Adobe Folds Topaz Labs Into Its Creative Business

Adobe announced on Thursday that it has agreed to acquire Topaz Labs, a company known for AI-driven image and video enhancement tools, and will bring it under the umbrella of its creative business. The move adds another layer of AI capability to Adobe's existing suite of editing products.

Topaz Labs' Background in Enhancement Technology

A Two-Decade Track Record

Topaz Labs has been building tools for improving videos and images for more than 20 years. The company's longevity in this space, combined with its recent AI development, played into Adobe's decision to bring it in-house. Topaz also picked up an Emmy award last year recognizing its production technology.

Astra and Wonder: Topaz's Proprietary AI Models

In recent years, Topaz Labs has shifted toward developing its own AI models rather than relying solely on enhancement techniques. Two flagship products came out of that effort: Astra, built for AI-based video upscaling, and Wonder, designed for retouching and enhancing still images.

Making Large AI Models Run on Everyday Hardware

Beyond its enhancement models, Topaz Labs has also developed technology aimed at letting large AI video models run efficiently on consumer-grade GPUs, rather than requiring specialized or enterprise-level hardware. That focus on accessibility is part of what makes the company attractive to Adobe.

How Adobe Will Integrate Topaz's Tools

Firefly and Creative Cloud Get Topaz's Models

Adobe already includes some of Topaz's tools within its Creative Cloud suite. Following the acquisition, the company plans to fold Topaz's AI models directly into its Firefly AI application, as well as other parts of its broader image and video editing toolset.

Topaz Tools Will Still Be Available Standalone

Adobe confirmed that Topaz's products won't disappear as independent offerings. Customers will still be able to access Topaz's tools as stand-alone services through Topaz's own website, separate from their integration into Adobe's apps.

Adobe Leadership on the Acquisition's Purpose

Deepa Subramaniam, who serves as VP of product marketing for Creative Cloud at Adobe, explained that professionals working with a mix of real-world footage and AI-generated clips can lean on Topaz's tools for tasks like sharpening details, cutting down noise, and restoring older archival footage.

Subramaniam also pointed to Topaz Labs' know-how in getting complex AI models to run efficiently on local devices, calling it a capability that should help Adobe offer quicker, more responsive tools while making advanced AI more affordable and accessible for creative professionals. She added that Topaz Labs has built trust across a wide range of creative disciplines, including designers, video editors, photographers, and enterprise creative teams.

Competing With Canva and Blackmagic Design

This acquisition comes as Adobe faces stiff competition from Canva and from Blackmagic Design, the company behind DaVinci Resolve, both of which operate in the image and video editing market. Adobe has been adding AI features across its entire app lineup and built Firefly specifically as an AI-centered media editing studio. Picking up companies like Topaz Labs fits into a broader strategy: keeping users inside Adobe's ecosystem instead of giving them a reason to switch to competing software for editing and enhancement work.

Deal Timeline

Adobe said it expects the acquisition to close during the second half of 2026.