Prepare Medium images by choosing the use case, confirming rights, removing private data, exporting a clean JPG or PNG delivery copy, adding alt text, setting the featured image and focal point, then previewing the story or publication.
A Medium-ready image is selected, lawful to use, role-specific, readable, lightly compressed, accessible, and previewed. Start with a rights-safe source, decide whether it is a story featured image, in-story visual, publication background, avatar, chart, screenshot, diagram, or social preview, then prepare the upload copy without damaging the details readers need.
Step 1: Choose The Medium Image Use Case
Label the image before resizing it. The use case may be a story featured image, in-story image, publication background/header, publication avatar/logo, chart, screenshot, diagram, or social preview visual. If the image does not help the reader understand the story or publication, remove it instead of polishing it.
Story cover
Must represent the headline and subtitle honestly in the feed.
Inline visual
Must clarify a paragraph or give evidence inside the reading flow.
Publication asset
Must support the publication identity, not pretend to be a story image.
Social preview
Must still make sense after card caching, cropping and platform differences.
Medium Pre-Publish Image Workflow Table
| Workflow step | Action | Mistake to avoid | Final check |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Choose the role | Name the image use case before resizing. | Using one export for a cover, chart, screenshot, and publication header. | The file has one clear Medium job. |
| 2. Confirm rights | Use an image you created, licensed, have permission to use, or can otherwise lawfully use. | Assuming a credit line makes copied images safe. | Source, license, or permission is documented. |
| 3. Remove private data | Blur or remove names, emails, private dashboards, account IDs, API keys, invoices, and client details. | Publishing real sensitive data inside a screenshot or chart. | No private information remains unless intentional and permitted. |
| 4. Decide on AI disclosure | Caption AI-generated or AI-assisted images when Medium's current policy requires it. | Using synthetic visuals as if they were real evidence. | The caption is visible and honest. |
| 5. Crop around the subject | Keep the main idea away from the edges and leave room for automatic cropping. | Placing faces, chart labels, or diagram arrows on the crop edge. | The subject survives mobile and desktop previews. |
| 6. Choose JPG or PNG | Use JPG for photos and rich illustrations; use PNG for screenshots, charts, diagrams, UI, and text-heavy graphics. | Converting everything to one format by habit. | The format matches the visual content. |
| 7. Resize for the role | Prepare the delivery copy for story body, featured image, publication background, avatar, or social preview. | Stretching a vertical image into a wide header. | The aspect and composition fit the surface. |
| 8. Compress lightly | Reduce file weight without damaging labels, typography, edges, or important detail. | Over-compressing screenshots and charts until they look fuzzy. | The image still reads clearly at Medium width. |
| 9. Add the image to Medium | Insert the prepared image into the story before trying to feature it. | Looking for a featured image that has not been added to the post. | The image appears in the story editor. |
| 10. Select the featured image | Use the publish flow or Shift + F when the image should represent the story. | Letting an unrelated inline image become the preview asset. | The intended cover is selected. |
| 11. Set the focal point | Use Medium's focal-point control when a specific subject should survive cropping. | Expecting the focal point to create identical crops everywhere. | The preview keeps the important subject visible. |
| 12. Preview and publish | Check title, subtitle, cover, story body, publication layout, and social preview after final edits. | Sharing before the final image and title are stable. | No crop, blur, privacy, rights, or mismatch issue remains. |
Steps 2-4: Rights, Privacy, And AI Disclosure
Do not upload private client work without permission. Remove client names, emails, addresses, private analytics, login screens, account dashboards, API keys, invoices, internal documents, and confidential details. Use sample data when showing dashboards or charts. Do not copy another Medium publication's header, logo, or visual identity.
Steps 5-8: Crop, Format, Resize, And Compress
Crop around the subject or main idea before export. JPG is usually practical for editorial photos, abstract visuals, rich illustrations, and photographic covers. PNG is usually safer for screenshots, charts, UI captures, diagrams, typography-heavy graphics, and flat illustrations. Compress after the image still reads correctly, not before.
Steps 9-11: Add The Image, Feature It, And Set The Focal Point
A Medium featured image must already be added inside the story before it can be selected. After adding the image, choose it in the publish flow or select it in the editor and press Shift + F on desktop. If the image has one important subject, use the focal point so Medium has a better cue for automatic crops.
Add Alt Text, Captions, Credits, And AI Disclosure
Alt text should tell a screen-reader user what the image contributes. It should not repeat the title or stuff keywords. Captions can explain context, credit an owned/licensed source, disclose AI-generated or AI-assisted imagery, or clarify why a chart matters. Medium's AI policy requires caption disclosure for AI-generated images, so do not hide that information in metadata or a private note.
Step 12: Review Story Preview And Publication Surfaces
Review the story body on desktop and phone width. If submitting to a publication, check that the cover fits the publication tone and that it will not create extra work for editors. For publication owners, review avatars, background image, promo blocks and section cards separately. Publication images are editorial infrastructure, not just decorative banners.
Refresh social preview cards if needed
If you change the featured image or title after sharing, social platforms may show stale data. Medium's social preview guidance points to Twitter/X Card Validator, Facebook Sharing Debugger and LinkedIn Post Inspector. Use those tools after the final version is ready.
Where to go next
FAQs About Preparing Medium Images
Check the role, rights, privacy, AI disclosure needs, crop safety, format, compression quality, alt text, caption, and preview behavior before publishing.
Add the image inside the story first, then select it in the publish flow or choose the image in the editor and press Shift + F on desktop.
Set a focal point when a face, object, chart detail, or visual idea must remain visible in automatic crops. Keep safe space around the subject as well.
Alt text should describe what the image contributes to the story. It should be concise, useful for accessibility, and not stuffed with repeated keywords.
Check the publication's visual tone, make sure the cover is rights-safe and relevant, preview the publication listing, and keep publication headers, avatars, and story covers as separate assets.
