Use this workflow before publishing: choose the Ghost image role, confirm rights, remove private data, crop for the theme, export a clean delivery copy, add alt text and captions, review metadata, then preview the post, newsletter, and social cards.
A Ghost-ready image is not just smaller. It is relevant, lawful to publish, privacy-safe, readable, role-specific, lightly compressed, and checked in the active Ghost theme. Prepare the delivery copy after you know whether the image is a feature image, image card, gallery item, screenshot, chart, newsletter image, or social card.
Ghost CMS Image Workflow Table
| Ghost image stage | Preparation move | Failure prevented | Preview evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Choose the image role | Label the visual as feature image, image card, gallery item, screenshot, chart, author image, tag image, newsletter image, or social card. | Using one export for every Ghost surface. | The image has one clear job. |
| 2. Confirm rights | Use images you created, licensed, have permission to use, or can lawfully publish. | Assuming a credit line fixes copyright risk. | Source, license, or permission is documented. |
| 3. Remove private data | Redact names, emails, dashboards, account IDs, API keys, invoices, login screens, and client details. | Publishing private screenshots or real internal analytics. | No confidential information is visible. |
| 4. Crop around the subject | Leave safe space around the important subject and crop for the active theme. | Placing a face, interface label, or chart title on the crop edge. | Theme cards, headers, and social previews keep the subject. |
| 5. Choose JPG, PNG, GIF, or WebP | Use JPG for photos, PNG for screenshots and diagrams, GIF for meaningful short motion, and WebP where supported. | Choosing one format by habit. | The format protects the content readers inspect. |
| 6. Resize for the role | Export a delivery copy for feature image, image card, gallery, screenshot, or metadata use. | Stretching a small or vertical image into a wide theme header. | The image fits the expected placement. |
| 7. Compress carefully | Reduce file weight without damaging text, labels, edges, or illustration detail. | Over-compressing UI, charts, diagrams, or typography-heavy graphics. | The image remains readable at mobile width. |
| 8. Upload through the right Ghost field | Use feature image settings, image card, gallery card, author/tag image, or metadata image as appropriate. | Putting a social card image into the post body by mistake. | The image is in the correct Ghost surface. |
| 9. Add alt text and captions | Describe the image purpose and add captions, credits, or context when useful. | Keyword stuffing or hiding important meaning only in the image. | Alt text and caption help real readers. |
| 10. Review metadata and previews | Check excerpt, metadata, X card, Facebook card, homepage card, mobile post, and email preview. | Publishing before the preview image and title are stable. | No crop, blur, rights, privacy, or mismatch issue remains. |
Step 1: Choose The Ghost Image Use Case
Start with the use case before resizing. Feature images represent the article across the theme and metadata. Image cards support a paragraph. Galleries group related visuals. Screenshots and charts explain specific details. Author, tag, and site images support identity. Newsletter and social images need preview-safe crops.
Steps 2-3: Rights And Privacy Checks
Do not upload private client work unless permission is granted. Remove personal data, confidential dashboards, account screens, API keys, internal documents, invoices, and unauthorized logos. Use sample data when showing dashboards or charts. Do not copy another Ghost publication's header, logo, or visual identity.
Steps 4-7: Crop, Format, Resize, And Compress
Crop from the original source so the subject survives theme cards and social previews. JPG is often practical for feature photos and editorial illustrations. PNG is safer for screenshots, UI captures, charts, diagrams, typography-heavy graphics, and flat illustrations. WebP can be useful when your Ghost editor or theme workflow supports it. Compress after the image still reads clearly.
Steps 8-10: Upload, Add Context, And Preview
Upload the image through the correct Ghost field or card. Add alt text that explains the image purpose, not keyword stuffing. Add a caption when the image needs context, a credit, or a note about sample data. Then preview the post page, homepage card, mobile view, newsletter email, X card, and Facebook card.
Where To Go Next
FAQs About Preparing Ghost Images
Check the image role, rights, private data, crop, format, compression quality, alt text, caption, metadata, theme card, mobile preview, email preview, and social card.
Use a clean source image, crop with safe space around the subject, export a delivery copy, upload it as the feature image, then preview the post header, homepage card, archives, and social metadata.
Remove private data, crop to the relevant area, use PNG when text and UI edges matter, and explain the screenshot in nearby text.
Alt text should describe what the image contributes to the post. Keep it concise and useful, and avoid stuffing repeated keywords.
Preview the post page, homepage or index card, tag/archive card, mobile layout, email newsletter, excerpt, metadata, X card, and Facebook card.
