The JPG vs PNG question comes up the moment you export a sticker. They look similar in a folder but behave very differently once LINE displays them. The short answer: stickers should almost always be PNG. This comparison explains why, and the one situation where JPG still appears. For the animated side of formats, see the PNG vs APNG reference →
JPG: small but flat
- No transparency. A JPG is always a solid rectangle — no alpha channel.
- Lossy compression. Smaller files, but edges soften, especially around text and lines.
- Great for photos. Where smooth gradients matter more than crisp edges.
PNG: sharp and transparent
- Supports transparency. The background can be see-through — essential for stickers.
- Lossless. Edges and text stay crisp.
- Slightly larger files. Worth it for quality and transparency.
Side-by-side
- Transparency: PNG yes, JPG no.
- Edge quality: PNG crisp, JPG softer.
- File size: JPG smaller, PNG larger.
- Sticker suitability: PNG ideal, JPG poor (white box).
When to use which
- Use PNG for every sticker you publish. It keeps transparency and sharp edges.
- JPG is only a source. If your starting photo is JPG, that is fine — but convert to PNG at export after clearing the background.
- Never ship a JPG sticker. The missing transparency forces a white rectangle behind your art.
Why the white box happens
LINE composites stickers onto chat backgrounds. A PNG with a transparent area lets the chat show through. A JPG has no transparency, so LINE fills the missing area with white — and your character sits in an ugly box. The fix is always: export PNG.
FAQ
Can I publish a JPG sticker?
Technically it may upload, but it will show a white box and look unprofessional. Export PNG instead.
Is PNG always better than JPG?
For stickers, yes — transparency and crisp edges matter more than file size. JPG wins only for photo storage, not sticker output.
My source is JPG; what do I do?
Use it as the source, then crop, clear the background, and export as PNG. The format at export is what counts.
What about APNG for animation?
APNG is PNG-based and also keeps transparency — use it for animated stickers. See the format reference →
Export every sticker as a clean PNG with the free LINE sticker cutter →