Here at Popic, your favourite photos can become beautiful, real-life keepsakes in no time! But when it comes to printing, there are a few things to consider with your digital images. If you've ever had a photo turn out blurry when it looked clear on your screen, you know that printing photos isn't always straightforward. That's why we're here to help.
In this blog post, we'll explain the sizing of your digital image and what you can do to get the best results for your custom photo print - whether you're wanting to turn your memories into a 20x27inch photo print or some of our magnet tiles. Ready to transform your cherished moments into stunning photo prints? Let's get started!
Picking the Best Photo Size For Printing
When printing your photos, understanding the size of your digital image and how it relates to DPI (Dots Per Inch) is important for ensuring a high quality final print.
What is Photo Size?
The 'size' of your digital photo refers to its width and height, measured in pixels. For example, a digital photo might be 3024 pixels wide and 4032 pixels tall, which we write as 3024x4032.
Why Size Matters for Printing
Even though digital photos look similar in size on your device screen, their actual file size can vary significantly. This is because the device adjusts the photo to fit the screen. The size of your digital photo is important information, especially when you're thinking about printing; high-resolution images ensure clear, sharp prints, while low-resolution ones can appear pixelated and blurry.
Knowing the size of your digital photo helps you determine exactly how big you can print your image without losing quality
How to Check Photo Size on Different Devices
iPhone:
- Open the Photos app.
- Select the photo you want to check.
- Tap the information button (a circle with an "i" in the middle).
- You'll see the dimensions listed as Width x Height in pixels.
Android:
- Open your Gallery or Photos app.
- Select the photo you want to check.
- Tap on the 'More' button (usually represented by three dots or lines).
- Under the Details heading, you'll see the dimensions listed as Width x Height in pixels.
Desktop (Windows):
- Locate the photo file in your folders.
- Right-click on the file and select 'Properties.'
- Click on the 'Details' tab.
- Under the Image heading, you'll find the dimensions listed as Width x Height in pixels.
Mac:
- Locate the photo file in your folders.
- Right-click (or control-click) on the file and select 'Get Info.'
- Under the 'More Info' section, you'll see the dimensions listed as Width x Height in pixels.
Now that you know about photo size and how to check your photo size, let's talk about DPI and why it matters for printing.
Understanding DPI and Its Impact on Print Quality
DPI stands for Dots Per Inch. It measures the image resolution of your photo print when printed. Higher DPI means better, more detailed prints. For high-quality prints, 300 DPI is recommended.
Calculating the Right Image Size for 300 DPI
To figure out the right image size for a 300 DPI print, you simply multiply the desired print size in inches by 300.
For example:
If you want to print a photo at 20x27 inches:
- 20 inches x 300 DPI = 6000 pixels
- 27 inches x 300 DPI = 8100 pixels
- Therefore, your digital photo should be a minimum 6000x8100 pixels
Choosing the Right DPI for Your Prints
While 300 DPI is best for high quality photo prints, there are other options that can still produce beautiful results, including 150 DPI and 120 DPI. If your images do not meet the minimum resolution of 120DPI, our editing tools will display a message to notify you. Here’s an easy guide to help you make the best choices for your custom prints.
| Print Size (inches) | 120 DPI | 300 DPI |
| Canvas (8x12) | 960x1440 | 2400x3600 |
| Canvas (8x25) | 960x3000 | 2400x7500 |
| Canvas (12x16) | 1440x1920 | 3600x4800 |
| Canvas (12x36) | 1440x4320 | 3600x10800 |
| Decorations (3x3) | 360x360 | 900x900 |
| Greeting Card (6x6) | 720x720 | 1800x1800 |
| Keyring (2.2x2.2) | 264x264 | 660x660 |
| Magnet Tiles (2.2x2.2) | 264x264 | 660x660 |
| Mosaic Tiles (4.1x4.1) | 492x492 | 1230x1230 |
| Postcard (6x4) | 720x480 | 1800x1200 |
| Poster (8x12) | 960x1440 | 2400x3600 |
| Poster (12x16) | 1440x1920 | 3600x4800 |
| Poster (16x20) | 1920x2400 | 4800x6000 |
| Poster (20x27) | 2400x3240 | 6000x8100 |
| Retro Mini (2.8x3.4) | 336x408 | 840x1020 |
| Retro Mini Tall (2.4x3.4) | 288x408 | 720x1020 |
| Retro Standard (3.4x4.2) | 408x504 | 1020x1260 |
Please Note: This table is designed to be a guide only. Some of our products offer multiple layout options for photo boxes, and the photo size may vary based on layout choice. The sizes listed are based on single photo layouts.
Tips for Resizing Images
Resizing your images can have an impact on the final quality of your photo prints. When you enlarge a photo beyond its original size, you can lose detail, resulting in a blurry or pixelated image. On the other hand, reducing the size of a photo too much can strip away those fine details that make your memories vivid.
Here are some tips to ensure your images remain sharp and clear.
Avoid Over-Resizing
Don't stretch your image too far beyond its original dimensions. If your image was taken at a lower resolution, consider printing it at a smaller size.
Imagine you want to create a beautiful 20x27 inch print from your digital photo. To get high-quality results, your image needs to be at least 6000x8100 pixels for a 300 DPI print. But what if your photo is only 1500x2000 pixels?
Here’s what happens:
- Desired print size: 20x27 inches
- Image size needed for high quality (300 DPI): 6000x8100 pixels
- Your image size: 1500x2000 pixels
If you try to enlarge your 1500x2000 pixel image to a 20x27 inch print, it won't look good because the resolution (DPI) will be too low, under 100 DPI. Here’s a simple breakdown:
- Width calculation: 1500 pixels divided by 20 inches = 75 DPI
- Height calculation: 2000 pixels divided by 27 inches = 74 DPI
This means your image will be stretched too thinly, and the print will appear blurry. This resolution falls below the recommended threshold of 100 DPI. To ensure your print looks its best, consider reducing the print size to match the resolution of your photo.
By choosing a print size that matches the resolution of your image, you can avoid over-resizing and maintain the quality of your prints. This way, each memory is preserved beautifully, ready to be cherished.
Use High-Quality Images To Start
Start with the highest resolution photos possible. Most modern smartphones like the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra capture images with resolutions exceeding 48 megapixels. These high-quality photos provide plenty of detail, making them perfect for printing.
Below is a guide on what you can expect for different types of smartphones
| Phone Model | Camera Resolution | Pixels (Standard Portrait) |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max | 48 MP | 8064 x 6048 |
| iPhone 15 | 48 MP | 8064 x 6048 |
| iPhone 14 Pro | 48 MP | 8064 x 6048 |
| iPhone 14 | 12 MP | 4032 x 3024 |
| iPhone 13 Pro | 12 MP | 4032 x 3024 |
| iPhone 12 Pro | 12 MP | 4032 x 3024 |
| Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra |
200 MP | 16320 x 12240 |
| Samsung Galaxy S23 | 50 MP | 8192 x 6144 |
| Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra | 108 MP | 12000 x 9000 |
| Samsung Galaxy S22 | 50 MP | 8192 x 6144 |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | 108 MP | 12000 x 9000 |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 | 12 MP | 4032 x 3024 |
| Samsung Galaxy S20 | 12 MP | 4032 x 3024 |
| Google Pixel 7 Pro | 50 MP | 8160 x 6120 |
| OnePlus 11 Pro | 50 MP | 8192 x 6144 |
| Sony Xperia 1 V | 48 MP | 8000 x 6000 |
| Xiaomi Mi 13 Pro | 50 MP | 8192 x 6144 |
Ensuring High-Quality Photos on Your Phone
Modern smartphones have excellent cameras capable of capturing high-resolution images.
Here's how to make sure you're always snapping high-quality photos:
- Check Your Camera Settings: Ensure your camera is set to the highest resolution. On iPhones, go to Settings > Camera > Formats and select 'High Efficiency.' For Android, navigate to Camera Settings and choose the highest available resolution.
- Clean Your Lens: A clean lens ensures your photos are free from smudges and blurs.
- Good Lighting: Always try to capture images in good lighting conditions. Natural light is often the best.
- Ensure Your Shot is in Focus: Tap on the screen where you want the camera to focus. For most smartphones, tapping on the subject will adjust the focus and exposure. Take a moment to wait until the camera adjusts before snapping the picture.
By following these simple guidelines, you can ensure your photos are always of high quality, ready to be transformed into beautiful prints that you'll cherish for years to come.
Photo Editing and Transferring Tips
We know that many of us love to edit our photos, share them with family and friends, and move them across different platforms. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind.
- Keep the Original: Always save a copy of the original photo before editing, so you can revert back if needed.
- Export Settings: When done editing, export your images at their original size or a high DPI setting like 300 DPI for best quality.
- Transfer Images Carefully: Use cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud to transfer photos without losing resolution. Messaging apps like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger, compress images which can result in a loss of quality. If you need to use these methods, always check the image size and match it to the recommended print size for best results.
- Be Cautious with Screenshots: Screenshots have lower resolutions than original photos. Always check the size and quality before using them. Whenever possible, go back to the original photo to maintain detail and clarity.
Other Considerations for Printing Photos
When it comes to printing your cherished memories, we want to ensure that your prints turn out as beautifully as you envision, but there are some differences between what you see on your screen and what will appear in print. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Image Cropping and Zooming
Cropping an image to fit a smaller space can sometimes reduce its quality. When you crop, you're removing parts of the image, which can result in a loss of detail. Similarly, zooming in on an image can affect the resolution. Enlarging a small section of a photo might make it appear grainy or pixelated in the final print.
Screen vs. Final Print
There will be some differences between what you see on your screen and the final print. Screens use RGB (Red, Green, Blue) colour settings and emit light, which make images appear brighter and more vibrant.
In contrast, printers use CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) inks, and rely on reflected light. This can sometimes lead to subtle variations in colour and brightness. Additionally, screens often display finer details due to their higher resolution compared to many print materials.
Understanding Print Substrates
When printing your photos, the final appearance can vary depending on the material it is printed on. Different print substrates have unique characteristics, meaning a print on one type of material may look different from a print on another.
For instance, a photo printed on photo paper will have will appear differently to a photo printed on a magnet tile. So it's recommended to expect slight variations in colour, texture, and finish.
Smaller Products Considerations
When printing on smaller products like magnet tiles and Polaroid prints, the reduced space may limit visible detail. High-resolution images may lose some of their intricacies when scaled down.
We work hard to ensure accuracy, but some small differences between your preview and the final product are normal. By considering these factors - you’ll be well-equipped to create beautiful prints that capture and cherish your special moments perfectly.
Transforming your digital images into quality photo prints doesn't have to be difficult. By following the tips we've provided - understanding image size and DPI, avoiding over-resizing, and starting with high-quality photos - you can ensure your cherished memories are preserved beautifully.
At Popic, we believe in capturing and celebrating life's precious moments. Ready to turn your favourite memories into stunning prints? Explore our range of custom photo print options. Whether you're looking to create a family portrait or fun magnet tiles, we're here to help you share and cherish your special moments.
Start printing your memories with Popic now, and let us help you create keepsakes that you'll treasure forever.
Need more assistance? You can contact our friendly team HERE