Linked PSDs Showing Cuts on Edges When Placed in Main File

[SallyMedhat]

Hi everyone,

I use linked Photoshop files (not smart objects) for rollouts. I split the master visual into parts (background, logos, headline, etc.) and link those into multiple Photoshop files with different dimensions. The reason I do this is because we have over 3000 assets and sometimes I get feedback to change the color of the text or update a product.

The issue:

When we place the linked PSDs into the rollout files, some parts of the layers appear cut. Like the bottom of letters or the curve of a logo suddenly looks too sharp or trimmed. This shows both inside Photoshop and in exports.

Has anyone experiences this before and found a solution? I've searched tried many things and the linked PSD files have enough margins so they're not cropped in the links themselves.

Attached is an example. You can see the edge of the "Y" looks cropped from the bottom. I know it's minor but it's getting flagged.

[Aleke]

Hi @SallyMedhat, welcome to the community!

I gave this a try on my end but couldn’t reproduce the issue. Could you share a bit more about what’s happening? Knowing which version of Photoshop you're using and what the original linked file looks like would really help. Also, curious if this is only happening with that specific file or if you’re seeing it elsewhere too.

Thanks so much!
Alek

[SallyMedhat]

Hi @Aleke, 

Thanks so much for giving this a try.

We’ve noticed that some elements, like the edges of certain letters, are getting slightly cropped when the linked PSDs are placed into different file dimensions (see attached examples). In the screenshots, for instance, the right edge of the last “S” and the bottom of the “!” are cut off. This seems to happen across multiple files and projects when using linked PSDs. It’s a minor issue, but it’s been getting flagged.

As for the original linked files, we simply break down any key visual into multiple PSDs. We usually set these up at high dimensions (around 5000px) to ensure they scale properly across different formats without losing quality.

I’m using Adobe Photoshop 2025 (version 26.5.0).

Let me know if you need anything else from my side.

 

[Aleke]

Hi @SallyMedhat, thanks so much for following up!

As Brad mentioned, it’d be really helpful if you could share a few sample files so we can dig into this a bit more. In the meantime, a quick thing to double-check, would be to make sure you’re not placing linked files partially over the canvas edge and then repositioning them. That might cut off the edges. It might not be the case here, but if you’re using perspective warp or other transformations, Photoshop can sometimes crop the linked content based on how it handles smart object boundaries.

Appreciate your help with this!
Alek

[c.pfaffenbichler]

We usually set these up at high dimensions (around 5000px) to ensure they scale properly across different formats without losing quality.

Do the placed psds only containt the Type Layer? If so do you include any empty space/bleed on the edges of the psd? 

Could you provide one of placed images and the containing image? 

For texts and sharp graphics it might be useful to place ai instead of psd. 

[Brad @ Roaring Mouse]

Can you provide a couple of sample files? 

[Bojan Živković]

I’m starting to see a pattern. Could it be that you are placing it inside a group that has a layer or vector mask?

[Claire H.]

Hi @SallyMedhat, I'm just checking in to see if any of the suggestions helped or if you are still running into this issue? Let us know how things are going. Happy to keep troubleshooting with you if needed. Thanks! ^CH