The Picsart GIMP plugin provides background removal, image upscaling, API-key setup and balance checking from GIMP. Check compatibility before installing the source from the official repository.
Compatibility comes first
The repository source checked on November 6, 2026 imports gimpfu and urllib2, which belong to the older GIMP/Python plugin environment. The old documentation’s blanket “GIMP 2.10 or higher / Python 3.6 or higher / Linux, macOS or Windows” statement is not a verified compatibility matrix. Do not assume this code works in GIMP 3 or a current Python 3 environment.
The historical Flatpak instruction was flatpak install flathub org.gimp.GIMP. Flatpak is a Linux installation route, and installing its current GIMP package does not establish compatibility with this legacy plugin. Use a plugin release explicitly compatible with your GIMP installation; if none is documented, ask the repository maintainer before changing your environment.
Install a compatible plugin version
- Download the appropriate source/release from the official Picsart GIMP repository. The source checkout command is:
git clone https://github.com/PicsArt/picsart-gimp-plugin
- In GIMP, open Preferences and locate Folders → Plug-ins (the parent menu varies by operating system).
- Use the user plug-ins directory and follow the repository instructions for the compatible version. The original instructions place the Python plugin files in that directory.
- Restart GIMP and confirm the Picsart plugin commands appear. If they do not, check version/runtime compatibility and plugin-loading errors before proceeding.
Connect your Picsart account
Use the API key for the intended Picsart account. Open the plugin’s Set API Key command and enter it there. The checked legacy implementation stores the key in a local file in the user home directory; keep it out of shared files, screenshots and repository commits.
Use the commands
- Remove Background: open a supported image and use Filters → Picsart Plugin → Remove Background. Inspect the returned cutout.
- Upscale Image: select the image/layer and choose the upscale command. Use an option offered by that version, then inspect details and dimensions.
- Get Balance: use the balance command to check the connected API account before processing more images.
Menu labels can differ by plugin version. Keep the original image separately. The checked removal script relies on a saved filename and recognizes .jpg, .png, .tiff, .webp and .mpo extensions; an unsaved image or another extension may fail before the API request.
Troubleshooting
If commands are missing, investigate plugin/runtime compatibility. For request failures, check the API key, credits, network access and supported input. Include GIMP/plugin versions and a redacted error when asking for help. Do not install an obsolete runtime solely to satisfy an unverified old guide.
Related product information: Picsart for GIMP, Commerce and Momentum.