A photograph that looks sharp on a phone can print soft, dark or blocky if it has not been prepared for the size and material of the final gift. The screen hides many problems that paper reveals, such as low resolution, awkward crops and colors that drift when the image leaves the device. A few checks before you order turn a good photo into a good print, and they take only a few minutes for each image.
This guide explains how to check resolution for a print size, how to crop without losing important details, how to adjust color and brightness for print and how to share files with a printing service. It describes general practice rather than the requirements of any specific printer. Read the file specifications your provider lists, since they vary, and check a proof before the full order is printed.
Read this if you are preparing photos for a print gift and want to check resolution, crops and color before ordering. You can skip it if you already prepare files for printing and know the provider’s specification.
Check the resolution for the print size
Resolution is the number of pixels in the image. A larger print needs more pixels to look sharp, because the pixels are spread across a bigger area. Many printers suggest around three hundred pixels per inch for close viewing, though a large print viewed from a distance can look good at a lower figure. To estimate, divide the pixel dimensions of the photo by the print size in inches. A photo that is much smaller than the print size will look soft.
Do not rely on a file size or a megapixel count alone. Check the dimensions of the image itself, and remember that cropping reduces the pixel count. A small crop from a large file can still be sharp, while a heavy crop from a small file will lose detail.
Crop with the final frame in mind
Cropping changes the composition and the proportions of the image. Every print size has its own shape, and a photo taken in one shape may need trimming to fit another. Check the aspect ratio of the print and crop the photo to match before you order. A crop that cuts off the top of a head or a key element of the scene can ruin the gift, so review each crop carefully.
Leave a little room around the edges for framing and for any trimming that the printer may need. Many services print a small amount beyond the image area, and important details should stay clear of the edge.
Adjust color and brightness for print
Screens and paper handle color differently. A photo that looks bright on a monitor may print darker, and a vivid blue may look muted. Adjust brightness and contrast slightly so that the image is a little lighter than you would like on screen, since prints often look darker than expected. Check the skin tones in portraits, because they are easily thrown off by a color cast.
If the printing service offers a color profile, use it when you prepare the file. Ask the provider for their recommendation, and follow it. Keep an original copy of every file, so you can make changes if the proof does not look right.
Sharing files with a printer
Upload the highest quality version of the photo you have, and avoid sending images that have been heavily compressed by messaging apps or social media. Check the file format the provider requires, usually a common image type, and confirm the color space if they ask. Name your files clearly so you can identify them later.
Check the upload terms, too. Make sure you have the right to print the photos, and only print images of other people with their permission. Our guide to photo book sizes and paper choices shows how these checks apply to albums, and canvas, metal or paper prints explains how each material responds to the same photo.
Always order a proof
A proof is the most reliable check. Order one print of the most important image before you order a full set, and look at it in the room where it will be displayed. Check the color, the sharpness and the crop, and make any changes before printing the rest. A proof costs a little more, but it prevents the disappointment of a gift that does not match the photograph.
Editing for print and sharpening
Light sharpening can help a print look crisp, but too much creates halos and harsh edges. Apply sharpening to the final print size rather than to the original, and check the result at 100 percent zoom. Adjust the exposure slightly brighter than the screen version, and keep the highlights from clipping. A soft-proof preview in your editor can show how the image will look on paper, if the software supports it.
Scanning older prints
Old prints can be scanned to create a digital file for printing. Use the highest resolution the scanner allows, typically at least 300 dots per inch for prints you plan to enlarge. Clean the glass and the print before scanning, and place the print flat to avoid distortion. Color-correct the scan carefully, since old prints may have faded or yellowed, and keep the original scan as a master copy.
The short version
Check the resolution for the print size, crop with the final frame in mind and adjust color and brightness for print rather than screen. Share the highest quality file the provider accepts, confirm you have the right to print the image and always order a proof for important gifts. A few careful checks turn a good photograph into a print that looks as good in the frame as it did on the screen.
Takeaways
- Check resolution against the print size.
- Crop with the final frame in mind.
- Always order a proof for an important gift.
Choosing a format? Our guide to canvas, metal and paper prints explains how each material behaves.
