How to Embed Images in Email: The Complete Guide

Using images in email marketing is just as important as picking the right words. They're like colorful breaks in a sea of text, adding value and keeping your audience engaged. As a business owner, knowing how to embed images in emails effectively can boost your campaign's success.

Want to get the most out of your email marketing efforts? It's not just about words; adding images can make a big difference! You can grab your audience's attention and boost engagement by incorporating image content blocks, catchy headings, and other visual elements. Ready to learn how to spice up your emails with images? Check out this comprehensive guide!

What Does Embedding Images in Email Mean and Why Does it Matter?

Embedding images in email means adding code so that pictures appear right in the email without the recipient needing to download them separately. They just pop up alongside the text without any extra steps.

When you embed images, people don't have to download them separately. Plus, it's safer because email providers are more likely to trust emails with embedded images, reducing their chance of being marked as “email spam.”

Also, embedding images in email speeds up page loading by compressing large graphics. We all know how frustrating it is to wait for a page to load.

However, even if images are embedded, some email clients let users block them. For example, Gmail users can set emails to block images automatically. To tackle this, you can include a "Web version" link in your email and use Alt-text for images.

Difference Between Embedding and Attaching Images in Email

When sending emails with images, digital marketers and salespeople typically use two methods: attachments and embeds. Let's compare “embed vs. attach” to provide some perspective.

• Attachments involve sending the image as a separate file along with the email. It keeps the image's original size and shape intact, which is excellent if you need to preserve the file.
• On the other hand, embeds involve sending the image directly into the email's code so that it appears automatically in the email body. How the image appears in your prospect’s email platform depends on factors like file size, location, and type.

While attachments have their place in modern email marketing, embedding images in emails gives users a better reading experience and saves them the hassle of downloading images separately, contributing to a good email design.

4 Unique Techniques for Embedding Images in Email

Here are four unique techniques to embed images in email.

Drag and drop

This method offers a simple way to add images to emails without any coding skills required.

For example, in Gmail, you can drag an image from your folder and drop it into the "attach files here" area within the compose box. Gmail will then automatically embed the image and adjust its alignment to fit seamlessly with your text.

You can also choose to keep the image's original size or have Gmail resize it for the best fit.

CID

CID (Content ID) embedding is a classic method for adding images to emails, but it's not as straightforward as it seems. Essentially, you attach an image to your email and use its content ID to place it within the email's body. However, it requires some knowledge of HTML.

The challenge with CID embedding is that it's not always reliable. Images may not display correctly across email clients, especially web-based ones like Gmail and Yahoo! Additionally, it can increase the size of your emails, potentially causing them to load slowly and annoy readers.

HTML

To embed images in HTML emails, you need to host the file on a web server instead of sending it directly in the message.

To make this work, you'll include absolute source links in your email code. These links guide your customer's email server to the file's location, linking it to the hosting site, directory, and the image file itself.

Unlike relative links, absolute links assume the server knows where to find the file. They include the full path to the file, while relative links only have the file name. Using relative links to embed images can lead to losing the file.

Check out below what an absolute source link looks like:

<img src="https://www.chamaileon.io/email/images/logo.png">

Placing these links in an email’s body ensures that whoever receives it can view your content, regardless of their device or email client (unless the email is marked as spam). Another advantage of embedding images with HTML tags is that it significantly reduces the email's size since the file is stored on a server.

Inline

Inline embedding is a pretty simple method for adding images to your emails. It's what many people think of when they think about embedding images. You don't need to know fancy coding or be a photo editing expert. With just a base64 string of your image, you can effortlessly insert it into an email using HTML.

The limitations of email design with inline embedding is that it has similar drawbacks as CID embedding. When you use inline embedding, emails become larger and more challenging to send. Moreover, some web email clients don't support CID embedding well, so some recipients might not see the embedded images. Microsoft Outlook users face even more restrictions, as CID embedding is completely blocked for them, and Outlook is one of the most widely used email clients on the web.

How Chamaileon enables users to embed images in email?

Managing HTML emails can be overwhelming, especially when you're juggling absolute links, relative links, and deciding where to host images.

But fret not! You can bid farewell to these worries with Chamaileon's WYSIWYG drag-and-drop email builder. Our platform helps you embed images effortlessly.

Embed images in HTML emails

Here’s a step-by-step process for embedding images using Chamaileon.

• Add straightforward elements, like logos or content images, to the email design.
• To insert images into your email, simply click or double-click in the email view, then choose the image you want from your content library.
• Consider adding backgrounds to images for visual consistency and to ensure visibility, especially in cases where the image may not load due to various factors like slow internet or email client settings.
• If the image is not full-width, add a background color behind it. This way, even if the image takes a while to load, your email will still look great!
• If you want a non-one-color background, add a background image to the container box behind it. Choose appropriate settings for the background image, such as position and size, to make it look just right.
• Be aware that different email clients may render background images differently. For those old-school email services, you might have to use VML images to make sure everything looks right. But with Chamaileon, you don't have to stress about writing code for these email clients. We've got your back! Chamaileon handles all the tricky stuff with background images, so your emails look great for everyone.

Moreover, Chamaileon hosts all digital documents on its servers, helping you automatically generate bullet-proof email codes that work seamlessly on all email clients.

With the preview feature, you can easily visualize your email on both desktop and mobile devices, ensuring your images look perfect on all screen sizes.

Plus, using Chamaileon, you can quickly add ALT text to images in just two clicks.

Add dynamic images using Chamaileon

A touch of personalization goes a long way! Chamaileon lets you personalize images for each recipient of your email campaign. For example, if you’re sending out conference reminders and want to include an image of each attendee or speaker in the email, all you’ve to do is add the dynamic image.

• Firstly, identify the desired image size. For example, if you have LinkedIn profile URLs with 100x100 images, adjust your placeholder size accordingly.
• Then, replace the static image URL with a merge tag corresponding to the recipient's profile ID. This merge tag will dynamically fetch the image for each recipient.
• Add styling options like border-radius and margin to the dynamic image placeholders to ensure consistency.
• With dynamic images set up, each recipient will see a personalized image in the email corresponding to their profile ID.

Following the simple steps above, you can easily add dynamic images to your email templates, enhancing personalization and user engagement.

Email Clients that Support Embedded Images in Email

Ever noticed how emails can appear differently in various email clients? It's because each email client has its own approach to handling images. Take a look at this table to see how different email clients treat images based on their embedding method.

Best Practices for Embedding Images in Email

Including images in your emails can enhance the experience for your recipients. Here are six handy tips for embedding images in emails to ensure the success of your email marketing campaigns.

Optimize image size for better delivery

Optimize your embedded images by keeping them small without compromising quality. This ensures they load quickly in your recipient's inbox. Remember, the display of your images depends on your prospect's screen size.

For best results, aim for a maximum width of 600 pixels on desktops (displaying at 320 pixels on mobile) to ensure they look great regardless of how your prospect views your email.

Select compatible image formats for email servers

Understanding your audience can be crucial when it comes to email image compatibility. For recipients using platforms like Microsoft and Gmail, sticking to JPEG, PNG, or GIF formats ensures your images are likely to be displayed. These formats are widely supported across email clients.

However, if you're embedding other file types like SVG or PSD, make sure they're properly embedded for compatibility across most platforms.

Capture attention with your image

Capturing your prospects’ attention depends on who you are targeting. Younger millennials and Gen Z might respond differently to a GIF or meme compared to other clients.

However, steer clear of unrelated stock images. Ensure your images serve a purpose, whether it's highlighting a product feature or strengthening customer relationships. Experiment with A/B testing to know what image types work wonders.

Also, before embedding images in email, ensure compliance with your email privacy policy to safeguard user data.

Don’t use images for buttons!

You want your buttons to instantly grab attention, but avoid using images. If images get blocked, your buttons disappear.

Instead, opt for a simple technique: the padding-based button. Almost every email client supports it. Just add padding to the table cell and style the button using HTML attributes and inline CSS.

ALT text for every image

When reaching out to prospects via email, it's crucial to prepare for any hiccups, like embedded images failing to load. Always craft your email content to be impactful even without images, and incorporate alt text as a backup plan.

Alt text is a brief description of an image, typically just a word or two, allowing recipients to grasp its meaning even if the image doesn't load. This not only provides context for blocked images but also enhances accessibility for visually impaired prospects, ensuring they understand your message effectively.

Test, test, test!

Before reaching out to prospects, you must thoroughly test your emails to catch any potential issues with your embedded images. Sending test messages to various email clients helps identify any errors, ensuring a smooth experience for your recipients.

Tools like MailTrap and Email On Acid are invaluable for scanning your emails and checking for deliverability, accessibility, and image validation before hitting send.

Remember, even if your embedded image looks flawless in testing, there's always a chance it could encounter problems on your prospect's platform. Therefore, including alt text and focusing on personalization and product positioning can enhance your email's effectiveness, even if the image doesn't load as expected.

Conclusion

Embedding images effectively into your email marketing strategy can significantly enhance engagement and drive better results. By following the best practices outlined in this guide, you can optimize your email campaigns for success.

From selecting the right embedding techniques to optimizing image size and ensuring accessibility, every detail matters. Remember, testing is key to ensuring a seamless experience for your recipients. So, embrace the power of visuals and watch your email campaigns thrive!

Frequently Asked Questions About Embedding Images in Email

1: How do you embed a JPEG into an email?

“Drag-and-Drop” is the most common approach to embed a JPEG image into an email. For example, Gmail will help you drag an image from a folder and then drop it in the area saying “attach files here”. Gmail automatically realigns and embeds images in line with the email’s text.

2: What is the best practice for email image size?

There are no set rules but strive for a 60/40 text-to-image balance in your emails to ensure optimal deliverability. Plus, keeping your images under 200KB helps maintain performance and engagement.

3: How can I test how different images display on the email?

To see how your images look across different email platforms, send test messages to various email clients. Tools like MailTrap and Email On Acid can assist in spotting errors before your emails reach your audience.