Create Full-Screen Signage Images with Adobe Express

Questions

  • How do I create a full-screen signage image in Adobe Express?
  • How do I make a custom-size design at 1080p or 4K?
  • How do I create a portrait (vertical) image for a sideways display?
  • How do I download an Adobe Express design as a PNG or JPG?
  • What is a good alternative to PowerPoint for making signage images?

Environment

This article applies to Bowdoin faculty and staff who have access to Adobe Express through their Bowdoin Adobe account. Adobe Express runs in a web browser and is a good alternative to PowerPoint when you want more design flexibility for a full-screen signage image.

Note: You need to be signed in to Adobe Express with your Bowdoin Adobe account first. For sign-in help, see the Accessing Adobe Express article in the Related Articles section.

Resolution

Step 1: Start a custom-size design

  1. Sign in to Adobe Express in your web browser.
  2. Start a new design and choose the Custom size option.
  3. Set the units to px (pixels) and enter the width and height for the resolution and orientation you need:
Target Width (px) Height (px)
1080p landscape 1920 1080
1080p portrait 1080 1920
4K landscape 3840 2160
4K portrait 2160 3840
  1. Create the design to open the editor at that exact size.

Step 2: Design your image

  • Fill the whole canvas with your background so there are no unintended borders.
  • Add your text, images, and graphics. Keep important content away from the very edges.
  • Use large, high-contrast text so the message is readable on a display.

Step 3: Download the image

  1. Select Download.
  2. Choose the file type: PNG for text and graphics, or JPG for photographs.
  3. Save the file to your computer.

Step 4: Upload to Carousel

Once you have the image file, upload it as a full-screen image bulletin. See the Create and Publish a Bulletin in Carousel article in the Related Articles section.

Additional Help

If you need further assistance, you have several options:

  • Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
  • Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
  • In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
  • Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.

Additional Resources

 

 

AI-assisted content: This article was drafted with the assistance of an AI writing tool and reviewed by Bowdoin IT staff for accuracy.
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Related Articles (4)

Accessing Adobe Express
Explains how Bowdoin students, faculty, and staff can access Adobe Express — the college's alternative to Canva — via a web browser or on Bowdoin-issued iPads. Includes an overview of what Adobe Express can do.
Create and Publish a Bulletin in Carousel
Step-by-step instructions for creating a bulletin in Carousel Cloud from a template, adding content, choosing the zone it appears in, and publishing it to a Bowdoin digital display. Explains that content follows each department's own publishing and approval rules.
Create Full-Screen Signage Images from PowerPoint
Step-by-step instructions for creating and exporting full-screen signage images from PowerPoint at 1080p or 4K, in landscape or portrait, for upload to Carousel. Uses a slide-size method that produces exact pixel dimensions on both macOS and Windows, and explains the differences between the two versions of PowerPoint.
Digital Signage Content and Design Guidelines
Recommended specifications and design tips for content shown on Bowdoin's Carousel digital displays, including image resolution (1080p and 4K), orientation, file formats, readability, and accessibility (color contrast, text size, and motion). Helps publishers create full-screen images that look sharp and are readable by everyone.