Best Resolution for Printing: What is My File Size in Pixels?
Use our tool to determine the best file size for your design and produce the best print resolution.
How to Use the File Size Tool
In order for printed materials to look crisp and clear, it is recommended to use high resolution images. The resolution for printed materials is measured in DPI (dots per inch). The higher the DPI, the better the quality of the printed image.
Click the "Choose File" button in the online tool above to upload the design you want to check for pixel size. This will open a folder from your device.
Select the file from your device. The tool accepts both JPG and PNG formats.
Once the file is uploaded, you will immediately see its dimensions (width x height) in pixels. Additionally, the tool will provide recommended print sizes for your uploaded file.
#ILoveUPrinting: What is the best artwork resolution for printing?
Questions and Answers
Print resolution refers to the amount of detail an image will look once it’s printed. It's measured in dots per inch (DPI), which shows the number of ink dots a printer can use within a one-inch square. The higher the DPI, the clearer and sharper the details of the image will be. This also means that the lower the print resolution, the more pixelated the image will look.
When printing images, it’s highly recommended to use a resolution of 300 dpi for photos and 400 dpi for text to achieve high-quality prints for magazines, business cards, brochures, and other printed collaterals. This resolution lets the printer capture fine details accurately without making the file size too large. If you use less than 300 dpi, your images might look pixelated and lose detail, especially if they have intricate designs or text.
DPI (dots per inch) and PPI (pixels per inch) are both units used to measure image resolution. DPI measures the detail of a printed image while PPI measures the detail of a digital image by showing how many pixels are in one inch of a digital display. If you want to achieve high-quality prints, use DPI. For crisp images on digital screens, use PPI.
Enhancing File Resolution
When enhancing file resolution, there are several related key factors to consider:
Using the Right Image Size
It’s important to find the perfect balance between image size and resolution, as they are inversely related. When you increase the resolution, you need to reduce the size to maintain the image’s quality. On the other hand, enlarging an image makes its resolution drop, which leads to poor print quality. Remember also that low-resolution images may look pixelated or blurry, while overly high-resolution ones increase file size and can be difficult to store and print. To help you determine the right dimensions and resolution for your print size, you can use this chart as a guide.
Choosing a Color Mode
RGB (Red, Green, Blue) and CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) are two color modes used for images. RGB is used for electronic displays, while CMYK is used for printing. When enhancing resolution for print, always convert an image from RGB to CMYK, as this ensures color accuracy and can affect the overall quality of the printed image. Need help with converting RGB to CMYK? Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
Selecting an Appropriate Image Format
Choosing the right file format is essential for preserving image quality during printing. Formats like TIFF and PNG are ideal for enhancing resolution because they retain more detail and don't lose quality through compression, unlike JPEG. At UPrinting, we accept print-ready files in various formats. Check out our file format guide to learn about our requirements.
Image Upscaling
Image upscaling is increasing the resolution of an image. Effective upscaling uses advanced algorithms from various software to add pixels and enhance detail, making the image larger and more detailed while maintaining its quality. Keep in mind that the result of image upscaling depends on how good your starting image is. Working on sharp and high-res images will enhance them after upscaling, but using low-res images can make them grainier and less detailed.
How to Convert Inches to Pixels
Converting inches to pixels helps you figure out how many pixels an image needs based on its physical size in inches. Here’s the formula:
Inches x DPI = Pixels
For example, this is how you can calculate the pixels of a standard business card (2” x 3.5”) at 300 dpi:
2 (300) x 3.5 (300) = 600px x 1,050px
Here’s the computation for 400 dpi:
2 (400) x 3.5 (400) = 800px x 1,400px
If you need more examples, below is a table summarizing the computations for each business card dimension at both 300 dpi and 400 dpi resolutions:
| Dimensions | Business Card Size | Recommended File Size in Pixels for 300 DPI | Recommended File Size in Pixels for 400 DPI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.75" x 3.5" | Slim | 525px x 1,050px | 700px x 1,400px |
| 2” x 2” | Mini Square | 600px x 600px | 800px x 800px |
| 2" x 3.5" | US Standard | 600px x 1,050px | 800px x 1,400px |
| 2.125" x 3.375" | Euro Standard | 638px x 1,013px | 850px x 1,350px |
| 2.5" x 2.5" | Square | 750px x 750px | 1,000px x 1,000px |
| 3" x 3" | Jumbo Square | 900px x 900px | 1,200px x 1,200px |
Understanding print resolution, file sizes, and color modes is essential for achieving high-quality prints. Whether you're working on brochures, banners, or postcards, learning these basics will help you achieve professional results with ease. By following our guide, you can ensure your images will always come out sharp, clear, and vibrant.
