PNG vs WebP for design exports
Use WebP for anything going on the web: it keeps transparency and is usually a third of the size. Use PNG when the file goes somewhere old, into print, or into a tool you do not control.
- Runs in your browser
- Files never uploaded
- Free to start
How to do it
- Export WebP for websites, app assets and anywhere page weight matters.
- Export PNG when handing files to a client, a printer, or a tool that may not read WebP.
- In the MeshShot web app, pick the format in the Image tab before exporting. Both keep a transparent background.
- Compare the two file sizes once on a typical asset, so you know what you are trading.
PNG is lossless and universal, which is exactly why it is large: it stores every pixel exactly, including the ones no one would miss. WebP has both lossless and lossy modes and a smarter compressor, so a render with soft shading or a gradient background often lands at a third of the PNG size with no visible difference. For a 3D render, where most of the frame is smooth gradient, the saving is usually at the larger end.
Good to know: Every current browser reads WebP, so the old compatibility argument is mostly gone. The real risk is further down the chain: some print workflows, older design tools and a few CMSs still reject it.
Questions
Does WebP support transparency?
Yes, a full alpha channel, the same as PNG.
Is WebP lossy?
It can be either. Lossy is the smaller option; lossless still beats PNG on size.
Can I convert existing Figma exports to WebP?
Yes, with the WebP Export plugin, which exports Figma layers straight to WebP.