A post-processing method reduces artifacts in block-coded digital images. The method includes: dividing an input image into a plurality of image blocks; for each image block, estimating global features of said image block providing information on an average content of image edges along the horizontal and vertical directions of said image block; for each pixel of an image block under examination, estimating local features for said pixel providing information on the content of image edges along the horizontal and vertical directions of an image area near said pixel; modifying the value of said pixel according to both said global features of the image block to which said pixel belongs and said local features of the image area near said pixel.