In this tutorial, we’ll outline the issues with creating JPEGs in Photoshop and how Adobe Bridge can streamline the process.

A Common Workflow Scenario for Photoshop Users: Multiple JPEG Exports

It’s important to take a look at one of the most common tasks that Photoshop users need to do once they’ve finished working on their PSD files. Apart from saving the file and all the hard work, Photoshop users will often need to export JPEGs of their work for printing, storage, and viewing online. More often than not, this requires creating two or more JPEG copies of various sizes. So far, so good.

But oddly enough, without creating Photoshop Actions, there’s no streamlined way to export single or multiple PSD files within Photoshop itself. No matter which method you prefer, there are multiple steps required to export every single time a new JPEG is required. Let’s take a look at the two most common ways Photoshop users export JPEGs.

1. Using “Save As”

The good old Save As option is one of the most common ways beginners and advanced users alike may choose to create their JPEGs. But it involves multiple steps. Here’s the workflow:

You have to go to Save As in the menu or use the keyboard shortcut [Shift + Ctrl + S]. You may have to change the file name. Choose JPEG in the drop-down menu. Click Save. When the JPEG options box pops up, you may have to change the options as needed, and then click OK.

Now, imagine having to do this for 50 files, and you need two or more JPEG versions!

2. Using “Export As”

The Export As feature is the more advanced way to create JPEGs, but it still comes with a surprising number of steps, depending on the options selected. We won’t walk you through all the possibilities yet again, but it’s worth noting that Photoshop users are still looking at up to five or more steps using this method.

Adobe Bridge to the Rescue

Adobe Bridge makes it easy to export JPEGs using its Workflow feature. Bridge allows users to create customized settings using Workflow, much like Photoshop Actions, that allow you to export JPEGs at their original full resolution sizes in just three easy steps. Plus, Workflow allows you to create JPEG exports for as many sizes as you need.

How does it work? After creating a Workflow for each JPEG size, all you have to do is drag the Photoshop file to the appropriate Workflow and then click on Start Workflow. Let’s see how it works.

How to Create a Full Resolution JPEG Export in Bridge

Don’t be discouraged by the number of steps required to set up JPEG exports. You’ll only have to ever create one Workflow for each size. Then you’ll follow the same few easy steps whenever you need to export JPEGs from Photoshop.

Let’s get started…

Select Workflow at the top of the menu in Bridge. Select Create New Workflow in the left-side menu. Select Batch Rename. Go to the Workflow Preset Name menu. In the Preset Name field, change the name to Large JPEG. Click Save. You’ll see the new setting in the Workflow menu. Go to the Workflow Saving Options menu. In the Save To field, choose Original File Location (or to any other location if you don’t want copies saved with your original PSD file). Uncheck the Save To Subfolder Named option. Go to the Task Details menu. Click the Text field and change it to Current File Name. In the other Text field, type _LG. In the Preset Name menu, click the Save icon. Change the text to Large JPEG. Select the + icon in the center panel and choose Change Format. Go to the Task Details menu. Change Format to JPEG. Change Image Quality to 12. Click Save.

To show off those wonderful JPEGS, you can use Lightroom’s Album-sharing feature for personal use and for your clients.

How to Create Other JPEG Sizes for Export in Bridge

Bridge allows you to create smaller JPEGs for optimal viewing on the web. Many of the steps are repeated so the only details you have to keep in mind are the actual new dimensions that you want to enter and the naming conventions. Otherwise, the process is pretty much the same for creating a new Workflow in Bridge.

Repeat steps 1-3 in the above section. Go to the Workflow Preset Name menu. In the Preset Name field, change the name to Small Jpeg. Click Save. You’ll now see the Workflow saved next to our previous creation. Repeat steps 6-8 in the above section. In the Text field, type _SM. In the Preset Name menu, click the Save icon. The text should read as Small JPEG. Select the + icon in the center panel and choose Change Format. Go to the Task Details menu. Change Format to JPEG. Change Image Quality to 8. Click the + icon. Tick the Resize To option. In the Dimension field, enter 1200. Leave all the other options as they are. Click Save.

Presets like Workflow in Bridge are very helpful for making long and arduous tasks more manageable. In the same breath, we recommend these Photoshop plugins that are useful for street photography.

How to Use Workflow in Bridge Once You’ve Created Your JPEG Export Settings

Now that you’ve taken the time to create JPEG export settings that can be used for single or multiple PSD files, let’s see how easy it is to use. As we mentioned earlier, there are only three steps, and the last step only involves closing out of a dialogue box.

With your PSD files showing in Bridge, simply drag one or more files to the appropriate Workflow on the left. Once you drop the file(s), the Start Workflow option will be highlighted. Click on it. When the dialogue box opens, just click on Close. If you have multiple files that require some time, you’ll see the progress in real-time.

That’s all there is to it.

Adobe Bridge’s Workflow Will Save You a Lot of Time

The time that you save exporting JPEGs from Photoshop files using Bridge and its Workflow feature is significant. No Photoshop Actions are needed and no third-party apps are required. With the time you save on a more streamlined workflow, you’ll have more time to spend using your creative energies on your actual editing workflow.