Choosing Between Image-Based and Image/Live Text Hybrid Emails

When you place an email order with Easy Emails, one of the questions we'll ask you before we begin is whether you want an image-based email or an image/live text hybrid email.

Let’s quickly break down what each option means (with examples) so you can choose the one that’s right for your needs.

Image-Based Emails

What It Is: An image-based email is an email that’s created as a single image. All the text, graphics, and buttons are part of this image.

Pros:

Design Control: You get perfect visual consistency across all email clients. What you see in the design is exactly what your recipients will see.
Creative Diversity: There are no limitations on what can be placed around or behind the text, allowing for maximum creative freedom in design. This enables more dynamic and visually appealing emails.
Easy Implementation: Simply upload the image to your Email Service Provider (ESP), and you’re good to go.

Cons:

Accessibility: If the recipient’s email client blocks images by default, the email might not display as intended. The text won’t be readable until the images are allowed.

Check out this example of an image-based email to see how all the elements are perfectly integrated into a single image:

Image/Live Text Hybrid Emails

What It Is: An image/live text hybrid email combines images with some live text that is built in the ESP separately. The live text is selectable, searchable, and can be read by screen readers.

Pros:

Accessibility: The text remains visible even if images are blocked, making the email accessible to more recipients.
Faster Load Times: Since the email isn’t reliant 100% on images, it typically loads faster.

Cons:

Setup Complexity: Building a hybrid email in your ESP takes a bit more time because you’ll need to configure text boxes and ensure everything aligns correctly.
Design Limitations: The designer cannot place any design elements around or behind the live text, which limits the overall design flexibility. This can result in a simpler, less visually dynamic email compared to an image-based email.

Take a look at this hybrid email example to see how live text is combined with images, and notice the difference in design options around the text:

Making Your Decision...

When choosing between an image-based email and an image/live text hybrid email, consider your campaign goals and how much time you have for setup.

Go with an Image-Based Email if: You want a design that’s quick to implement and guarantees perfect visual consistency with full creative freedom.
Choose a Hybrid Email if: Accessibility and faster load times are more important, and you’re okay with simpler design elements around the text.
We've worked with both and seen both perform well. Our preference is the image-based email, due to the design freedom and quick production.

Ready to Order?

Now that you know the difference, you can confidently choose the email type that best fits your needs. Whether you’re looking for a visually striking image-based email or a more accessible hybrid design, Easy Emails has got you covered.