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Convert PSD to JPG on Mac: 3 Methods

Export PSD to JPEG on Mac with Preview or your design app, then batch resize. Keep the PSD master; deliver flattened JPEG proofs.

By Petr Samokhin

The client portal accepts JPEG, not PSD. Marketing needs a flattened proof. Developers want an asset, not a 400 MB layered file. Keep the PSD master in the design repo. Export JPEG copies at the right width and quality. Local export keeps unreleased campaign layers off online converters.

Keep the PSD master

FileRole
PSDEdit master, layers, smart objects
JPEGClient proof, web, email, CMS
PNGWhen transparency still matters

Never overwrite PSD when exporting JPEG. Never deliver PSD unless the contract requires editable layers. Flatten or merge visible layers in your design app when the JPEG must match the approved comp.

For general PNG to JPEG after export: PNG to JPG on Mac . For camera RAW: RAW to JPG on Mac .

Method 1: Export JPEG from Preview

Best for: One or two proofs when Preview reads the PSD correctly.

  1. Open the PSD in Preview.
  2. File → Export… → JPEG.
  3. Set Quality. Save to deliverables/jpeg/ with a new name.
  4. Optional: Tools → Adjust Size… to display width before export.

Check at 100% zoom. Complex PSD files with unsupported features may look wrong in Preview. Flatten a copy in your design tool first when colors or fonts shift. Photos is not a reliable PSD reader.

Limitation: No folder batch of PSD files in one click.

Method 2: Flatten in your design app, then batch

Best for: Twenty comps that need a consistent flatten before conversion.

  1. In Photoshop, Affinity, or your editor, flatten or export visible layers to PNG or JPEG.
  2. Convert PNG folders with sips or FFmpeg when needed:
mkdir jpg-out
for f in flattened/*.png; do
 sips -s format jpeg -s formatOptions 85 "$f" --out "jpg-out/$(basename "${f%.png}").jpg"
done

Resize and convert:

sips -Z 1920 -s format jpeg -s formatOptions 85 hero.png --out hero-1920.jpg

Convert CMYK comps to sRGB in the editor before web delivery.

Limitation: You own the editor export settings and any Terminal loops.

Method 3: Resize JPEG proofs in GetCompress

Best for: Fifty exported proofs that need the same width and quality before upload.

GetCompress does not read layered PSD files. Flatten first (Method 1 or 2), then:

GetCompress image settings for JPEG quality and max width on exported PSD proofs
  1. Drop the exported JPEG folder into GetCompress .
  2. Set max width (often 1920 px) and quality (for example High or Medium).
  3. Preview small text, then export.
  4. Save a preset such as “client JPEG 1920 high”.

Image jobs use quality and dimensions, not an exact target file size.

Which method should you use

SituationStart here
One simple PSDPreview
Complex layers / CMYKDesign app flatten, then batch
Many proofs, same delivery sizeGetCompress

More image cleanup: how to compress images on Mac .

Layer and color checks

IssueFix
Wrong fontsOpen in design app, flatten, re-export
Huge JPEGResize to display width
Banding in gradientsHigher JPEG quality, or PNG first
CMYK colors look wrong on webConvert to sRGB in the editor
Smart object mismatchFlatten in the design app first

Spot-check text smaller than 14 px on a standard monitor after export.

When Preview alone is enough

Preview can finish a single simple PSD that already looks correct flattened.

GetCompress fits when you often get a folder of JPEG proofs that need consistent delivery sizing. It does not replace Photoshop, Affinity, or Pixelmator for editing. Keep PSD masters on project storage; write JPEG deliverables elsewhere.

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