Why can’t I send Photoshop files by email?
Layers are the stacked parts of an image. Masks, smart objects, and high resolution make files grow quickly. A project can be hundreds of MB, often 1–2 GB. Gmail does not accept attachments over 25 MB, and Outlook does not accept attachments over about 20 MB.
Shortcuts compromise the project. Flattening layers leaves a single image. Reducing its size disrupts the layout. Converting to JPEG works for viewing, not editing.
The person editing the project needs the PSD or PSB you saved.
| Sharing method | What happens | Suitable for an editable project? |
|---|---|---|
| Gmail or Outlook attachment | Attachments over 20–25 MB will not send | No |
| Flattening layers into a JPEG | Editability is lost | For viewing only |
| Adobe cloud | The file can stay intact | The recipient needs an Adobe account |
| Shared drive | The file can stay intact; access permission may be required | Use with care |
| SendGB link | PSD layers stay intact; no account needed | Suitable for delivery |
The example above is a launch handoff: the main PSD, a JPEG preview, a separate smart object, a background texture, and a short note. Vector projects are not covered on this page. To send those, see the Illustrator file guide.
Flattened images vs. layered Photoshop files
A flattened JPEG is enough to get approval for an image. If someone asks you to “change this text” the next day, you need the PSD. Include an approval copy too. Do not delete the original file.
We do not create JPEGs. If you save one, you can include it in the same transfer. The JPEG can open on the download page. PSD and PSB files cannot.
| Flattened JPEG | Unchanged PSD or PSB | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Viewing and approval | Editing and preparing for print |
| Layers and masks | Removed | Preserved |
| Size | Stays small | Hundreds of MB or several GB |
| Fits within 25 MB? | Often | No |
| What we do | We do not create the JPEG | We do not open or flatten the file |
We leave color information untouched too. Whatever is in the file is downloaded. It may look different on the recipient’s screen. We do not match displays.
Send linked images together
There are two types of smart objects. If the object is embedded in the file, no separate file is needed. If it is linked externally, Photoshop looks for that image in the folder.
| Item | Location | If missing |
|---|---|---|
| Embedded object | Inside the PSD | No separate file is needed |
| Linked image or texture | In the same folder | A missing-file warning appears when opened |
| File linked by an absolute path | On your computer | Cannot be found on the recipient’s computer; we do not repair it |
| JPEG preview | A copy you save | Only the PSD is downloaded; the PSD cannot be viewed on the download page |
| Font | On the recipient’s computer | Text may change if the font is missing; we do not embed fonts |
Keep the folder structure intact. It is preserved when the recipient downloads the entire transfer. Clicking a single file downloads only that file. It does not recreate the folder. If you have many textures, the free limit is 500 files. See the folder transfer guide for details.
Add a password for an unpublished project. Send the password separately from the link.
Is 5 GB enough for a PSD file?
For a single campaign file, 5 GB is often enough. It may not be enough for a large PSB or a folder with many textures. The PSD format has a limit of about 2 GB. Larger files use PSB. We do not set a limit on the number of projects.
| What are you sending? | Typical size | Which option is enough? |
|---|---|---|
| Flattened JPEG | A few MB | Free, no registration, up to 90 days |
| Single layered PSD | Hundreds of MB, often 1–2 GB | Free |
| PSD, textures, and an approval copy | May be several GB | Free if it fits |
| Large PSB | May exceed 5 GB | SendGB Extra, 500 GB per transfer |
| Project over 500 GB | One-time transfer | SendGB Exceed, up to 1 TB |
SendGB Extra starts at €29.90 per year. It includes 2,500 files and 1 TB of storage. SendGB Extra keeps files for up to 1 year. It suits studios that frequently send large projects.
SendGB Exceed does not require a subscription. A 1 TB transfer costs €9.99. You can send 2,500 files. The code can be used once and is valid for 1 year. The link stays available for 7 days. It is enough for an occasional very large PSB.
If you enter your email address, you receive a notification when a download starts. With email delivery, you are notified once per recipient. With link delivery, you are notified once per transfer. If the same person downloads again, no new email is sent. The notification does not confirm that the download finished.
How to send
- 1
Add your project
Add your PSD or PSB file to the upload box on the homepage. If linked images are in the same folder, add the folder too. The free limit is 5 GB total.
- 2
Send the link
Email the link to your recipient or copy and paste it into a message. Add a password before sending. Send the password separately from the link. If you enter your email address, you receive one notification when a download starts.
- 3
The recipient downloads the file
The recipient downloads from the link and does not create an account. PSD and PSB files do not open on the download page. A JPG you include can be viewed there. To edit the file, the recipient downloads it and opens it in Photoshop. Free transfers over 250 MB stay available for 7 days. Free transfers up to 250 MB stay available for up to 90 days. SendGB Extra keeps files for up to 1 year.
What happens to your file?
- We leave the file untouched. Layers, masks, and embedded objects are not flattened.
- PSD and PSB files are not converted to JPEG. Color information stays intact too.
- Linked images in the same folder are sent together. Downloading everything preserves the folder structure.
- If you enter your email address, you receive one notification when someone starts downloading.
What we don’t do
- We do not open files in Photoshop. We do not repair missing links or embed fonts.
- PSD and PSB files do not open on the download page. You add a JPG or PNG preview copy yourself.
- An image linked using an absolute path on your computer may still be missing on the recipient’s computer.
- A download notification does not confirm that the download finished. If the same person downloads again, no second email is sent.
Frequently asked questions
Are layers flattened during transfer?
No. SendGB does not open the file in Photoshop. Layers, masks, and objects embedded in the file stay intact. Flattening leaves a single image. You can no longer edit the individual elements. We do not do that.
Are PSD and PSB files sent the same way?
Yes. Both are downloaded unchanged. PSD has its own limit of about 2 GB. Larger projects are saved as PSB files. That is Photoshop’s limit, not ours. PSB files are not reduced in size either.
How do I get around Gmail’s 25 MB attachment limit?
Do not attach the PSD to your email. A layered file exceeds this limit. Create a transfer and paste the short link into Gmail. The file is not part of the message.
Should I include a JPEG for approval?
The person editing the file needs the PSD. Someone who only needs to view it may only need a JPEG. You can include both. We do not create the JPEG. You save it and add it to the same transfer. The JPEG can open on the download page. The PSD cannot.
Will linked images be missing?
An embedded object is inside the file and does not need to be sent separately. Put externally linked images in the same folder. When the recipient downloads the entire transfer, the folder structure stays intact. If an image is linked using an absolute path on your computer, it may still be missing on the recipient’s computer. We do not repair that link. See how folders are sent in the [folder transfer guide](/send-large-files/send-folders-without-zipping).
Does the recipient need an Adobe account?
Not to download. No account, app, or SendGB registration is needed either. Editing layers requires Photoshop or another program that can open layers. Not every viewer displays them. We do not open the file.
Are fonts and colors preserved?
We leave the file’s color information untouched. It may look different on the recipient’s screen. We do not match displays. A text layer may change if the font is missing on the other computer. You need to put the font in the folder or convert the text to shapes before sending. We do not embed fonts.
Why are Photoshop files so large?
Because of layers, masks, and high resolution. A single project can be hundreds of MB, often 1–2 GB. Several projects and textures can approach 5 GB. We do not guarantee how many projects will fit. The limits apply to total size and file count, not project count. Free transfers are limited to 500 files.
Will I be notified when the recipient starts downloading?
Yes, if you enter your email address. With email delivery, you are notified once per recipient. With link delivery, you are notified once per transfer. The notification tells you the download has started. It does not confirm that the download finished. If the same person downloads again, no new email is sent. If you send a link without entering your email address, you will not receive a notification.
Which option should I choose if 5 GB is not enough?
A single campaign PSD often fits within 5 GB. Free transfers over 250 MB stay available for 7 days. Free transfers up to 250 MB stay available for up to 90 days. A large PSB or many linked files require SendGB Extra: 500 GB per transfer, 2,500 files, 1 TB of storage, starting at €29.90 per year. SendGB Extra keeps files for up to 1 year. For a single project over 500 GB, SendGB Exceed is enough: no subscription, €9.99 for a 1 TB transfer, 2,500 files, and a single-use code valid for 1 year. The link stays available for 7 days.
Send a download link, not a Photoshop email attachment
A layered PSD may fit within 5 GB. Send a larger PSB with SendGB Extra, up to 500 GB, or with SendGB Exceed, up to 1 TB in a single transfer.
Start sending