Secrets of a good screenshot for a blog and instructions

Reading time: 6 min.

The simplicity of a screenshot is amazing. It is enough to press a few buttons for another user to see visual examples and instructions. But how to take a good screenshot on your devices? Learn the secrets to choose the preferred one – screenshotter settings, uniform design and storage on the device.

What you are missing by not setting up a screenshotter

screenshots

Choosing a program for screenshots is important, as is changing the default settings. Free tools are not much different from paid ones, so the decision is up to the user. One screenshotter takes screenshots, and another creates gifs. Learn the features of the program to use the right one.

Before taking a high-quality screenshot of the screen, open the settings. Pay attention to the following points:

  1. Image format. JPEG screenshots may turn out blurry and fuzzy. This is due to the fact that the image is compressed. You can fix the problem by selecting the PNG format by default. Open the settings menu by right-clicking on the icon, and then select the preferred option.
  2. Storage location. Online screenshot makers offer to store finished pictures on an external server or your device. Uploading to FTP or saving screenshots to your PC is a reliable way to take a high-quality screenshot.
  3. Displaying the cursor. It is better to disable the option in advance than to waste time deleting an unnecessary element later. In the program settings, uncheck the box next to the item “Take a screenshot with the cursor”.

Hot keys do not apply to the screenshot program, but they are very helpful. Set the combinations that are used most often. They are easy to remember, and selecting an area of the screen will not cause inconvenience.

Screenshot design and sequence of actions

Small image sizes dictate their own conditions. Regardless of how you want to take a high-quality screenshot from a video, you need to take care to comply with these rules.

Design is the element that attracts maximum attention. In order for the recipient of the screenshot to correctly understand your tips, it is necessary to:

  1. Use similar elements. Pointers, arrows and frames should be the same color and thickness. Any differences are noticeable. The author’s inattention leads to poor communication, so you can forget about how to take a good screenshot from a computer and phone.
  2. Maintain consistency. Instructions with visual elements are a common solution when writing articles. Make sure to maintain the structure and logic of explanations in the text for screenshots. You can use numbers or indicate the sequence with arrows.
  3. Provide information in blocks. You can avoid the accumulation of a sequence by grouping instructions. Add short explanations to separate screenshots. Thanks to this, attention is not scattered, and your thoughts remain logical and understandable.

Selecting several elements on a screenshot is done in different ways. Arrows with explanations of buttons help to emphasize the action. Grouping similar elements is an effective solution for manuals, guides, and instructions.

Highlighting frames are used less often. However, elements can be grouped. Use a sequence, indicating it with arrows. If the instruction includes more than three points, break it into parts. It is difficult for a beginner to remember all the explanations, and it is not always convenient to return to the article.

Other useful tips

When you know how to improve the quality of a screenshot on a phone and PC, it is worth paying attention to small details. You can help the reader absorb information without distracting them with your mistakes. You can highlight the source of the screenshot by capturing the company logo. Avoid parts of images that are not related to the purpose of using the screenshot.

Dates, information in columns and other details should either not be displayed at all or remain legible. The absence of a part of a word will prevent the user from understanding the essence of the text, and this will affect communication. If the decision to display the logo has been made, show it in full.

Often, the emphasis shifts to those details that are completely useless. For this reason, it is important to maintain proportions and object symmetry. Align frames on the left side of the page so that the finished image looks harmonious. Do not forget to go through the files before publishing them.

Take care of the confidentiality of the data in the screenshots. The blur effect can be adjusted, and you will not have to go back and double-check. In addition, the solution using a test account is no less attractive and convenient.

The ideal result can be shown to a client, employee or friend. Listen to the advice of the pros so as not to look for the reason why the screenshot is of poor quality on the phone. The secret to good work is careful preparation, attention to detail and keeping the original files safe.

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