Transparency guide
PNG Transparency Explained: Alpha, JPG Backgrounds and Web Images
A transparent image is not simply an image with a white background removed. Formats such as PNG can store an alpha value that tells software how opaque each pixel should be. That extra information is why transparency survives some conversions and disappears in others.
What alpha transparency means
An RGB pixel describes red, green, and blue color. An alpha-capable format can also store an opacity value. A fully transparent pixel is invisible, a fully opaque pixel is solid, and values between them create smooth edges, shadows, and translucent effects.
Why JPG cannot keep transparency
The conventional JPG format has no alpha channel. When a transparent PNG is exported as JPG, the encoder needs actual color values for every pixel. A background therefore has to be chosen before the JPG is written.
PixDeer uses white when it creates JPG output from decoded transparent pixels, making the result predictable instead of leaving transparent areas undefined.
PNG vs WebP for transparent graphics
Both PNG and WebP can support transparency. PNG is a familiar choice for design workflows and lossless raster assets. WebP can be attractive for web delivery because it often stores similar visual content more efficiently.
Keep a transparent master
If a logo, icon, product cutout, or overlay needs transparency, keep an alpha-capable master such as PNG or the original vector artwork. Create flattened JPG copies only for destinations that need them.