Picture Perfect

Make sure your photos stay picture perfect and print-appropriate! Follow these quick and easy rules of thumb for photo resolution and learn how to play it safe every time.

Often, people think a photo that looks clear on screen or online will print high quality as well. This may not be the case. It all depends on the resolution of the photo, or details the imagine holds, and the scale to which the photo will be enlarged. A file will usually be fine if you need to reduce it; it’s enlarging it that can get you into trouble.

To better understand the restrictions and limitations, and in order to know just how much enlarging is too much, here is our trick: Never blow a file up more than its current resolution. For example, if a file is 72 dpi don’t enlarge it more than 72 percent; if it’s 250 dpi, don’t go any bigger than 250 percent and so forth.

Always remember to be thinking about your end product as well. If you are building at file at half size, you have to do double the math to make sure your photos will stay in top-notch quality. Still confused? Just remember, we are here to help. Anytime you are in doubt, send us the image in question. We can take a look at it and guide you through the process!