1. Start with a Slim Base Image: Begin with a minimalistic base image like Alpine Linux or Scratch to minimize unnecessary layers. Use multi-stage builds to compile code and copy only essential artifacts to the final image.

2. Minimize Dockerfile Layers: Reduce the number of layers in your Dockerfile by combining commands whenever possible. Use 'RUN' commands with '&&' to chain multiple actions in a single step.

3. Clean Up After Each Step: Remove temporary files and unnecessary artifacts within the same 'RUN' command to prevent them from being included in the final image.

4. Use .dockerignore: Exclude unnecessary files and directories from the build context using a .dockerignore file. This reduces data sent to the Docker daemon and keeps image size down.

5. Optimize Package Managers: Use package manager flags like '--no-cache' or '--purge' to prevent the accumulation of unnecessary files in your image.

6. Choose Smaller Alternatives: Opt for smaller counterparts of tools or libraries when feasible. For instance, use BusyBox utilities instead of full-sized GNU counterparts.

7. Optimize Image Layer Ordering: Arrange Dockerfile instructions so that frequently changing parts come later. Docker can then reuse cached layers for stable components.

8. Leverage Multi-Stage Builds: Separate building and running stages. Copy only necessary artifacts from the build stage into the runtime stage, leaving behind development dependencies.

9. Use Image Scanning Tools: Identify vulnerabilities and outdated packages using Docker image scanning tools. Keeping packages up-to-date enhances security and can reduce image size.

10. Smaller Base Image for Production: Use a smaller base image for the final production image to keep it lean and secure, while maintaining development tools for the build phase.

11. Regularly Review and Prune: Periodically review and prune unused images and containers on your Docker host to free up disk space using commands like 'docker image prune' and 'docker container prune.'

12. Experiment and Test: Continuously test your images to ensure they meet size and performance goals.

13. Creative Use of Multi-Stage Builds: Create multiple intermediate stages for different purposes, such as building assets or dependencies, and copy only essential parts into the final image.

14. Strategic Use of Image Layer Caching: Place less frequently changing dependencies earlier in your Dockerfile to take advantage of Docker's layer caching mechanism.

15. Compress Artifacts: If applicable, compress application assets or files before copying them into the image to significantly reduce image size.

16. Remove Unnecessary Labels and Metadata: Minimize unnecessary metadata in your Docker images using the LABEL and ENV instructions sparingly.

17. Mindful System Updates: When updating your base image, only pull in necessary updates to avoid increasing the image size unnecessarily.

18. Explore Alternative Base Images: Consider lightweight base images like Distroless or Minideb as alternatives to Alpine.

19. Use Static Linking: If possible, statically compile binaries to reduce dependencies and make the image more self-contained.

20. Use Environment Variables for Configuration: Pass configuration through environment variables instead of storing configuration files inside the image to reduce size and increase flexibility.

21. Automate Image Building and Pruning: Implement CI/CD pipelines for automated image building and deployment. Use scripts to clean up old images and containers periodically.

22. Explore Image Squashing Tools: Consider using tools like "docker-squash" to reduce the number of layers and squash them into one, significantly reducing image size.

23. Monitor and Benchmark: Regularly monitor Docker image sizes and benchmark them against performance metrics to find the right balance between size and functionality, improving deployment times and security.