DPI in a Nutshell
The most important measurement to keep in mind when defining the right resolution to upload is DPI (or Dots Per Inch). This is defined as the number of individual dots that can be placed in a line within the span of 1 inch (2.54 cm).
Most labs work with DPIs that range from a minimum of 150 DPI to an optimal resolution of 300 DPI.
This means that if your most extensive print is 10x7”, your photo file should (at 300 DPI) be 3000 pixels on the long edge.
Uploading your photos with a resolution of 3500 pixels on the long edge should be sufficient to cover most print sizes and products.
We've compiled a list of popular print sizes and their recommended resolutions for your convenience:
Picture Sizes (300 dpi) | Poster Sizes (< 300 dpi) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Print Size | Best Resolution (px) | Print Size | Best Resolution (px) | |
| 3.5 x 5 | 1050 x 1500 | 8 x 10 | 2400 x 3000 | |
| 4 x 4 | 1200 x 1200 | 8 x 12 | 2400 x 3600 | |
| 4 x 5 | 1200 x 1500 | 8 x 16 | 2400 x 4800 | |
| 4 x 6 | 1200 x 1800 | 8 x 20 | 2400 x 6000 | |
| 4 x 8 | 1200 x 2400 | 8 x 24 | 2400 x 7200 | |
| 4 x 9 | 1200 x 2700 | 8.5 x 11 | 2550 x 3300 | |
| 4 x 12 | 1200 x 3600 | 9 x 12 | 2700 x 3600 | |
| 5 x 5 | 1500 x 1500 | 10 x 10 | 3000 x 3000 | |
| 5 x 7 | 1500 x 2100 | 10 x 12 | 3000 x 3600 | |
| 5 x 10 | 1500 x 3000 | 10 x 13 | 3000 x 3900 | |
| 5 x 15 | 1500 x 4500 | 10 x 14 | 3000 x 4200 | |
| 6 x 8 | 1800 x 2400 | 10 x 15 | 3000 x 4500 | |
| 6 x 9 | 1800 x 2700 | 10 x 16 | 3000 x 4800 | |
| 7 x 10 | 2100 x 3000 | 10 x 20 | 3000 x 6000 | |
| 8 x 8 | 2400 x 2400 | 10 x 26 | 3000 x 7800 | |
| 10 x 30 | 3000 x 9000 | |||
| 11 x 14 | 3300 x 4200 | |||
| 11 x 17 | 3300 x 5100 | |||
| 12 x 12 | 3600 x 3600 | |||
| 12 x 16 | 3600 x 4800 | |||
| 12 x 18 | 3600 x 5400 | |||
| 12 x 20 | 3600 x 6000 | |||
| 12 x 24 | 3600 x 7200 | |||
| 12 x 36 | 3600 x 10800 | |||
| 13 x 20 | 3600 x 6000 | |||
| 14 x 14 | 4200 x 4200 | |||
| 14 x 22 | 4200 x 6600 | |||
| 15 x 30 | 4500 x 9000 | |||
| 16 x 16 | 4800 x 4800 | |||
| 16 x 20 | 4800 x 6000 | |||
| 16 x 24 | 4800 x 7200 | |||
| 18 x 24 | 5400 x 7200 | |||
| 20 x 20 | 6000 x 6000 | |||
| 20 x 24 | 6000 x 7200 | |||
| 20 x 30 | 6000 x 9000 | |||
| 20 x 40 | 6000 x 12000 | |||