How to Sanitize Your Professional Portfolio for ArtStation and Behance

For digital artists, photographers, and 3D creators, platforms like ArtStation and Behance are essential for finding work. But every time you upload a “high-resolution” export of your latest project, you are also uploading a detailed record of your professional setup.

Hidden metadata can reveal your exact software versions, your hardware specs, and in some cases, your physical location or the names of the clients you’ve been working with.

The “Software Fingerprint” Risk

When you export a JPEG or PNG from professional software, the file often includes “Creator Tool” and “Software” tags. While this seems harmless, it tells potential competitors exactly which versions of which tools you are using.

More dangerously, if you’ve used a “Save for Web” feature, the file might still contain a history of the file’s path on your computer, which can include your local username or project folders.

Location Data in Reference Photos

If you are a photographer or a 3D artist using real-world reference photos, those images almost certainly contain GPS data. Uploading them to a public portfolio can reveal exactly where you’ve been shooting, potentially compromising a sensitive location or your own home studio.

How to Sanitize Your Portfolio with Strip

The professional way to handle this is to make metadata removal the final step of your export process.

1. Batch Select Your Exports

Once you’ve finished your project exports, select them in your Android gallery.

2. Run a Full Audit

Use Strip to see exactly what tags are currently embedded. You might be surprised to see your full name or your computer’s OS version listed in the IPTC or XMP headers.

3. Surgical Scrub

Perform a complete scrub of all EXIF, XMP, and IPTC data. This leaves your visual work 100% intact but makes the file “silent” regarding its history.

4. Upload with Confidence

Your portfolio now represents your talent, not your technical data footprint.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does ArtStation remove metadata automatically?

ArtStation processes images for their viewer, but they often offer a “Download Original” or high-res view that can serve the file exactly as you uploaded it — metadata and all.

Should I keep ‘Copyright’ tags?

With Strip Pro, you can use selective scrubbing to keep your copyright and artist name while removing the sensitive GPS, device, and software history tags. This allows you to protect your ownership while protecting your privacy.

Does removing metadata affect image quality?

No. Strip works on the file’s header, not the pixels. Your portfolio will remain crisp and professional, but without the hidden data trail.