gdk-pixbuf provides several methods for scaling images and compositing one image over another or over a checkerboard pattern. The methods are divided into "simple" and "industrial-strength" versions. The simple ones are sufficient most of the time, and underneath they use the more advanced ones transparently. To make scaled copy of an image, this method can be used: ]]> It takes the desired dimensions to scale to and the interpolation type constant, which can be: GDK_INTERP_NEAREST (fastest and lowest quality mode) GDK_INTERP_BILINEAR (best quality/speed balance) GDK_INTERP_TILES (resembles PostScript image operator) GDK_INTERP_HYPER (slowest and highest quality mode) The method will scale the image according to the specified interpolation algorithm and return the result.