Why do my item images look blurry?
Blurry item images almost always have one of two causes. The small preview images on the lot grid are compressed so the page loads fast, and they look softer than the full image by design. If the image still looks blurry after you click into the lot, the source file itself is low resolution, and a better source image is the fix.
Soft Preview Thumbnails on the Lot Grid Are Normal
The preview thumbnails on the lot grid are automatically compressed so the page loads quickly, even in catalogs with hundreds of lots. The compressed thumbnails look softer than the full resolution image that loads when a bidder clicks into a lot. This is expected behavior, not a setting you can change on the previews.
The platform is built mobile-first. On phone screens, where most bidders browse, the compression is not visible. It typically only becomes apparent in a browser window expanded on a large desktop monitor.
The test is simple. Click into the lot. If the full image looks sharp, your upload is fine and bidders see that sharp image when they view the lot.
If the Full Image Is Blurry, Examine the Source File
If the image still looks blurry after you click into the lot, the source file is the cause. Common sources of low resolution files are:
Product images saved from a retailer's search or grid page, for example Amazon or Target. Those pages serve small thumbnail files. Click fully into the product listing, open the image gallery viewer, and save the largest version available.
Images saved from a browser before the page finished loading them. Chrome loads a blurry placeholder first on some sites. Let the image render completely before you save it.
Photos that were resized or heavily compressed by another tool before upload.
Some retailer images are lower quality than others, so quality can vary even when you save them correctly.
The Image Size and Shape BidWrangler Expects
Images in the BidWrangler bidding platform follow a 4:3 aspect ratio, such as a 1920 x 1440 resolution. The platform automatically crops images that are larger than the 4:3 shape. Images narrower than the standard ratio still upload, and the platform fills the unused space with a background. A source image at or near 1920 x 1440 gives the platform enough data to display a sharp full-size image.
Upload images as JPG, PNG, or TIFF files. HEIC and HEIF files are not supported, so convert them before upload. The article FAQ and Troubleshooting: Adding Images to Lots in BidWrangler covers device settings and formats in detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I increase the resolution of the preview thumbnails? | No. The lot grid thumbnails are compressed automatically so the page loads quickly, and there is no setting that changes their resolution. The full resolution image shows when the bidder clicks into the lot. |
Will bidders see the blurry version? | Bidders see the same compressed thumbnails on the lot grid and the same full resolution image inside the lot. If your full image is sharp, bidders see a sharp image where it matters. Most bidders browse on phones, where the thumbnail compression is not visible. |
Why are only some of my images blurry? | Mixed results usually point to mixed sources. Photos taken with your own camera at full resolution display correctly, while images saved from retailer grid pages come in as small thumbnails. Compare where the blurry images came from and re-save those from the full product gallery. |
Does BidWrangler reduce the quality of my uploaded image? | The platform compresses the small lot grid previews only. The image shown inside the lot comes from your uploaded file. If that image is blurry, the uploaded file itself is low resolution. |
What resolution do you recommend for item photos? | A 4:3 image, such as 1920 x 1440, fits the platform without cropping or background fill. Larger images are automatically cropped to fit the 4:3 shape. |
Can support look at my auction and tell me which one it is? | Yes. Send the auction ID or a link to one of the lots to helpdesk@bidwrangler.com, and we can confirm whether the source images uploaded at full resolution. |
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If your images still look blurry after these checks, contact us at helpdesk@bidwrangler.com and we will take a look with you.