How to Make Two Layer Images Into One in the Pixlr Editor

Like many image editing tools, the Pixlr Editor lets you work with overlapping layers when you’re editing images. When you ultimately want to export a file and share it with someone, you may want to merge these layers into a single image.

Using Layers in the Pixlr Editor

Pixlr is a free photo editor you use online by visiting its website at pixlr.com or download as a mobile app on a smartphone or tablet. The mobile version was formerly known as Pixlr Express.

However you use the software, you’ll likely want to understand how its layer feature works, especially if you want to merge multiple photos. When you create or open a new image file in Pixlr, it creates a new, separate layer within your existing file. You can stack these layers on top of one another in any order and adjust the transparency and styles of the layers to compose them into complex images. You can even add text layers to add words and numbers to your image.

Merge Layers in Pixlr

You can’t directly merge multiple layers into one while you’re in the process of working with layers, but you can merge all the layers into a single image when you export it from Pixlr.

Export options include PNG format, which is often used on the web; JPEG format, often used for camera photos and on the web; BMP format, often used for printing but less commonly seen on the web due to the large size; or as TIFF format, a high-resolution format often used by designers but not commonly seen on the web. You can also save in a Pixlr-specific format with the .pxd extension. This preserves the layers in your files, while other formats do not.

To export a file and merge all the layers to one, go to the “File” menu, click “Save,” and choose any file format from the drop-down menu other than PXD. Choose a quality setting that matches your needs and select a location on your computer to save the file. You will see a preview thumbnail image you can use to verify your image looks as you intend.

If you want to merge several layers of a file but not all the layers, hide the unwanted layers and save the layers you’re interested in as one single file. To hide a layer, uncheck the check box next to it in the “Layers” pane.