Abstract: A method and encoder for encoding target images(s) into an image atlas file. Image elements present in the target images are identified. A set of unique image elements is created including each unique image element identified in the one or more target images and only one instance of each non-unique image element identified in the one or more target images as a corresponding unique image element. The unique image elements of the set are arranged into the image atlas file in a manner that empty spaces in the image atlas file are reduced. A metadata file is generated corresponding to the image atlas file, the metadata file comprising meta information of each target image, wherein meta information of a given target image is indicative of locations and dimensions of unique image elements in the image atlas file that are required to compose the given target image.