Print files
Print resolution: a pixel table for paper formats
Print viewed up close (flyers, posters, photos) needs 300 DPI at print size. The pixel count follows from the formula: pixels = size in mm ÷ 25.4 × DPI. An A3 poster at 300 DPI is 3508 × 4961 px.
- Formula
- px = mm ÷ 25.4 × DPI
- Close up
- 300 DPI: flyers, business cards, posters
- From a distance
- 100–150 DPI: banners, billboards, wall murals
- Minimum
- Below ~150 DPI pixels show up close
Table: pixels per format
| Format | Size | 300 DPI | 150 DPI |
|---|---|---|---|
| A5 | 148 × 210 mm | 1748 × 2480 px | 874 × 1240 px |
| A4 | 210 × 297 mm | 2480 × 3508 px | 1240 × 1754 px |
| A3 | 297 × 420 mm | 3508 × 4961 px | 1754 × 2480 px |
| A2 | 420 × 594 mm | 4961 × 7016 px | 2480 × 3508 px |
| A1 | 594 × 841 mm | 7016 × 9933 px | 3508 × 4967 px |
| A0 | 841 × 1189 mm | 9933 × 14043 px | 4967 × 7022 px |
| Poster 50 × 70 | 500 × 700 mm | 5906 × 8268 px | 2953 × 4134 px |
| Poster 70 × 100 | 700 × 1000 mm | 8268 × 11811 px | 4134 × 5906 px |
Sizes without bleed. With bleed, add a few millimetres to each side before converting.
A phone photo: which format is it enough for
A 4000 × 3000 px (12 MP) photo has 300 DPI at about 34 × 25 cm, a bit more than A4. On a 50 × 70 cm poster it gives about 145 DPI, enough when viewed from a metre. At 100 × 70 cm it is about 100 DPI.
The designer in the shop calculates this for every photo and warns the customer when the print resolution drops below the minimum set by the shop.
Frequently asked questions
Can I increase a photo’s resolution?
Changing the DPI value in a program without adding pixels does nothing. Upscaling tools (including AI-based ones) add pixels, but cannot recover detail the photo never had.
What does 72 DPI in a file mean?
It is just a value stored in the file. What counts is the pixel count and print size: 3508 px over 297 mm is 300 DPI whatever the DPI field says.
How many DPI for a banner?
Usually 100–150 DPI at final size, because a banner is viewed from a few metres. More in the article on large-format resolution.
See also
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