diff --git a/py/services/recipes/persistence_service.py b/py/services/recipes/persistence_service.py
index 078ac906..175f046c 100644
--- a/py/services/recipes/persistence_service.py
+++ b/py/services/recipes/persistence_service.py
@@ -279,10 +279,17 @@ class RecipePersistenceService:
         os.makedirs(recipes_dir, exist_ok=True)
 
         recipe_id = str(uuid.uuid4())
-        image_filename = f"{recipe_id}.png"
+        optimized_image, extension = self._exif_utils.optimize_image(
+            image_data=image_bytes,
+            target_width=self._card_preview_width,
+            format="webp",
+            quality=85,
+            preserve_metadata=True,
+        )
+        image_filename = f"{recipe_id}{extension}"
         image_path = os.path.join(recipes_dir, image_filename)
         with open(image_path, "wb") as file_obj:
-            file_obj.write(image_bytes)
+            file_obj.write(optimized_image)
 
         lora_stack = metadata.get("loras", "")
         lora_matches = re.findall(r"<lora:([^:]+):([^>]+)>", lora_stack)
diff --git a/py/utils/exif_utils.py b/py/utils/exif_utils.py
index 1c5a9f80..ff96703c 100644
--- a/py/utils/exif_utils.py
+++ b/py/utils/exif_utils.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import logging
 from typing import Optional
 from io import BytesIO
 import os
-from PIL import Image
+from PIL import Image, PngImagePlugin
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -86,9 +86,10 @@ class ExifUtils:
                 
                 # For PNG, try to update parameters directly
                 if img_format == 'PNG':
-                    # We'll save with parameters in the PNG info
-                    info_dict = {'parameters': metadata}
-                    img.save(image_path, format='PNG', pnginfo=info_dict)
+                    # Use PngInfo instead of plain dictionary
+                    png_info = PngImagePlugin.PngInfo()
+                    png_info.add_text("parameters", metadata)
+                    img.save(image_path, format='PNG', pnginfo=png_info)
                     return image_path
                 
                 # For WebP format, use PIL's exif parameter directly