Image to Print Size (Max Print Calculator)
Find out the maximum print size for your digital image. Calculate strict dimensions for Best (300 DPI), Good (150 DPI), and Fair (72 DPI) quality.
Maximum Print Sizes
Best Quality
300 DPIIdeal for handheld items like photos, magazines, and business cards.
Good Quality
150 DPIPerfect for posters & wall art viewed from 3 feet away.
Max Limit
72 DPIOnly for screens & billboards (20ft+ viewing distance).
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How Large Can You Print?
It is the most common question in photography: "I hav e this photo on my phone, can I print it as a poster?"
The answer lies in the relationship between Pixels and DPI. Your digital image is made of a fixed grid of colored squares (pixels). When you print, you decide how tightly to pack those squares together (DPI).
The 3 Quality Standards
Not all prints need to be perfect. The distance of the viewer determines the quality you need. We break it down into three tiers:
The "Magazine Standard". No visible dots.
- Fine Art Prints
- Brochures
- Business Cards
Sharp from 2-3 feet away.
- Movie Posters
- Canvas Wrap
- Large Calendars
Sharp from 10 feet away.
- Billboards
- Street Banners
- Bus Stops
The Megapixel Myth
Camera companies love to market "Megapixels" (MP), but what do they mean for print? One megapixel is one million pixels.
Here is a cheat sheet for common camera resolutions and their maximum print size at 300 DPI (Photo Quality):
| Quality | Resolution | Max 300 DPI Print |
|---|---|---|
| 12 MP (iPhone) | 4000 x 3000 | 10" x 13" (A4) |
| 24 MP (DSLR) | 6000 x 4000 | 13" x 20" (A3+) |
| 45 MP (Pro) | 8192 x 5464 | 18" x 27" (A2) |
Understanding the Limit: You can print a 12MP iPhone photo on a giant billboard. Why? because billboards are printed at ~50 DPI. But you cannot print that same photo as a 24x36 inch fine art gallery print—it will look soft and blurry up close.
How to Prepare Images for Print
- Check your Dimensions: Use the calculator above. If your image is 1000px wide, do not try to print it 10 inches wide. It will look terrible.
- Convert to CMYK (Optional): Screens use RGB (Internal Light). Printers use CMYK (Ink on Paper). Colors often look duller in CMYK. If you are printing professionally, convert your file to CMYK profile (Fogra39 or US Web Coated) to preview the color shift.
- Add Bleed: If your image goes to the edge of the paper, add 3mm (0.125") of extra image on all sides. This prevents white hairlines when the paper is cut.
- Export Correctly: Save as a maximum quality JPG or TIFF. Avoid compressing your file size if you want sharp details.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do megapixels affect print size?
Megapixels (MP) are simply the total number of pixels in an image (Width x Height). A 12MP photo has 12 million pixels. Generally, more megapixels enable larger prints. However, a sharp 12MP photo is better than a blurry 50MP photo.
What is the maximum size I can print an iPhone photo?
Most modern iPhones take 12MP photos (4032 x 3024). At photo quality (300 DPI), this prints beautifully up to 10 x 13 inches. At poster quality (150 DPI), you can stretch it to 20 x 26 inches.
Can I print a 1000px image on a T-shirt?
It depends on the design size. To cover a full chest area (10-12 inches wide), you really need at least 3000px width. A 1000px image will only be about 3.3 inches wide at full quality.
Why do my photos look pixelated when printed?
This happens when you print an image larger than its resolution allows. If you stretch a small image to fill a large page, the printer has to resize these pixels into large squares, creating that blocky 'Lego' look.
What is the difference between Screen Size and Print Size?
Screens have low density (72-96 PPI), so images look huge. Printers have high density (300 DPI), so images shrink. A 1920x1080 HD wallpaper fills your monitor but produces only a small 6x3 inch postcard print.
Is '300 DPI' the same as '300 PPI'?
Technically no, but effectively yes. PPI (Pixels Per Inch) is the screen term; DPI (Dots Per Inch) is the print term. In digital design, just treat them as the same requirement.
Do I need 300 DPI for canvas printing?
Canvas is textured, which forgives lower resolution. You can often get excellent results with 150-200 DPI on canvas because the fabric weave hides minor imperfections.
How do I calculate max print size manually?
Divide your pixel dimensions by 300. Example: 3000px / 300 = 10 inches. This gives you the maximum 'Photo Quality' size in inches.
What format should I send to the printer?
High-quality JPG (least compression) or TIFF (lossless) are best for photos. PDF is standard for documents and vectors. Avoid GIF or compressed PNGs for print.
Does upscaling (AI) actually work for print?
AI upscalers (like Topaz Gigapixel) can double or triple your resolution with decent results. They are much better than standard stretching, but standard 300 DPI native capture is always superior.