Use JPG for photographs. Use PNG when its strengths matter.

The best format depends on image content, not a belief that one file type is always higher quality.

Choose JPG for product photography

JPEG suits continuous-tone product photos, backgrounds, shadows, and natural textures. It normally produces smaller files than PNG.

Choose PNG for hard-edged graphics

PNG preserves sharp text, flat color, and diagrams without JPEG block artifacts, but often creates a much larger file.

Be careful with transparency

Etsy accepts PNG but states that transparent PNGs are unsupported and transparent regions may appear black. Flatten onto an intentional background before upload.