflow is preserved.
Which format should different users choose?
| Image | Useful starting point |
|---|---|
| Natural photograph | Existing high-quality JPG may be sufficient |
| Screenshot or diagram | PNG usually protects hard edges |
| Transparent artwork | PNG, followed by an actual transparency check |
| WebP source | Use the WebP input guide; current output is PNG |
How is format choice different from text design?
Format affects compression and pixel storage. Readability still depends on size, contrast, position, outline, shadow and background treatment. A technically sharp PNG can still contain unreadable words.
What should you do next?
Use the best authorized source available, keep an untouched original, choose the destination dimensions, then add the overlay and inspect the downloaded PNG at full size.