Case Study: Deploying a Serverless Image CDN for Creative Teams (2026)

Case Study: Deploying a Serverless Image CDN for Creative Teams (2026)

Hook: Creative teams demand instant visual feedback and localized transforms. In this case study we built a serverless image CDN to deliver transforms near users, reduce origin load, and speed rendering for creative workflows.

Design goals

• Low-latency image transforms at PoPs.
• Reduced origin compute and storage egress.
• Simple integration for editing pipelines.

Implementation

We used serverless edge functions for transforms, cached results in an adaptive TTL cache, and provided an S3-backed origin for master assets. This echoes lessons from Clicker Cloud’s production CDN: How We Built a Serverless Image CDN: Lessons from Production at Clicker Cloud (2026).

Outcomes and metrics

• Origin requests reduced by over 60%.
• Median image load time dropped by 45% for global users.
• Developer feedback loops shortened as transforms were available instantly during editing sessions.

Key lessons

1. Cache transforms aggressively but invalidate intelligently.
2. Provide predictable billing by offering transform tiers and size caps.
3. Offer simple SDKs to integrate transforms into authoring tools.

Conclusion

Serverless image CDNs are a mature, cost-effective way to deliver transforms close to users. For hosting providers, offering a managed transform layer is a clear value-add for creative teams.