How to Take Better Screenshots: Tips for Professional Results

Great mockups start with great screenshots. No amount of fancy frames can fix a messy source image.

Here's how to capture screenshots that look professional from the start.

Before You Capture

Clean Up Your Screen

Hide browser clutter:

• Close unnecessary tabs
• Hide the bookmarks bar
• Disable browser extensions (or hide their icons)
• Clear the URL bar of personal info

Clean up your UI:

• Dismiss notifications
• Close chat widgets
• Hide debug tools
• Remove any personal data

Use Realistic Data

Nothing says "fake" like Lorem ipsum and John Doe.

Instead of:

• "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet"
• "John Doe"
• "123 Main Street"
• "$0.00"

Use:

• Real-sounding text that matches context
• Realistic names (Sarah Chen, Marcus Johnson)
• Plausible addresses and data
• Believable numbers

The extra 5 minutes spent on realistic data makes a huge difference.

Set Up the Right View

Focus on what matters:

• Show the most impressive feature
• Crop to the relevant area
• Don't try to show everything at once

Consider the story:

• What should viewers notice first?
• What action are you demonstrating?
• What value are you communicating?

Capturing Techniques

Method 1: Browser Screenshot (Web Apps)

For web applications, use your browser's DevTools:

1. Open DevTools (F12 or Cmd+Option+I)

2. Click the device toolbar icon

3. Set dimensions (e.g., 1920 x 1080)

4. Right-click → "Capture screenshot"

Benefits: Exact dimensions, no OS chrome, clean edges.

Method 2: Full Page Capture

For long pages that don't fit on screen:

Chrome: DevTools → Cmd+Shift+P → "Capture full size screenshot" Firefox: Right-click → "Take Screenshot" → "Save full page" Safari: Develop menu → Show Web Inspector → Screenshot options Or use apps: CleanShot X, ShareX, or Fireshot extension.

Method 3: Native OS Tools

Mac:

• Cmd + Shift + 3: Full screen
• Cmd + Shift + 4: Selection
• Cmd + Shift + 4 + Space: Window

Windows:

• Win + Shift + S: Snip & Sketch
• Win + PrtScn: Full screen to file
• Alt + PrtScn: Active window

Linux:

• Varies by distro (gnome-screenshot, Flameshot, etc.)

Method 4: Dedicated Screenshot Apps

For professional results, consider:

CleanShot X (Mac - $29):

• Scrolling capture
• Annotation tools
• Auto-hide desktop icons
• Quick copy workflows

ShareX (Windows - Free):

• Every capture mode imaginable
• Built-in editor
• Automation workflows

Flameshot (Linux - Free):

• Annotation tools
• Easy customization

Making Screenshots Look Better

Tip 1: Increase Contrast

Screenshots with low contrast look washed out. If your UI is light:

• Use a darker background in your mockup
• Or increase saturation slightly

Tip 2: Capture at High Resolution

Always capture larger than needed. You can scale down; you can't scale up without blur.

Minimum: 2x your intended display size Ideal: 3x for maximum flexibility

Tip 3: Use Consistent Window Sizes

When capturing multiple screenshots:

• Use the same browser/window dimensions
• Maintain consistent zoom levels
• Keep UI in the same state (same sidebar width, etc.)

Tip 4: Mind Your Cursor

Decide whether to include the cursor:

• Include: For tutorials showing actions
• Exclude: For marketing/showcase images

Most tools let you toggle cursor visibility.

Tip 5: Check Notification States

Before capturing:

• Dismiss all notifications
• Check for unread badges
• Clear any error states (unless intentional)

Platform-Specific Tips

Screenshots for Social Media

• Capture wider than needed (you'll crop)
• Avoid tiny text that won't be readable
• Consider mobile viewing (60%+ of users)
• High contrast stands out in feeds

Screenshots for Documentation

• Consistent styling across all screenshots
• Clear focus on the relevant UI element
• Consider adding annotations after capture
• Version/date screenshots for maintenance

Screenshots for App Stores

• Follow exact dimension requirements
• Show real use cases, not empty states
• Focus on features that differentiate
• Test readability at thumbnail size

Quick Checklist

Before you capture:

• [ ] Unnecessary tabs closed?
• [ ] Bookmarks bar hidden?
• [ ] Realistic data displayed?
• [ ] Notifications dismissed?
• [ ] Correct window dimensions set?
• [ ] Right area of UI visible?
• [ ] High resolution enabled?

Related Reading

• 7 Screenshot Mistakes That Make Your Product Look Amateur - What to avoid
• Best Screenshot Size: Complete Guide - Dimension guide
• Best Screenshot Tools for Developers in 2025 - Tool recommendations
• How to Make a Mockup: Complete Beginner's Guide - Next steps after capture

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I take a high-quality screenshot?

Capture at the highest resolution possible, ideally 2-3x your intended display size. Use browser DevTools for exact dimensions, or dedicated screenshot apps like CleanShot X or ShareX. Export as PNG for screenshots with text or UI elements.

How do I make my screenshots look professional?

Clean up before capturing: hide browser clutter, use realistic data, and focus on the most important UI elements. Capture at high resolution, maintain consistent styling across screenshots, and add mockup frames with professional backgrounds.

What is the best tool for taking screenshots?

For Mac, CleanShot X is the gold standard ($29). For Windows, ShareX is powerful and free. For quick browser screenshots, Chrome/Firefox DevTools work well. For code screenshots, use Carbon or Ray.so.

How do I take a screenshot without the taskbar?

Use window-specific capture instead of full screen. On Mac: Cmd+Shift+4 then Space, then click the window. On Windows: Alt+PrtScn captures just the active window. Or use browser DevTools for web content without any OS elements.

How do I take a scrolling screenshot?

Use CleanShot X (Mac), ShareX (Windows), or browser extensions like GoFullPage. In Chrome DevTools: Cmd+Shift+P → "Capture full size screenshot". Firefox has built-in full page capture via right-click menu.

Conclusion

Better screenshots start before you click capture. Clean up your screen, use realistic data, and capture at high resolution.

The few extra minutes spent on preparation save hours of trying to fix bad screenshots later.

Start with clean captures. Everything else—mockups, frames, backgrounds—builds on that foundation.