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How to check image properties like resolution, clipping path, transparency, color profile

Which tool to use to check these image properties. How to check if an image is GDSN compliant.

Background information

Check https://synf.co/imagetypes for background information on image types and options.

Tools

There are a number of tools which you can use to check image properties:

Adobe Photoshop is a paid tool, the other 2 are free to use.

GIMP

Check the image properties

Image size in pixels, image size in mm, resolution, color space, precision, file name, file size, file type, number of pixels, number of layers, number of channels, number of paths. 

Be aware that for TIF files, GIMP shows the flattened version of the image, NOT the layers of the TIF file.

  • Open image with GIMP
  • Go to menu 'Image' then 'Image Properties' (or use Alt + Enter)
  • Click on the tab 'Color Profile' to check the Color profile

Check the layers

  • Open image with GIMP
  • Check bottom right dialog for 'Layers'. 
    • Be aware that for TIF files, GIMP shows the flattened version of the image, NOT the layers of the TIF file.

Check the clipping path

  • Open image with GIMP
  • Check bottom right dialog for 'Paths'. 

NOTE: the Clipping path cannot be checked with GIMP for JPG files.

IrfanView

Check the image properties

File name, folder, full path, compression, resolution, original size in pixels, current size in pixels, print size in inches, original colors, current colors, number of unique colors, disk size, file date, EXIF info, IPTC info, lossless/lossy.

  • Open image with IrfanView
  • Go to menu 'Image' then 'Information' (or use 'i')

For checking WebP files make sure to have the right plugin installed in IrfanView. When this is not the case, you will be notified:

When checking the Image properties for a WebP file, the 'Compression' indicates if it's Lossy or Lossless. Check out this paragraph for more information on Lossy versus Lossless.

ExifTool

Go to the ExifTool website: https://exiftool.org/ and don't get scared about the way it looks. See below an example:

  • Download the Windows Executable and unzip it.
  • In the Windows Explorer, grab the file or folder you would like to know the meta information for and drag it on the ExifTool executable.
  • The meta information is shown like in the screenshot below. When you've dragged a folder on the executable, all files from that folder will be listed in the tool below each other.

Lossy versus Lossless

Lossy means some of the image data is thrown away to make the file smaller. The image still looks good to the human eye, but some fine details are lost, and you can't get them back later.

Think of it like:

Taking a high-quality photo, printing it, and then making a photocopy. It still looks like the original, but it's not exactly the same. Some detail is gone, but it's good enough for most uses.

This is great for:

  • Websites that want fast loading times
  • Photos where perfect detail isn’t critical

Lossless means nothing is thrown away. The image is made smaller by squeezing it efficiently, but all the original detail is still there. You could “unpack” it later and get the exact same image back.

Think of it like:

Zipping a file on your computer. When you unzip it, nothing is missing—it’s just like it was before.

This is great for:

  • Images with text or sharp lines
  • Logos or illustrations
  • When you want to keep perfect quality

In Short:

  • Lossy = smaller file, slightly reduced quality
  • Lossless = slightly bigger file, perfect quality